Key Trends
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| GSC and Associations in the News |
| Wind and Solar Generate More Electricity Than Gas for First Time (Ecofin Agency)
Wind and solar power generated more electricity than gas worldwide for the first time in April 2026, according to an analysis published May 21 by British energy think tank Ember … Several obstacles still slow project development across the continent, however. The Global Solar Council points to high interest rates, currency risks, and limited financial guarantees as major barriers to investment. The government of Sébastien Lecornu has made its decision. It has adopted the trajectory set by Emmanuel Macron in his 2022 Belfort speech … “We are pleased that this great ambition is being maintained,” stated Jules Nyssen—who was present alongside Sébastien Lecornu during the announcement of the PPE3—regarding offshore wind power. The President of the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER) also expressed his satisfaction at seeing the launch of the first commercial call for tenders for tidal energy included in the plan, with the target date for contract awards set for 2030. William Fry appoints new Energy Regulatory Consultant (RTÉ) Law firm William Fry has appointed Dr Eva Barrett as Consultant in its Energy & Infrastructure Group. The firm said her appointment brings additional EU and Irish energy regulatory expertise to the its energy, climate and environmental law practice. Ms Barrett joins the firm from Solar Ireland where in her role as Director of Policy and Regulation she worked on the implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act, working directly with Government, the CRU, EirGrid and ESBN on the issues shaping the buildout of Irish renewables. Solar saves Europe EUR 10bn since Iran conflict – SolarPower Europe (Renewables Now) Europe’s solar generation capacity has eliminated the need for EUR 10 billion (USD 11.6bn) of additional gas imports since the start of the Middle East conflict in March, according to research by SolarPower Europe. Illegal factories dodge solar crackdown (South China Morning Post) For nearly two years, China has been waging an intense campaign to eliminate severe overcapacity in the solar industry – an issue that has sparked vicious price wars, undermined domestic firms’ bottom lines and fuelled protectionist policies overseas … Global photovoltaic installations jumped 33 per cent in 2024, but the growth rate dropped to 10 per cent a year later, according to the non-profit organisation SolarPower Europe. Carbon-capturing bison and bill-slashing renewables: Positive environmental stories from 2026 (Euronews) … ‘Decoupling from fossil fuel shocks’: Europe’s electricity made 25% cheaper thanks to solar and wind … An analysis by SolarPower Europe found that harnessing sunlight for energy has saved Europe more than €100 million per day since 1 March, resulting in total savings of more than €3 billion. DESNZ abandons drive for solar panels in car parks (Utility Week Online) The government has dropped plans to make solar panels mandatory on new car parks, sparking criticism from the industry and campaigners … A Solar Energy UK spokesperson said: “It’s a disappointing response but the overall industry is going very well and we’re looking to the implementation the Future Buildings Standard to build out the sector.” French energy sector cautious on plan to cut power tax (Montel) France’s energy sector has welcomed a government plan to cut taxes on power bills for all consumers but remained cautious about the nation’s budgetary constraints … Jules Nyssen, President of the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER) , also welcomed a potential tax reduction but remained “cautious,” noting that the announcement was “very vague” and that “we do not know how this reduction will be funded.”
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