Ben McWilliams
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social
Affiliate Fellow, studying issues concerning all things (European) energy, climate and clean tech at the Bruegel think tank.
One million Europeans are employed in clean tech value chains. Including batteries, bioenergy, geothermal, hydro, heat pumps, solar and wind. Jobs are doubled compared with 2010.
The data are not available, but EV and nuclear jobs would push this even higher.
The data are not available, but EV and nuclear jobs would push this even higher.
February 11, 2026 at 12:31 PM
One million Europeans are employed in clean tech value chains. Including batteries, bioenergy, geothermal, hydro, heat pumps, solar and wind. Jobs are doubled compared with 2010.
The data are not available, but EV and nuclear jobs would push this even higher.
The data are not available, but EV and nuclear jobs would push this even higher.
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
🏭 ‘Made with Europe’ not ‘Made in Europe’ should guide EU industrial policy
💡 Read the First Glance by Ignacio García Bercero,
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @tagliapietra.bsky.social
🔗 www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
#EconSky
💡 Read the First Glance by Ignacio García Bercero,
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @tagliapietra.bsky.social
🔗 www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
#EconSky
February 10, 2026 at 2:46 PM
🏭 ‘Made with Europe’ not ‘Made in Europe’ should guide EU industrial policy
💡 Read the First Glance by Ignacio García Bercero,
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @tagliapietra.bsky.social
🔗 www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
#EconSky
💡 Read the First Glance by Ignacio García Bercero,
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @tagliapietra.bsky.social
🔗 www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
#EconSky
🆕 Our argument for "Made with" and not "Made in Europe" to be at the centre of a new European clean industrial policy
@tagliapietra.bsky.social @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social @bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
@tagliapietra.bsky.social @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social @bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
‘Made with Europe’ not ‘Made in Europe’ should guide EU industrial policy
The European Union should not go down the path of local-content requirements to protect industry but should remain open to international cooperation
www.bruegel.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:46 PM
🆕 Our argument for "Made with" and not "Made in Europe" to be at the centre of a new European clean industrial policy
@tagliapietra.bsky.social @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social @bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
@tagliapietra.bsky.social @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social @bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
🚨No 2025 heat pump rebound in France.
Very similar market to 2024. 🟰
After dropping 40% in 2024, sales of air-to-water heat pumps stayed roughly flat. The 2025 rebound seen in other countries, such as Germany, did not happen in Europe's (still?) leading heat pump market.
Very similar market to 2024. 🟰
After dropping 40% in 2024, sales of air-to-water heat pumps stayed roughly flat. The 2025 rebound seen in other countries, such as Germany, did not happen in Europe's (still?) leading heat pump market.
February 6, 2026 at 2:25 PM
🚨No 2025 heat pump rebound in France.
Very similar market to 2024. 🟰
After dropping 40% in 2024, sales of air-to-water heat pumps stayed roughly flat. The 2025 rebound seen in other countries, such as Germany, did not happen in Europe's (still?) leading heat pump market.
Very similar market to 2024. 🟰
After dropping 40% in 2024, sales of air-to-water heat pumps stayed roughly flat. The 2025 rebound seen in other countries, such as Germany, did not happen in Europe's (still?) leading heat pump market.
If you wonder how US & global trade responds to Trump's tariffs ... my colleagues @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe have the dataset for you @bruegel.org
Among many figures, I find striking that advanced economy trade as % of GDP is retreating back to COVID-19 levels
Among many figures, I find striking that advanced economy trade as % of GDP is retreating back to COVID-19 levels
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
If you wonder how US & global trade responds to Trump's tariffs ... my colleagues @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe have the dataset for you @bruegel.org
Among many figures, I find striking that advanced economy trade as % of GDP is retreating back to COVID-19 levels
Among many figures, I find striking that advanced economy trade as % of GDP is retreating back to COVID-19 levels
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Looks like German manufacturing has turned the corner.
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
February 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Looks like German manufacturing has turned the corner.
