World:
¶ “Severe Storms In France Leave At Least Two Dead And Over 50,000 Homes Without Power” • Thirty départements in central and eastern France were put on orange alert for thunderstorms on Thursday, with a risk of large hail. Power grid operator Enedis said nearly 53,000 households were affected by power outages following the severe storms. [Euronews]
¶ “Brussels To Double Electrification Target In Bid To Cut Fossil Fuel Consumption” • The EU’s economy should reach a 46% electrification target in transport, industry, and buildings by 2040 to cut €260 billion per year in imported fossil fuel costs, the EU Commission said. It also unveiled a set of proposals to ease the process. [Euronews]
¶ “International Flights Set To Pay Carbon Costs Under EU’s Carbon Market Review From 2029” • The EU’s revised its carbon market rules to accelerate progress toward its climate goals. The new rules say international flights coming to the EU from origins within 5,000 km (3,100 miles) will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions starting in 2029. [Euronews]
¶ “India Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Train Built In The Country” • India rolled out its first indigenously built, hydrogen-powered train, a move aimed at expanding use of clean energy in its vast rail network. The train has two driving cars powered by hydrogen and eight passenger coaches. It will operate in the northern state of Haryana. [ABC News]
¶ “Australia Nails It Again, This Time On Large Data Centers” • Australia has come to a solution to the energy needs for AI data centers. It’s quite a common-sense solution, but it’s something others haven’t yet been doing. Australia is now on the verge of requiring that large AI data centers secure their own new clean energy supply. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla’s Offensive In South America Continues As The Brand Arrives In Uruguay, Cuts Prices In Chile” • Seven months ago, Tesla arrived in the Colombian market looking to compete aggressively. Now the brand has entered the Uruguayan market at similarly competitive costs, and has reduced its prices in Chile by up to 25%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ocean Winds Secures Go-Ahead For The 2-GW Caledonia Offshore Wind” • Ocean Winds has secured planning approval from Scottish ministers for the 2-GW Caledonia wind farm in the Moray Firth. The developer submitted separate applications for the 77-turbine Caledonia North and 78-turbine Caledonia South sites in November 2024. [reNews]
¶ “Siemens Is To Unite Energy Its Businesses Under New Brand Omterra” • Siemens Energy announced that it would unite its Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy brands under the single name Omterra. The Omterra brand will be particularly active in the wind power, transmission, and other renewable energy markets. [Solar Power World]
¶ “UN Says Climate Change Intensified Deadly West Africa Floods” • A UN-backed analysis by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change greatly increased the severity and likelihood of the June floods in coastal West Africa. Rainfall more intense than historical averages is roughly five times as likely as in pre-industrial times. [MSN]
¶ “UK’s Nuclear Plants Face Risks Of AI-Powered Cyber-Attacks And Insider Threats” • Civil nuclear power plants in the UK now face cyber-attacks enhanced by AI and insider threats, according to the government’s National Risk Register 2026. The NRR is a version of the government’s National Security Risk Assessment without classified material. [New Civil Engineer]
US:
¶ “East Coast States Will Sue Trump for Illegal Payoffs” • Eight Attorneys General filed a notice of intent that they will challenge two unlawful payoffs from the Trump administration to energy companies. The administration paid energy companies nearly $2 billion in exchange for the companies to abandon offshore wind projects. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Diesel Prices Top $5. Here’s What It Means For What You Buy” • The average price of a gallon of diesel fuel topped $5 this week as a resumption of large-scale fighting between Iran and the US renewed fears of a worldwide oil shortage. The run-up in diesel costs threatens to push up prices for everything from groceries to at-home deliveries. [ABC News]
¶ “Pass Permitting Reform And Unleash American Solar and Storage” • Solar energy is the most affordable source of new electricity generation on the market. It is the fastest energy source to build and is helping prop up the grid during even the most severe heatwaves. But permitting roadblocks and needless bureaucracy are delaying projects. [CleanTechnica]
Have an unmistakably brilliant day.
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