Georg Zachmann
@gzachmann.bsky.social
senior fellow - energy & climate policy -
@bruegel_org
Scientific Lead - GreenDealUkraїna -
@HZBde
@bruegel_org
Scientific Lead - GreenDealUkraїna -
@HZBde
Recently we were at 9g silver per kW solar panel (thx @solarchase.bsky.social) -> at today's elevated silver prices this is close to 25€ in silver, per kW.
There is about 20g of #silver in a 1 kW solar panel.
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
January 22, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Recently we were at 9g silver per kW solar panel (thx @solarchase.bsky.social) -> at today's elevated silver prices this is close to 25€ in silver, per kW.
My GDU colleague Rouven Stubbe had a first look into the actual impact of live-CBAM, using data from real-time electricity trading. And the distortions are pretty visible!
www.linkedin.com/posts/rouven...
www.linkedin.com/posts/rouven...
January 22, 2026 at 6:58 PM
My GDU colleague Rouven Stubbe had a first look into the actual impact of live-CBAM, using data from real-time electricity trading. And the distortions are pretty visible!
www.linkedin.com/posts/rouven...
www.linkedin.com/posts/rouven...
During the past weeks more LNG arrived in the EU than at the same time a year ago.
January 22, 2026 at 6:05 PM
During the past weeks more LNG arrived in the EU than at the same time a year ago.
This is unbelievably sad news. Oleksii Brekht was acting CEO of Ukraine’s transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, during the turbulent and challenging first half of 2025. He died defending his country’s power system - a role that no civilian energy professional should ever be forced to assume.
Top Ukrainian energy worker Oleksii Brekht was killed while on the job, after being electrocuted at a substation.
Top Ukrainian energy official killed at substation
Top Ukrainian energy worker Oleksii Brekht was killed while on the job, after reportedly being electrocuted at a substation.
kyivindependent.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
This is unbelievably sad news. Oleksii Brekht was acting CEO of Ukraine’s transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, during the turbulent and challenging first half of 2025. He died defending his country’s power system - a role that no civilian energy professional should ever be forced to assume.
I came across a useful Wikipedia page compiling various polling results for #Hungary’s April parliamentary elections, which strongly suggest that “he who pays the piper calls the tune.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
January 21, 2026 at 3:46 PM
I came across a useful Wikipedia page compiling various polling results for #Hungary’s April parliamentary elections, which strongly suggest that “he who pays the piper calls the tune.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion...
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
"Personalities linked to Trump are leading negotiations on a European contract to build a gas pipeline": [this is how the...
by RTBF in Belgium
by RTBF in Belgium
How people close to Donald Trump want to scoop a European pipeline contract worth more than €100 million
"Personalities linked to Trump are leading negotiations on a European...
www.rtbf.be
January 19, 2026 at 10:30 AM
"Personalities linked to Trump are leading negotiations on a European contract to build a gas pipeline": [this is how the...
by RTBF in Belgium
by RTBF in Belgium
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
€: Everyone knows Germany's "Industriestrompreis". These "broad, uncoordinated national subsidy schemes … risk fragmenting the internal market,” the Austrian letter warns.
However, whilst complaining, Vienna launched its own industry subsidy tariff “modelled after the German scheme”.
However, whilst complaining, Vienna launched its own industry subsidy tariff “modelled after the German scheme”.
Vienna slams ‘uncoordinated’ electricity subsidies, while launching its own | Euractiv
The Austrian government has asked the EU to step in as it joins a growing list of the bloc's countries looking to shield firms from high prices
www.euractiv.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:17 AM
€: Everyone knows Germany's "Industriestrompreis". These "broad, uncoordinated national subsidy schemes … risk fragmenting the internal market,” the Austrian letter warns.
However, whilst complaining, Vienna launched its own industry subsidy tariff “modelled after the German scheme”.
However, whilst complaining, Vienna launched its own industry subsidy tariff “modelled after the German scheme”.
In the EU, at current withdrawal rates (10 TWh/day) storage volume (643 TWh) will last till mid March.
But if fast storage depletion continues - at some moment EU prices will rise - attracting more LNG-tankers and lowering demand -> then storage withdrawal will slow.
But if fast storage depletion continues - at some moment EU prices will rise - attracting more LNG-tankers and lowering demand -> then storage withdrawal will slow.