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
European natural gas demand bounced back slightly in December 2025. Low prices and a drop in wind led to more gas burned for power. Slight growth in industrial demand too.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
February 4, 2026 at 11:41 AM
European natural gas demand bounced back slightly in December 2025. Low prices and a drop in wind led to more gas burned for power. Slight growth in industrial demand too.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
The close of 2025 brings yet another EV registration record: almost one-in-four new cars sold in the EU were fully electric in December.
End of year spikes are common as policies end and support schemes phase out. It will be interesting to see January data when available.
End of year spikes are common as policies end and support schemes phase out. It will be interesting to see January data when available.
February 3, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The close of 2025 brings yet another EV registration record: almost one-in-four new cars sold in the EU were fully electric in December.
End of year spikes are common as policies end and support schemes phase out. It will be interesting to see January data when available.
End of year spikes are common as policies end and support schemes phase out. It will be interesting to see January data when available.
is there a good understanding of why German and French electricity prices have decoupled substantially since early 2024?
using the great @ember-energy.org prices dataset - ember-energy.org/data/europea...
using the great @ember-energy.org prices dataset - ember-energy.org/data/europea...
January 28, 2026 at 3:55 PM
is there a good understanding of why German and French electricity prices have decoupled substantially since early 2024?
using the great @ember-energy.org prices dataset - ember-energy.org/data/europea...
using the great @ember-energy.org prices dataset - ember-energy.org/data/europea...
Earlier this month, the EUs carbon border adjustment mechanism finally began full operations. With @rebeccawire.bsky.social and Ignacio Garcia Bercero @bruegel.org we discussed what that means.
When will companies start paying? Who will be hit the hardest?
www.bruegel.org/podcast/all-...
When will companies start paying? Who will be hit the hardest?
www.bruegel.org/podcast/all-...
All about CBAM, the cross-border carbon levy
The EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism is live! What happens next?
www.bruegel.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Earlier this month, the EUs carbon border adjustment mechanism finally began full operations. With @rebeccawire.bsky.social and Ignacio Garcia Bercero @bruegel.org we discussed what that means.
When will companies start paying? Who will be hit the hardest?
www.bruegel.org/podcast/all-...
When will companies start paying? Who will be hit the hardest?
www.bruegel.org/podcast/all-...
A proposal to replace the UNFCCC focus from 1.5 C target to measuring "clean energy shift" - the delta between clean energy growth and energy demand growth. Countries would set and report on hitting such targets.
As the world quickly approaches 1.5C, researchers have a call in Nature to rethink the utility of temperature targets – and to potentially replace them with more actionable and precise targets around clean energy:
As we breach 1.5 °C, we must replace temperature limits with clean-energy targets
Nature - Actionable goals are needed to guide the world towards what needs to happen most quickly: shifting economies to clean energy sources.
www.nature.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:20 AM
A proposal to replace the UNFCCC focus from 1.5 C target to measuring "clean energy shift" - the delta between clean energy growth and energy demand growth. Countries would set and report on hitting such targets.
🆕 EU natural gas demand bounced back slightly as TTF prices fell < €30 / MWh toward the end of 2025.
This repeats the pattern of winter 23/24.
After summer months of demand ≈ 20% down on pre-crisis 2019-21 AVG, winter months are ≈ 10% down
This repeats the pattern of winter 23/24.
After summer months of demand ≈ 20% down on pre-crisis 2019-21 AVG, winter months are ≈ 10% down
January 26, 2026 at 10:48 AM
🆕 EU natural gas demand bounced back slightly as TTF prices fell < €30 / MWh toward the end of 2025.
This repeats the pattern of winter 23/24.
After summer months of demand ≈ 20% down on pre-crisis 2019-21 AVG, winter months are ≈ 10% down
This repeats the pattern of winter 23/24.
After summer months of demand ≈ 20% down on pre-crisis 2019-21 AVG, winter months are ≈ 10% down
Ember @ember-energy.org release their annual electricity review today, full of great facts and figures as always.
