Tech's energy demand drives big rise in long-term power contracts, and more top energy stories

The amount of renewable electricity sold to companies under long-term power purchase agreements rose 35% last year, according to new data.

Analysis from BloombergNEF shows the biggest increase was in the US, with the tech industry the largest buyer as it looks to meet rising power demand for data centres.

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving a rise in electricity consumption from data centres.

The European Commission has proposed extending its current gas storage regulation until the end of 2027, as well as saying it wants to create more flexibility on when member states can refill storage facilities.

The extension would contribute to ensuring continued security of energy supply across the European Union, it said.

The EU’s gas storage regulation was brought in during the energy crisis in 2022 to make sure homes and businesses had sufficient supplies for the winter. It requires member states to meet mandatory storage filling targets.

The EU’s gas storage capacities and EU storage facilities are the main supply source of gas in winter, ensuring 30% of EU supply in this season, the Commission said.

The EU has also announced its Clean Industrial Deal, a strategy designed to accelerate the decarbonization of European industries while maintaining their competitiveness.

Weather and climate insights are becoming increasingly important to ensure the reliability and resilience of energy systems as the energy transition accelerates, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organization.

Norwegian energy giant Equinor has made a significant gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea. It is planning to develop the resources which it predicts holds recoverable reserves of between 19 million and 44 million barrels of oil equivalent.

China will continue to enhance coal production and the fossil fuel’s role as a baseline power source, it has said in a new official report, alongside developing a raft of major renewable energy projects.

The UK and Ireland are planning new agreements to share data and cut red tape in a bid to increase energy security, Bloomberg reports.

Thailand is set for a $1.8 billion AI-driven programme to improve the efficiency and long-term sustainability of its energy infrastructure.

The chief executive of the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, has said technology from artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek is making a “big difference” and helping to improve efficiency of its operations.

Italian oil major Eni is to create a new business focused on carbon capture, as well as offering carbon-neutral data centres capacity, as it ramps up its energy transition strategy, the Financial Times reports.

Geopolitical tension, falling energy investment growth rates, technological disruption – 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for the energy sector. Read more about five trends to watch.

While the US has said it will increase oil and gas production, a shift to renewables and other market forces are also influencing the country’s energy sector. This article asks a top energy leader how the industry is reacting.

Investment in advanced energy solutions could exceed $500 billion annually by 2030 based on current energy transition goals. Find out why governments that encourage the development of advanced energy projects could boost jobs, economic growth and security of supply.

To learn more about the work of the Centre for Energy and Materials, contact Ella Yutong Lin: ellayutong.lin@weforum.org.