Daily Debrief · Weekend edition

Iran war drives demand for solar panels, heat pumps and EVs, with energy bills expected to rise 18% from July British households are turning to green home energy upgrades in record numbers to try to keep bills down as the Iran crisis sends global oil and gas prices soaring, data from leading energy suppliers suggests. Figures show demand for solar panels, electric vehicles and heat pumps in Great Britain has leapt since the war began on 28 February, as households brace for a sharp increase in monthly payments when the next energy price cap takes effect in the summer. Continue reading...

Half of the wind turbines will be fitted with low-emissions steel towers, while 40 turbines will be equipped with a total of 120 reusable rotor blades.

Fallout from Middle East crisis prompts more people to explore the alternative source of power

James Widmer, CEO of Advanced Electric Machines, explains how his firm's technology has transitioned from research to 'commercial reality'

Van Oord has installed three monopile foundations at Ecowende's Hollandse Kust West wind farm using GBM Works' jetting solution in combination with CAPE’s vibro lifting tool for the first time.

The deadline for nominations for the third annual Women in Green Business Awards closes on Friday 17 April There is now just one week left to nominate individuals, organisations and initiatives for the Women in Green Business Awards 2026 ahead of the deadline on Friday 17th April. Back for its third year running, the prestigious awards event seeks to recognise and celebrate the many women who are working every day to advance the green economy. Following the success of the past two editions of the awards - which brought together around 400 leading women from across the green economy – the 2026 even will once again provide a unique opportunity to showcase the work of women within the sustainability sector and promote the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving forward the net zero transition. This year's awards will take place on the evening of Wednesday 7th October 2026 at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in Central London, bringing together hundreds of sustainability executives, engineers, marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and campaigners for the event's gala dinner and awards ceremony. The award categories cover a wide range of different sectors, roles, and businesses, so if you know of an organisation or individual who would be a worthy finalist - or if you are that person - please do put forward a nomination. All nominees will then be invited to complete an entry questionnaire, with the most impressive submissions announced as finalists on the 17th June. Winners and highly commended entries from the list of finalists will be selected by our panel of expert judges, with the winners announced at the glittering awards ceremony in October. "We've recruited a fantastic panel of judges and we're looking forward to receiving the nominations that recognise the many brilliant and inspiring women working every day to advance the green economy and catalyse environmental action across the UK," said Jade Burnett, chair of the judging panel for this year's awards. "The Women in Green Business Awards offer a powerful opportunity to celebrate this work and demonstrate the vital role that diversity, equity and inclusion play in driving the net zero transition." Last year's awards celebrated the success of hundreds of women working right across the green economy, including the likes of our Clean Tech Innovator of the Year Agnes Czako from AirEx Technologies, Leader of the Year Gillian Harrison from Whitefox Technologies, Corporate Sustainability Lead of the Year Kate Chapman from London Marathon Events, and Lifetime Achievement Awards winner Emma Howard Boyd. Nina Vidon, head of onshore renewables at WSP, took home last year's award for Energy Professional of the Year. She is one of many previous Women in Green Business Award winners to have offered their advice, insight and encouragement to future potential nominees. "Winning this award represents the peak of my 23 years of career in the energy industry and demonstrates I made the right movement migrating from oil and gas to renewable industry," she said. "It gave me a real sense of belonging. Being a female engineer feels really isolating sometimes, and seeing women being celebrated for their great achievements is very encouraging and sets the example for other women to thrive. "The evening was really pleasant, relaxed and very dynamic, with very engaging speakers. It was great to engage with other people that believe in women's competence to produce great results. The Women in Green Business Awards builds on the success of the UK Green Business Awards, which will this year take place on the evening of Wednesday 24th June as part of London Climate Action Week. For all the information on the Women in Green Business Awards 2026, including the nomination and entry process, judging panel, and sponsorship opportunities, please check out the event website.

The Equity Capital Markets team from Burges Salmon has advised ITM Power on the £40 million strategic equity investment by Great British Energy.

Brigg, Lincolnshire: The peas are in and next up are maize and wildflowers, but with our fuel use running to 50,000 litres a year, I have one eye on the news Spring has sprung, and with warming soils we start planting our more delicate crops such as peas. With the chatter of skylarks in the background, we slowly drill our way across this 15-hectare field using a three-metre precision drill that carefully places the seed. Six weeks ago, this would have cost £7.50 per hectare on fuel, now it’s £15 per hectare – a severe shock to the farm’s finances. It’s not often that an arable farmer’s mind is so focused on global events, but our fuel use tops 50,000 litres a year and the Middle East conflict is having profound consequences. Thankfully, we’re partly protected. Over the last seven or eight years, we have transitioned to a low-disturbance approach to establishing crops, disturbing the top inch only. This means less tractor use and healthier soil – a big priority here. Fertiliser prices are also a worry. Common practice is to buy a year’s worth every June, but prices are skyrocketing, and there’s no UK production any more to help us out. Continue reading...

RWE has installed an offshore wind turbine using a reduced CO2 steel tower and recyclable rotor blades at the Thor wind farm.

The major energy company plans to invest in several projects in collaboration with partners to strengthen its future offshore wind business.

Operators will no longer have to navigate lengthy application processes to install chargers under changes to planning and traffic rules which come into force today, according to the government

Gray hydrogen, produced from unabated fossil fuels, currently accounts for approximately two percent of global CO₂ emissions. That figure alone justifies serious analytical attention to the technology’s role in the energy transition. Yet hydrogen policy and investment decisions across Europe and beyond have been shaped less by rigorous application-specific assessment than by a polarised expert [...]

As events in the Middle East and Ukraine dominate the global agenda and disrupt energy markets, this month’s OEUK Security and Resilience conference will once again bring together security specialists and industry leaders to discuss protecting a critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure: the North Sea and its energy system. The event will be […]

Report from Resolution Foundation urges ministers to offer only targeted support to poorer households

RWE wrapped up major sale of Swedish wind power assets, while Nordex announced two wind turbine orders and TenneT and National Grid entered major offshore grid deal