In brief | 5 December '25

Fraunhofer ISE: Consumption of solar power by PV owners is rising sharply in Germany

In 2024, own consumption stood at 12.28 terawatt hours (TWh), accounting for 17 percent of net photovoltaic (PV) generation.

Bloomberg: Germany faces a growing power gap as delays hit new gas projects

Germany is heading toward a potential power shortfall of 10 to 24 gigawatts in 2030 during high-demand periods as it closes generation faster than it builds replacements.

Bloomberg: Europe utilities rethink bets in slow-to-go-green Southeast Asia

Shift underscores investor frustration with what was until recently a promising renewable-energy market.

Copernicus: 2025 sees intense wildfire year in the Northern Hemisphere

Wildfire emissions in Europe climbed to record high.

Bloomberg: EU reaches deal on one-year delay to deforestation regulation

Negotiators soften requirements criticised at home and abroad for their bureaucratic burden and impact on trade.

Hydrogen Insight: EU launches third European Hydrogen Bank auction, with budget of €1.3bn

Funds set to be topped up by a further 1.7 billion euros from Germany and Spain via the EU’s auctions-as-a-service programme.

Politico: European Greens' dilemma: Salvage EU climate laws or break with von der Leyen's party

As the party meets for its annual congress, many members see the EPP as their new main enemy.

Reuters: Trump's U-turn on fuel economy rules lifts European carmakers' shares

Shares jumped between 2.5 and 5 percent after Trump proposed slashing fuel economy standards.

ECFR: Why upgrading the grid is vital for Europe’s competitiveness

Europe’s climate goals, industrial plans and geopolitical ambitions are outpacing its electricity infrastructure.

IEA - Energy employment has surged, but growing skills shortages threaten future momentum

Strong investment in energy infrastructure drove a 2.2 percent rise in energy jobs last year, nearly double the rate of employment growth for the wider global economy.