Energy

    Record-breaking investment in renewables could cement Canada as new clean energy superpower
    19 Aug 2026

    The slated green energy plans could light, heat and cool all the homes in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver combined. Canadian officials have announced plans for “the largest clean energy investment in North American history.” A total of CAN$70 billion (€43.6 billion) is earmarked to massively enhance wind and hydropower generation in the eastern part of the country. […]

    ‘Excellent profit’: Meet the Bavarian hop farmer securing his harvest and income with solar ‘hats’

    No rain, no hops – no hops, no beer. Climate change, heat and dry farmland are hitting Bavaria’s key crop. Could solar panels save it? A wave of farm closures is washing over Germany’s lush hop-growing regions as climate change, falling prices and declining demand for beer leave desolation in their wake. As of 2026, there are […]

    ‘The real challenge starts after sundown’: Europe’s heatwave boosted solar by up to 17% on hot days
    15 Aug 2026

    A surge in solar power has helped meet heightened power demand from Europe’s blistering heatwaves, according to a new analysis. Solar has been doing the “heavy lifting” to help Europe meet its energy needs amid a string of blistering heatwaves. A new analysis from energy think-tank Ember found that solar output in European countries rose […]

    Europe’s heatwave causes power and cargo headache as rivers shrink
    07 Aug 2026

    A summer of blistering heatwaves has resulted in record low water levels in Europe, curtailing river transport and drastically reducing electricity generation. Europe’s two great rivers, the Rhine and the Danube, have been seriously affected, resulting in a water-cooled nuclear power plant operating at just 10 per cent capacity and cargo being moved by rail instead. The […]

    ‘Less than a minute of your time’: Driving the speed limit could save you money and cut emissions
    29 Jul 2026

    A new study says that obeying the speed limit could save millions of euros every year, while adding just 54 seconds to the average daily commute. Sticking to the speed limit can “dramatically curb” fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while saving drivers billions of euros annually. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities […]

    Smart meters save money and prevent wasting renewables: Which country is leading Europe’s rollout?
    14 Jul 2026

    Germany is falling far behind the rest of Europe when it comes to smart meter installation. With the rise of renewable energy, Europe’s electricity systems have undergone a fundamental shift. In the past, electricity demand was largely met by controllable generation from coal, gas, nuclear and hydropower, which could be adjusted to match changing consumption. But wind […]

    Costs more, cools more: Eco construction keeps buildings cool during heatwaves
    11 Jul 2026

    Eco construction techniques keep buildings cool and produce less emissions. With millions sweltering in heatwaves that started earlier than ever this year, the buildings we live and work in have come under the spotlight. Northern Europeans have found that most homes are designed to trap heat rather than stay cool, making them saunas when temperatures […]

    Cooling your home and lessening eco-anxiety: What are the hidden benefits of rooftop solar panels?
    10 Jul 2026

    Solar panels have been proven to help keep houses cool during extreme temperatures and may even increase the value of your home. Solar has been described as a “shining star” of the EU’s energy transition, helping to shelter households from the crippling cost of fossil fuels. According to Eurostat data, solar covered more than 17 per cent […]

    Kazakhstan and UAE launch construction of €1.2bn wind farm
    07 Jul 2026

    Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates have broken ground on a €1.2 billion wind farm in the Zhambyl region, marking one of Central Asia’s largest renewable energy projects as the Kazakhstan accelerates its transition towards cleaner energy. Led by Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, the 1 GW project is among the company’s flagship renewable energy investments in […]

    Rooftop solar can provide five hours of ‘free’ air conditioning a day. But is it green?
    29 Jun 2026

    Energy analysts say solar power and air conditioning are ‘complementary technologies’ – but is the race to cool Europe down backfiring? Europe’s solar boom is providing homes with hours of ‘free’ air conditioning (AC) – providing much-needed relief amid the latest heatwave. Blistering temperatures have gripped much of the continent this week, resulting in widespread disruption […]