Renewables dominate 2025’s newly installed generating capacity

On Wednesday, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released its numbers on what was built in 2025. And much as we saw in the US, solar power is the primary driver of change. The numbers show that the world installed an average of 1.4 gigawatts of solar capacity every day last year, for a total of 511 GW. That brings the total solar capacity up to 2.4 Terawatts, making it the largest single source of renewable capacity by far, at more than a Terawatt above either wind or hydro.

Obviously, the actual power generated will be less than the rated capacity. And because solar panels have become so cheap, the economics now favor installing panels in areas that get far less sunlight—places in which photovoltaics would have been a questionable decision just five years earlier. So we’re likely to see the energy produced for each unit of capacity (termed the capacity factor) decline over the coming years.

European country vows to give homeowners ‘free electricity’ instead of switching off wind turbines

Europe’s outdated and under-invested energy grid means huge amounts of renewable energy are wasted every year.

The case for renewable energy is stronger than ever, as the war on Iran continues to highlight the dangers of fossil fuel dependency.

While Brent crude, the world benchmark for oil prices, dipped yesterday morning (26 March) amid rising hopes of de-escalation, barrel prices have exceeded $100 (around €86.38) per barrel several times since the conflict began. Before the US-Israel war on Iran, oil prices were under €63 per barrel.

Much of the surge has been blamed on the Strait of Hormuz’s effective closure. This is one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel chokepoints, carrying around one-fifth of global oil supplies.

Analysts warn that oil prices won’t “snap back” straight after the war ends, especially if more energy infrastructure is targeted.

Heat pumps for all new homes and plug-in solar in green tech drive

From 2028, all new homes in England must have solar panels covering 40% of the ground floor and either a heat pump or connection to a heat network. Smaller plug-in solar panels for balconies will soon be sold in UK supermarkets, pending updated safety rules. The measures aim to boost energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, though developers warn of costs and challenges. Scotland already banned gas heating for new homes in 2022.

Energy bills coming down thanks to government action, as Prime Minister vows to bear down on cost of living

Households across Britain will benefit from cheaper energy bills this spring, thanks to actions taken by the government – putting money in working people’s pockets in a major step forward in tackling the cost of living.

Ofgem has confirmed the price cap will fall by 7% from 1 April, driven by the government’s action to remove an average of £150 of costs off bills. 

This intervention at the Budget – including scrapping the Energy Company Obligation scheme, which was no longer fit for purpose – was only possible due to the choices made to ask the wealthy to pay their fair share, in order to tackle the cost of living for ordinary families.

After energy bills rocketed under the previous government, average energy bills were lower in 2025 than 2024 in real terms – and now will be even lower in the second quarter of 2026.

Billpayers to start benefitting from an average of £150 off the costs of energy bills from April onwards.

Starting April 1, 2026, UK households will see a significant reduction in energy costs as the government implements strategic reforms to the energy price cap. The average annual energy bill is projected to fall to £1,641, representing a 7% decrease (approximately £117) for typical dual-fuel households.

This reduction is largely driven by a major shift in how environmental and social initiatives are funded. By ending the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme funding and removing 75% of costs associated with the Renewables Obligation (RO) from direct consumer billing, the government has successfully stripped an average of £150 in policy levies from the annual bill. These costs will now be absorbed through general taxation rather than direct levies, providing immediate relief to consumers while maintaining the UK’s commitment to energy transition.