Norway rejects EU Arctic drilling ban and ditches ‘green battery’ role
The concept, once promoted by Norwegian officials to justify new interconnectors with Britain and Germany.
Energy and climate
Latest reporting and analysis on energy and climate.
Coal falls to a record low in EU electricity as grid costs and taxes keep bills high
Eurostat figures show the fuel now generates less than a tenth of the bloc's power, though the retreat has not delivered cheaper electricity for consumers.
Eclipse strips up to 9.7GW from Europe’s solar-heavy grids
The company offered customers who cut consumption an hour of free electricity as a reward, capped at 16kWh.
Brussels ranks new water supply a ‘last resort’ and answers drought with forums and roadmaps
The methodology for measuring the EU's 10 per cent water efficiency goal is not due until 2027, while member states face a shortfall of about €25 billion a year…
Romania faces full nuclear shutdown as Danube levels hit critical lows
The two CANDU reactors, each rated at around 700 MW, normally supply roughly a fifth of Romania's electricity.
Romania sinks barges in Danube to keep last nuclear reactor running
Explosives, dredging and four scuttled vessels have lifted the river 8cm above forecast at Cernavodă, buying the plant's surviving unit nine days.
US settles with German energy firm for $1.22 billion to scrap offshore wind leases
The company described the resolution as serving the interests of its stakeholders and allowing it to redirect resources toward energy projects that can proceed with…
Amsterdam wants people to barbecue less
According to the municipality, smoke from charcoal and fire pits causes health problems and a nuisance.
European wildfires cause up to €19.1 billion in damage
More than 530,000 hectares have burned in EU countries so far in 2026, putting the season on pace with 2025, when 1.08 million hectares were lost across the bloc.
German minister sees electricity price relief only in the 2030s
"We are ending the EEG as an all-round, worry-free package," Reiche said in Berlin, adding that over-subsidisation would be abolished.
High microplastic levels found near Turkish recycling hub handling British plastic waste
Pellets, films and fragments characteristic of recycling waste were identified exclusively downstream.
Germany prepares secret plan for electricity shortage for ‘several days to weeks’
The agency, acting as federal load distributor, can then order reductions or temporary halt of consumption with notice of 24 hours to three days.
Wind farm cables triggered huge wildfire in Greece
The blaze began on Friday morning near Agios Vasileios in the Boeotia region at a site known as Mavro Spithari.
Danube drought shuts Hungary’s only nuclear plant as Brussels weighs emergency talks
The European Commission has said it stands ready to convene emergency electricity talks after Hungary lost nearly half its generating capacity.
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Polish president blocks windfall tax on fuel companies with court referral
In the Nawrocki's view, the legislation violates the constitutional principle that laws should not apply retroactively.
France passes worst fire season on record as arson arrests mount
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said nine out of 10 blazes were started by people, as the European Commission sent further aircraft to the Gironde.
Lyon-Turin railway clashes cause €1 million in damage
Clashes over the Lyon-Turin railway line resulted in one million euros in damage, with Prime Minister Meloni condemning the violence and highlighting injuries among…
Energy prices tumble across Europe as US and Iran pause strikes
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US House votes to end Iran war as oil price tops hundred dollars
Four Republicans joined Democrats to rebuke President Donald Trump, though a binding measure failed in the Senate hours later.
EU states win power to confiscate and sell Russian oil cargoes
The measure closes a legal gap that has forced European authorities to release every detained shadow-fleet tanker with its crude still on board.
Cleaner air may be driving Europe’s increasingly intense heatwaves
Researchers found that the reduction in European sulphate emissions altered temperature patterns between different parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Trump approves landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
The agreement is expected to be submitted to Congress for review and could be worth tens of billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.
Norway’s national oil company’s profits double amid war on Iran
The company reported adjusted earnings before tax of $11.48 billion (€10.06 billion) for the three months to the end of June.
Macron blocks environment minister’s exit over pesticide law
Barbut announced this morning that she would resign after accusing the government of reneging on commitments to oppose provisions allowing the possible return of…
Germany turns to Azerbaijan for more gas as Merz signs strategic partnership
Ilham Aliyev has blamed European banks' retreat from fossil fuel lending for limiting how much extra gas Baku can send west.
Sweden blocks 11 offshore wind farms, approves two
Ministers also greenlit one large onshore wind project, aiming to balance electricity needs with military priorities in strategically sensitive waters.
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France idles reactors on cooling rules as Spanish and US plants run right through the heat
EDF took the plants offline to meet French river-discharge rules, not because the reactors could not cope with the heat, while the same technology kept operating…
Volkswagen to slash model range in half, cut production by 10 per cent
The move is part of a broader far ranging cost-cutting and efficiency drive as the group confronts a sharp downturn in its core European and Chinese markets.
Russia bans diesel exports after Ukrainian strikes on refineries
Shipments made under pre-existing intergovernmental agreements, including a supply deal with Mongolia, are exempt.
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Poland lobbies for NATO pipeline extension to cover eastern flank
"The dual-use nature of pipelines provides the opportunity to build security for NATO's entire eastern flank, so this is also an opportunity for me and all of central…