Key developments
Solar leads global energy growth in IEA review
In Electrek, Michelle Lewis reported that the International Energy Agency's 2026 Global Energy Review said global energy demand rose 1.3% in 2025, slower than the previous decade, while electricity demand still grew about 3% on electrification, EV adoption and data-center load. Solar contributed more than 25% of all energy-supply growth and, together with renewables and nuclear, covered all new electricity demand; solar generation rose about 600 TWh and battery storage added roughly 110 GW.
Why it matters
It shows low-emissions power is now scaling fast enough to absorb new demand growth, a key marker for the energy transition.
Sources & driving stories
ELECTREK · Michelle Lewis
Electrek coverageNew study undercuts wood-burning carbon capture
The Guardian reported on a Nature Sustainability study saying wood-burning power with carbon capture can be worse for the climate than gas because most emissions are released before the fuel reaches the plant and cannot be captured. The researchers estimated such systems could take about 150 years to become carbon negative, and Drax and the UK energy department disputed the findings.
Why it matters
It challenges the climate-case for BECCS and could affect biomass subsidies and carbon-removal policy.
Sources & driving stories
THE GUARDIAN
The Guardian coverageNorth American wildfire nights are stretching
Honolulu Civil Beat reported on a Science Advances study that analyzed nearly 9,000 larger fires from 2017 to 2023 and projected conditions back to 1975. The study found 36% more wildfire-favorable hours and 44% more fire-prone days than in the mid-1970s, with California seeing about 550 extra potential burning hours and parts of southwestern New Mexico and central Arizona seeing up to 2,000.
Why it matters
Longer nighttime burn windows make fires harder to suppress and raise the odds of larger, more destructive outbreaks.
Sources & driving stories
HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT
Honolulu Civil Beat coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
California water project goes solar
The 105-MW Pastoria contract shows California is using solar and storage to decarbonize a massive water-delivery system while aiming for carbon-neutral operations by 2035.
WORTH NOTING
Baobabs preserve 700 years rainfall
The new ring record back to 1300 adds rare long-term climate context for southwestern Madagascar and its land-use history.
WORTH NOTING
Miliband expected to expand solar
The reported speech suggests Labour may push solar, EVs and electricity-price reforms to reduce exposure to fossil-fuel shocks.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Can solar growth keep pace with demand?
The IEA found clean electricity covered all new demand in 2025, but electrification and data centers are still pushing consumption higher.
OPEN QUESTION
Will governments revise BECCS subsidies?
The new lifecycle analysis says wood-plus-CCS may not turn carbon negative for roughly 150 years.