Stay informed with the latest developments shaping the future of sustainability, energy, and tech. From major green investments and breakthrough hydrogen projects to AI-powered climate platforms and EV infrastructure milestones — here’s a roundup of this week’s most impactful news and deals across the sector:
Net Zero/Sustainability Key Industry News
Spain and Brazil advocate for new taxes on ultra-rich to boost climate finance – edie
Spain and Brazil are proposing wealth taxes to fund climate action globally. While early-stage, this debate could influence future financing mechanisms for decarbonisation projects.
Just transition to renewable energy ‘would boost global GDP by 21%’ – edie
The EU updated its 2040 climate policy to allow a limited role for international carbon offsets. This regulatory change could impact corporate decarbonisation strategies and the demand for verified offsets.
EU Omnibus: Big businesses and investors urge Commission not to ‘gut’ CSRD and CSDDD – edie
European corporates are pressing the EU to maintain strong corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence rules. This advocacy reinforces the importance of consistent ESG regulation for market certainty.
https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/inside-national-trusts-plan-to-reach-net-zero-by-2030
The UK’s National Trust details its strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 through energy efficiency, renewable deployment, and nature-based solutions. This plan sets an influential example in the heritage and public sectors.
Data Centre Key Industry News
Digital Realty: How Data Centres Harness Renewable Energy | Sustainability Magazine
Digital Realty reported that it has procured over 1.5GW of renewable energy globally to power its data centres. This milestone underscores the scale and pace of decarbonisation in hyperscale facilities.
Apple’s director of data center engineering joins OpenAI – DCD
Apple’s former Director of Data Center Engineering has joined OpenAI, reflecting talent movement among leading tech players. This signals the growing importance of AI infrastructure but has limited direct impact on UK/EU markets.
AWS says planned Dublin data centers will have no ‘significant impact on climate’ – DCD
AWS stated that its upcoming Dublin data centres will not significantly affect local emissions or water use. This is a high-profile example of hyperscale operators defending their sustainability credentials in Europe.
European Commission receives 76 expressions of interest for AI gigafactories initiative – DCD
The European Commission reported strong interest in its AI gigafactories programme, with 76 proposals submitted. This signals major upcoming investments in data centre capacity and supporting energy infrastructure across the EU.
UK operator Datum launches second Manchester data center – DCD
Datum has opened a second data centre in Manchester to meet rising regional demand. This expansion reflects continued growth in UK colocation capacity and highlights opportunities in sustainable digital infrastructure.
Recycler Redwood builds 63MWh second-life EV battery microgrid for AI data centre
Redwood Materials is deploying a 63MWh microgrid using second-life EV batteries to power an AI data centre. This project showcases circular economy principles and innovative storage solutions in digital infrastructure.
Data Centre Key Industry Deals
Advent acquires stake in LayerZero to scale manufacturing capacity to meet AI demand – DCD
Advent International invested in LayerZero to expand production of electrical distribution equipment for AI-focused data centres. While US-led, it shows rapid growth in infrastructure supply chains supporting AI expansion.
European Investment Fund invests €30m in quantum-focused venture fund – DCD
The European Investment Fund committed €30 million to a venture fund supporting quantum technology start-ups. This funding could influence future innovations in computing and data infrastructure.
Hydrogen Key Industry News
Hintco opens application phase for €2.5bn H2Global auction | Policy | H2 View
Hintco has launched the application process for the €2.5 billion H2Global hydrogen procurement scheme, aiming to create long-term purchase agreements to stimulate European hydrogen production. This is a major market-shaping development.
H1 2025 review: A sobering but stabilising hydrogen market | Feature
This market review highlights how the hydrogen sector has faced delays and policy uncertainties but is showing early signs of stabilisation. It provides valuable strategic insights into the investment and project pipeline outlook.
AFC Energy and ICL target disruptive hydrogen pricing without subsidies | Power | H2 View
AFC Energy and ICL are collaborating to deliver competitively priced hydrogen without relying on subsidies, using innovative production and distribution models. This could shift market dynamics and pricing benchmarks in Europe.
2,500km Nordic-Baltic hydrogen pipeline developers ink €6.8m grant agreement | Technology | H2 View
The developers of the Nordic-Baltic hydrogen pipeline secured a €6.8 million EU grant to advance a 2,500km corridor linking Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. This project is a key step in Europe’s cross-border hydrogen infrastructure.
EU launches hydrogen supply and demand matching platform | Policy | H2 View
The EU introduced a digital platform to connect hydrogen producers and consumers, aiming to improve market liquidity and accelerate project development. This initiative supports faster scaling of the European hydrogen economy.
FNM opens first of five hydrogen refuelling stations in Lombardy | Technology | H2 View
FNM inaugurated the first hydrogen refuelling station in Lombardy as part of a network supporting fuel cell trains and vehicles. This marks tangible infrastructure progress for clean mobility in Europe.