The decoupling of midday solar prices from evening natural gas prices particularly stands out to me 👇
🔋Big incoming role for batteries.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
The decoupling of midday solar prices from evening natural gas prices particularly stands out to me 👇
🔋Big incoming role for batteries.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
January 22, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Ember @ember-energy.org release their annual electricity review today, full of great facts and figures as always.
The decoupling of midday solar prices from evening natural gas prices particularly stands out to me 👇
🔋Big incoming role for batteries.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
The decoupling of midday solar prices from evening natural gas prices particularly stands out to me 👇
🔋Big incoming role for batteries.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
NEW | Wind and solar generated more power than fossil fuels in the EU for the FIRST time ever.
🌪️ and ☀️ made up a RECORD 30% of 🇪🇺 electricity, up from 20% just five years ago.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
🌪️ and ☀️ made up a RECORD 30% of 🇪🇺 electricity, up from 20% just five years ago.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
January 22, 2026 at 7:01 AM
NEW | Wind and solar generated more power than fossil fuels in the EU for the FIRST time ever.
🌪️ and ☀️ made up a RECORD 30% of 🇪🇺 electricity, up from 20% just five years ago.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
🌪️ and ☀️ made up a RECORD 30% of 🇪🇺 electricity, up from 20% just five years ago.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2026/
The unfortunate consequence of tariffs and the uncertainty they create is that Transatlantic trade is slowly disappearing.
For clean tech products, EU - US exports have fallen by two-thirds this year while imports from the US are down by a half.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/s/vREcWw
For clean tech products, EU - US exports have fallen by two-thirds this year while imports from the US are down by a half.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/s/vREcWw
January 20, 2026 at 3:31 PM
The unfortunate consequence of tariffs and the uncertainty they create is that Transatlantic trade is slowly disappearing.
For clean tech products, EU - US exports have fallen by two-thirds this year while imports from the US are down by a half.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/s/vREcWw
For clean tech products, EU - US exports have fallen by two-thirds this year while imports from the US are down by a half.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/s/vREcWw
Struck by this graph from @nathanielbullard.com
In the last month of 2025, a total 65 GWh capacity in batteries were connected in China.
That is more than the sum of batteries connected ever in the EU (around 61 GWh)
In the last month of 2025, a total 65 GWh capacity in batteries were connected in China.
That is more than the sum of batteries connected ever in the EU (around 61 GWh)
January 16, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Struck by this graph from @nathanielbullard.com
In the last month of 2025, a total 65 GWh capacity in batteries were connected in China.
That is more than the sum of batteries connected ever in the EU (around 61 GWh)
In the last month of 2025, a total 65 GWh capacity in batteries were connected in China.
That is more than the sum of batteries connected ever in the EU (around 61 GWh)
This weekend, President UvdL travels to Paraguay to sign the long awaited EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The EU is already a net exporter of clean tech products to the region, and this deal will lower tariffs (which were 35% for EVs).
🇧🇷 Clean tech net exports to Brazil alone are €50 mln monthly
The EU is already a net exporter of clean tech products to the region, and this deal will lower tariffs (which were 35% for EVs).
🇧🇷 Clean tech net exports to Brazil alone are €50 mln monthly
January 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM
This weekend, President UvdL travels to Paraguay to sign the long awaited EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The EU is already a net exporter of clean tech products to the region, and this deal will lower tariffs (which were 35% for EVs).
🇧🇷 Clean tech net exports to Brazil alone are €50 mln monthly
The EU is already a net exporter of clean tech products to the region, and this deal will lower tariffs (which were 35% for EVs).
🇧🇷 Clean tech net exports to Brazil alone are €50 mln monthly
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Which economy is more productive - Germany or the US? It seems the answer would be clear, but it's not.
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Which economy is more productive - Germany or the US? It seems the answer would be clear, but it's not.
