Generative AI is driving a sharp rise in electricity demand from data centers and AI computing infrastructure, prompting China to release its 15th Five-Year Plan for the Construction of a New Energy System (2026–2030). The plan incorporates AI power demand into China's national energy strategy for the first time, calling for closer coordination between electricity supply and computing capacity to support AI, advanced manufacturing, and other strategic industries.
Schneider Electric, the French energy management and automation giant, announced that it has agreed to acquire Cognite, a Norwegian industrial data and AI software company, in an all-cash deal valued at US$3.1 billion. The deal is meant to reinforce the former's software line-up as it positions itself for a future of AI-powered industrial automation.
Taiwan's carbon fee system has begun collecting payments, with the first batch covering 240 high-emitting companies across 461 factories and generating NT$4.97 billion (US$156.07 million) in initial revenue. Taiwan also plans to roll out an emissions trading system (ETS) in 2028, initially targeting 20 major emitters in the steel, cement, and semiconductor sectors.
Walmart and Constellation Energy announced on June 23 that the retailer signed its first nuclear power purchase agreement, securing about 176 MW of zero-emission electricity from the Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois. The deal comprises two 15-year contracts that include 30 MW of new generation capacity and are scheduled to begin in 2029 and 2030.
Japan and France are moving to reduce their reliance on Chinese heavy rare earths, backing a recycling project in southwestern France that is expected to supply materials used in high-performance permanent magnets for electric vehicles, defense equipment, aircraft and wind-power motors.
