• Commentary

        • 13 Feb 2026

        Global battery markets are growing strongly – and so are the supply risks

        …power systems, and an increasingly important source of back-up power for digital infrastructure, including data centres and artificial intelligence.Beyond energy, batteries remain indispensable for a wide range of industrial and strategic applications, from portable electronics and unmanned defence systems to emerging technologies such as humanoid robots. As applications diversify and costs continue to fall, batteries are evolving into a foundational component of modern economies. This shift carries far-reaching implications for economic competitiveness, supply security and industrial policy, as battery supply chains remain highly concentrated and technologically complex.These dynamics are already evident in battery deployment trends, as…

        • Country

        Tajikistan

        Hydropower is the main source of energy in Tajikistan, followed by imported oil, gas and coal. However, Tajikistan's energy sector is prone to supply shocks, due to seasonal shortages. Energy policy focuses on providing uninterrupted energy access to all users while improving regional co‑operation and energy sector efficiency, but significant domestic and foreign investment will be necessary for continued energy sector development. Tajikistan is part of the EU4Energy Programme, an initiative focused on evidence-based policymaking for the energy sector.

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        • Energy system

        Coal

        Global coal demand to remain on a plateau in 2025 and 2026
        Despite unusual trends across several major markets in the first half of 2025, global coal demand is likely to remain broadly unchanged to 2027 as underlying structural drivers of the world’s coal use remain stable.
        Global coal demand increased to a new all-time high in 2024 of around 8.8 billion tonnes, up 1.5% from 2023, as rising consumption in China, India, Indonesia and other emerging economies more than offset declines in advanced economies in Europe, North America and northeast Asia. However, several of those…

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        • Country

        Armenia

        Imports of oil and gas cover 77% of Armenia’s energy needs. Current energy policy is focused on developing indigenous energy sources, mainly renewable, and on replacing the country’s main nuclear reactor. Energy Efficiency policy has also become a bigger priority as energy security and reliability remain key focus areas. Armenia is part of the EU4Energy Programme, an initiative focused on evidence-based policymaking for the energy sector.

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        • Country

        United Kingdom

        The United Kingdom has been an early player in the energy transition, being among the first countries to set a net zero target by 2050 and to put in place carbon budgets. UK emissions have already fallen by around 50% since 1990, indicating a strong start. Looking ahead, an important pillar of the energy transition will be decarbonising the power sector through sizeable new investments in renewables and nuclear while also focusing on new technologies such as CCUS, hydrogen and small modular reactors. As a historic oil and gas producer, the UK is looking to address declining North Sea production…

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        • Country

        Belgium

        Belgium’s energy policy is focused on transitioning to a low-carbon economy while ensuring energy security, lowering costs for consumers and increasing market competition. Belgium has made progress on these goals, notably as a global leader in offshore wind. The country is also seeing a rapid uptake of electric vehicles. However, Belgium remains reliant on fossil fuels and more aggressive policies are needed accelerate emissions reductions, especially for the industry sector.

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        • Country

        Mexico

        Mexico’s energy and economic profile presents both challenges and opportunities as a major oil producer, exporter and through its growing domestic energy demand. Mexico was the first large oil producing emerging economy to adopt climate legislation in 2012 and has seen growth in renewable electricity generation from wind and solar, which almost tripled from 2015 to 2022. However, strong action is needed across all sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and bring down greenhouse gas emissions.

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        • Country

        Canada

        …zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s energy and economic profile presents both challenges and opportunities to achieving these targets given its profile as a major producer, consumer and exporter of energy. Energy production and use in Canada accounts for over 80% of the country’s GHG emissions, with oil and gas production alone accounting for around a quarter. Canada’s electricity system is already among the cleanest in the world, with heavy dominance of hydropower as well as an important role for nuclear. Canada has put in place several policy measures to achieve its climate targets, including a carbon pricing…

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        • Country

        Kyrgyzstan

        Kyrgyzstan’s hydro-rich energy sector is characterised by aging infrastructure and significant losses, which are exacerbated by a combination of weather-related shocks and growing demand. Energy policy aims to improve energy security by developing indigenous energy sources and rehabilitating and expanding transmission and distribution networks. Developing sustainable energy and improving energy efficiency are also priorities, while slowly removing subsidies will allow for further investment and expansion of domestic resources. Kyrgyzstan is part of the EU4Energy Programme, which is focused on evidence-based policymaking in the energy sector.

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        • Commentary

        • 23 Jan 2026

        Investment in next-generation geothermal is surging. Policies are key to further growth

        …These technologies are advancing quickly, potentially enabling economically-viable geothermal development nearly anywhere in the world. The IEA’s Future of Geothermal Energy report, published in late 2024, estimated that with continued technology improvements and reductions in project costs, next-generation geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth to 2050. Geothermal technology families Next-generation geothermal technology remains at an early stage of development. In general, geothermal projects remain among the most capital-intensive in the energy sector, with drilling and well costs often representing up to 80% of total costs. Yet the past year has…

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