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
It's happened again. European electric vehicle sales set a new monthly record, breaking 30% of total sales for the first time. German and French growth is steady, while a sharp jump in Italy coincides with new incentivi statali
January 6, 2026 at 2:02 PM
It's happened again. European electric vehicle sales set a new monthly record, breaking 30% of total sales for the first time. German and French growth is steady, while a sharp jump in Italy coincides with new incentivi statali
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
And Venezuela primarily exports heavy-sour oil (dense & viscous; high in sulphur -> needing more complex refineries) - while it even has to import other oil grades and products. 4/5
January 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
And Venezuela primarily exports heavy-sour oil (dense & viscous; high in sulphur -> needing more complex refineries) - while it even has to import other oil grades and products. 4/5
A helpful note on the Automotive package,
Technological neutrality is not the panacea some made it out to be. The regulation is only interested in driving CO2 limits down. Offsetting the emissions of a new ICE car sold in 2035 will inevitably be very expensive and only for the few.
Technological neutrality is not the panacea some made it out to be. The regulation is only interested in driving CO2 limits down. Offsetting the emissions of a new ICE car sold in 2035 will inevitably be very expensive and only for the few.
EU Automotive Package – The Porsche Amendment
"ICE models to become the haute couture Swiss watches of the motor industry "
A note:
www.schmidtmatthias.de/post/eu-auto...
"ICE models to become the haute couture Swiss watches of the motor industry "
A note:
www.schmidtmatthias.de/post/eu-auto...
EU Automotive Package – The Porsche Amendment
The winners of the European Commission’s Automotive Package presented at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
www.schmidtmatthias.de
December 18, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A helpful note on the Automotive package,
Technological neutrality is not the panacea some made it out to be. The regulation is only interested in driving CO2 limits down. Offsetting the emissions of a new ICE car sold in 2035 will inevitably be very expensive and only for the few.
Technological neutrality is not the panacea some made it out to be. The regulation is only interested in driving CO2 limits down. Offsetting the emissions of a new ICE car sold in 2035 will inevitably be very expensive and only for the few.
🗨️ “Direct commodity imports consistently emerge as the most cost-effective strategy for most countries.”
Another study points to the pressure for growth in green energy intermediate product trade. Energy-intensive processes move to sunny & windy places.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Another study points to the pressure for growth in green energy intermediate product trade. Energy-intensive processes move to sunny & windy places.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Optimising green value chains for the chemical industry in Europe
Transforming Europe's basic chemical industries for climate neutrality necessitates strategic decisions about sourcing green ammonia and methanol. Usi…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
🗨️ “Direct commodity imports consistently emerge as the most cost-effective strategy for most countries.”
Another study points to the pressure for growth in green energy intermediate product trade. Energy-intensive processes move to sunny & windy places.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Another study points to the pressure for growth in green energy intermediate product trade. Energy-intensive processes move to sunny & windy places.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🆕 The EU boasts a solid industrial base for the manufacturing of both batteries and EVs, with €38 billion into EVs and €34 billion into batteries invested since 2017.
We explore these investments in a new piece & argue that today's proposal to weaken 2035 CO2 limits is a policy blunder.
We explore these investments in a new piece & argue that today's proposal to weaken 2035 CO2 limits is a policy blunder.
December 16, 2025 at 3:41 PM
🆕 The EU boasts a solid industrial base for the manufacturing of both batteries and EVs, with €38 billion into EVs and €34 billion into batteries invested since 2017.
We explore these investments in a new piece & argue that today's proposal to weaken 2035 CO2 limits is a policy blunder.
We explore these investments in a new piece & argue that today's proposal to weaken 2035 CO2 limits is a policy blunder.
The European Commission proposes to take a more central role in planning new electricity grid infrastructure.
This can make a lot of sense but as my colleague @aroth.bsky.social points out transparency is crucial. Continuing to use a private & closed-source model leaves the EC open to criticism
This can make a lot of sense but as my colleague @aroth.bsky.social points out transparency is crucial. Continuing to use a private & closed-source model leaves the EC open to criticism
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The European Commission proposes to take a more central role in planning new electricity grid infrastructure.
This can make a lot of sense but as my colleague @aroth.bsky.social points out transparency is crucial. Continuing to use a private & closed-source model leaves the EC open to criticism
This can make a lot of sense but as my colleague @aroth.bsky.social points out transparency is crucial. Continuing to use a private & closed-source model leaves the EC open to criticism