The future of nuclear energy in the Netherlands faces significant hurdles, with political divisions and budget cuts pressuring development. The outgoing cabinet plans to fully finance two new power plants via a state-owned company due to a lack of private investment, as reported on October 23, 2025.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the country will begin consultations on acquiring American nuclear fuel. This move aims to diversify supply for its expanding nuclear energy capacity, including the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, while simultaneously maintaining existing ties with Russian suppliers. The discussions highlight Hungary's strategy for enhanced energy security.
Germany is set to build an initial 12.5 GW of gas-fired power plants, designed to be hydrogen-ready but without an immediate conversion mandate. These plants are critical for grid stability and replacing coal, with tenders expected by early 2025 and backed by significant subsidies.
China has made a significant advancement in its next-generation 'artificial sun' project, with the prototype divertor component of the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) successfully passing expert evaluation. This critical component is vital for managing heat and impurities in future fusion reactors.
North Macedonia's power producers generated 20,572 MWh of electricity from renewable sources in September 2025, marking a 3.3% year-on-year increase. This growth highlights the country's ongoing commitment to expanding its green energy sector and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
North Macedonia has seen a surge in energy investment interest, with applications totaling 4.2 GW for battery projects and 7.1 GW for wind, solar, and gas power plants. This signals a significant push towards diversifying the nation's energy mix and enhancing grid stability.
Malta's reliance on imported electricity significantly increased in 2024, with power purchases via the Sicily-Malta interconnector surging by nearly 50% to 970.4 GWh. This rise, driven by higher demand and reduced local generation, means imported power now constitutes over 31% of the island's total electricity supply.
China has commissioned a pioneering solar thermal power station in Guazhou County, Gansu Province, featuring a world-first dual-tower design and nearly 27,000 mirrors. Developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, the plant utilizes molten salt storage for continuous power generation, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.
Finland and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 6, 2025, in Helsinki, deepening technical and economic cooperation in sustainable, clean, and renewable energy. The agreement aims to boost energy efficiency, promote Finnish companies in the Indonesian market, and support Indonesia's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Portugal and Finland have announced a strategic alliance focused on developing green hydrogen. This collaboration leverages Portugal's renewable energy potential and Finland's advanced technology, aiming for significant green hydrogen production and integration into the energy grid by 2030.
China's Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) has reached a significant construction milestone with the installation of its Dewar base in Hefei, Anhui Province. This compact fusion experiment device is a crucial step towards generating electricity from fusion power, aiming for completion by late 2027 and electricity generation by 2030.
Estonia's state-owned power generator, Eesti Energia, will merge all its electricity business areas into its subsidiary Enefit starting in 2026. This strategic move aims to enhance competitiveness, boost profitability, and restore investment capacity, creating a unified structure across the Baltic and Polish markets.
Iraq is embarking on ambitious renewable energy initiatives to save 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day, currently used for electricity generation, for export. This strategic shift aims to diversify the nation's energy mix, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and address chronic power shortages, with a target of 12 GW of clean energy by 2030.
Slovenia's sole nuclear power plant, Krško, commenced its routine overhaul on September 28, 2025. The maintenance, expected to last until the end of October, includes replacing 56 fuel elements and extensive equipment checks, ensuring continued safe operation and energy supply for Slovenia and Croatia.
China successfully flew the S1500, the world's largest and most powerful airborne wind turbine, in Xinjiang. This megawatt-class system aims to provide cheaper, more reliable green energy by harnessing high-altitude winds, marking a significant step in renewable technology.
Croatia is actively exploring the construction of at least three small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plants to bolster its energy security and align with evolving European energy policies. This strategic move aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet increasing electricity demands, with SMRs offering a compact, safer, and cost-effective solution for future energy needs.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for Bangladesh to urgently transition to cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy solutions, including large-scale solar deployment and exploring nuclear options. Speaking at a virtual conference, he highlighted the nation's reliance on fossil fuels and its climate vulnerability.
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched its first national policy on geothermal energy on September 15, 2025. The policy aims to establish geothermal as a key pillar of the renewable energy sector, contributing to the 2070 Net Zero Goal, and includes provisions for research, exploration, and pilot projects.
Construction has commenced on a significant pipeline project in Xinjiang, China, designed to convert coal into natural gas and eventually integrate with the West-East Gas Pipeline.
Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa's largest hydroelectric project, aiming to boost its power supply and potentially export energy, but the dam has sparked tensions with Egypt, which fears water supply disruptions. Despite these concerns, Ethiopia has proceeded with the project, emphasizing its benefits and asserting its right to develop its resources.