Commission sets 90% 2040 GHG target, hydrogen sector warns on execution | Policy | H2 View
The European Commission announced a 90% emissions reduction target by 2040, prompting the hydrogen industry to caution that implementation frameworks must be clarified to avoid project delays. This is a pivotal policy signal.
Lhyfe’s Bouin site becomes first in France certified for RFNBO hydrogen | Technology | H2 View
Lhyfe’s Bouin plant is now the first French site certified to produce Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) hydrogen. This milestone enables commercial sales into EU markets under strict sustainability criteria.
Hydrogen Key Deal News
Khimod raises €23m to scale hydrogen-based power-to-X technologies
French company Khimod secured €23 million to advance modular Power-to-X systems using hydrogen for synthetic fuels and chemicals. This funding strengthens Europe’s decarbonisation technology capabilities.
Energy Storage Key Industry News
Ofgem proposes £3.1bn reduction in electricity grid investment plans – edie
Ofgem plans to cut £3.1 billion from proposed UK electricity grid investments, sparking concerns about slowing progress towards Net Zero. This decision will directly affect infrastructure delivery and electrification timelines.
EU needs 500GWh-780GWh of BESS to meet 2030 renewables targets, SolarPower Europe says
SolarPower Europe warns the EU must deploy up to 780GWh of battery energy storage by 2030 to meet renewable energy goals. This underscores massive investment and infrastructure opportunities across Europe.
KKR’s ContourGlobal buys 1.6GW Italy BESS projects, with first tranche MACSE-ready
ContourGlobal, backed by KKR, acquired 1.6GW of battery energy storage projects in Italy. This large transaction demonstrates strong institutional interest in grid-scale storage in Southern Europe.
PowerChina begins construction of ‘world’s largest generation-side’ battery storage project
PowerChina started building a 2.6GW/5.2GWh battery storage system in Xinjiang. While outside Europe, this project highlights the scale achievable in next-generation storage deployments.
UK approaches 10GWh of operational grid-scale BESS – Energy-Storage.News
The UK is nearing 10GWh of live grid-scale battery energy storage, cementing its position as one of Europe’s most advanced storage markets. This progress supports renewable integration and grid stability.
Energy Storage Key Deal News
Swiss ClimateTech startup Crosstown raises €3.2 million to run gas turbines on renewable fuels
Crosstown secured €3.2 million to develop systems enabling gas turbines to operate on renewable fuels. This innovation supports decarbonisation of backup and industrial power across Europe’s energy transition.
Solarock raised €7 million to expand a franchise model for distributed solar installations in France and Europe. This approach aims to accelerate residential and commercial solar deployment through scalable networks.
Dexter Energy secured €23 million to expand its AI solutions for forecasting and trading optimisation in renewable energy and battery storage. This funding strengthens Europe’s digital tools for grid flexibility and decarbonisation.
SR Robotics raised €8.4 million to scale underwater robotic systems that support renewable energy and marine infrastructure. The funding strengthens Europe’s capabilities in sustainable energy security and offshore operations.
Built Environment Key Industry News
Strabag opens new circular economy site for mineral construction recycling
Strabag opened a circular economy hub to recycle mineral construction waste into secondary raw materials. This facility strengthens European capabilities for sustainable construction and resource efficiency.
Strabag Rail and Eurovia win €982m contracts for Czech rail upgrades
Strabag and Eurovia secured contracts in a €982 million Czech railway upgrade programme aimed at modernising transport infrastructure. While focused on mobility, it also includes sustainability improvements.
European construction output is stagnating as weak residential activity offsets growth in civil engineering. This macro trend is crucial for market forecasts and pipeline planning.
EV & EV Charging Key Industry News
Report: UK automakers set to dominate European EV market by 2035
A new forecast suggests UK car manufacturers could lead Europe’s EV market within a decade. This outlook underpins growth opportunities in charging, grid upgrades, and supporting infrastructure.
BP Pulse withdraws from workplace charging market
BP Pulse announced its exit from the UK workplace EV charging segment to refocus on public charging hubs. This move signals shifts in infrastructure strategies and potential gaps in the workplace charging offer.
Sales for fully-electric cars increase 39% as fleet sales dominate | SMMT
Fully electric car sales in the UK surged 39%, with fleets driving most of the growth. This underscores strong momentum in corporate electrification and demand for supporting infrastructure.
EV charging hub growth shows ‘future direction for UK infrastructure’
The rapid expansion of large-scale EV charging hubs is defining the next phase of UK charging infrastructure. This trend creates opportunities for investment and strategic partnerships in public charging networks.
EV & EV Charging Key Deal News
London-based Hived secured €35.6 million to grow its fully electric parcel delivery network across the UK. This investment underscores strong momentum behind zero-emission urban logistics and last-mile decarbonisation.
Estonian start-up Vok Bikes raised €5 million to scale production of electric cargo bikes designed to replace delivery vans in European cities. This supports the shift toward zero-emission last-mile logistics and urban mobility innovation.