January 10, 2026 at 9:57 AM
In the EU, at current withdrawal rates (10 TWh/day) storage volume (643 TWh) will last till mid March.
But if fast storage depletion continues - at some moment EU prices will rise - attracting more LNG-tankers and lowering demand -> then storage withdrawal will slow.
But if fast storage depletion continues - at some moment EU prices will rise - attracting more LNG-tankers and lowering demand -> then storage withdrawal will slow.
Ugne wraps up the Bruegel gas imports tracker for 2025:
- more imports (primarily from the US)
- less gas in storage
- higher implied gas demand
- more imports (primarily from the US)
- less gas in storage
- higher implied gas demand
European natural gas import tracker @bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
4 insights for 2025
1/4 Import volumes
-RU gas imports fell after closure of Ukrainian transit. Turkstream, the only remaining pipeline route, increased flows, while RU LNG is slightly down
-US gas imports rose sharply
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
4 insights for 2025
1/4 Import volumes
-RU gas imports fell after closure of Ukrainian transit. Turkstream, the only remaining pipeline route, increased flows, while RU LNG is slightly down
-US gas imports rose sharply
January 9, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Ugne wraps up the Bruegel gas imports tracker for 2025:
- more imports (primarily from the US)
- less gas in storage
- higher implied gas demand
- more imports (primarily from the US)
- less gas in storage
- higher implied gas demand
A coordinated assault on critical heat, water, and electricity lifelines serving a city of several million people during freezing temperatures is a calculated cruelty.
Such a barbaric 'strategy' must not be allowed to succeed.
kyivindependent.com/4-injured-ru...
Such a barbaric 'strategy' must not be allowed to succeed.
kyivindependent.com/4-injured-ru...
January 9, 2026 at 11:43 AM
A coordinated assault on critical heat, water, and electricity lifelines serving a city of several million people during freezing temperatures is a calculated cruelty.
Such a barbaric 'strategy' must not be allowed to succeed.
kyivindependent.com/4-injured-ru...
Such a barbaric 'strategy' must not be allowed to succeed.
kyivindependent.com/4-injured-ru...
There is about 20g of #silver in a 1 kW solar panel.
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
January 8, 2026 at 8:13 AM
There is about 20g of #silver in a 1 kW solar panel.
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
Instead of about 25 LNG vessels in late 2024, the US now sends out about 35 LNG vessels per week.
Accordingly, US LNG exports are now about 40% higher than one year ago.
Accordingly, US LNG exports are now about 40% higher than one year ago.
January 7, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Instead of about 25 LNG vessels in late 2024, the US now sends out about 35 LNG vessels per week.
Accordingly, US LNG exports are now about 40% higher than one year ago.
Accordingly, US LNG exports are now about 40% higher than one year ago.
The US Energy Information Administration coincidentally plans to update its Country Briefing on the Venezuelan energy sector next month.
But already the current 2/2024 version is very insightful (really hope the high-quality, quite independent work can be kept up):
www.eia.gov/internationa...
1/5
But already the current 2/2024 version is very insightful (really hope the high-quality, quite independent work can be kept up):
www.eia.gov/internationa...
1/5
January 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
The US Energy Information Administration coincidentally plans to update its Country Briefing on the Venezuelan energy sector next month.
But already the current 2/2024 version is very insightful (really hope the high-quality, quite independent work can be kept up):
www.eia.gov/internationa...
1/5
But already the current 2/2024 version is very insightful (really hope the high-quality, quite independent work can be kept up):
www.eia.gov/internationa...
1/5
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
Kyiv in darkness. Blackouts in most districts, the city is in darkness from the Russian strikes.
Emergency and planned power outages have been introduced. Many shops, pharmacies work from generators
Russia terrorizes millions of people.
📹Galyna Lapina
Emergency and planned power outages have been introduced. Many shops, pharmacies work from generators
Russia terrorizes millions of people.
📹Galyna Lapina
January 4, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Kyiv in darkness. Blackouts in most districts, the city is in darkness from the Russian strikes.
Emergency and planned power outages have been introduced. Many shops, pharmacies work from generators
Russia terrorizes millions of people.
📹Galyna Lapina
Emergency and planned power outages have been introduced. Many shops, pharmacies work from generators
Russia terrorizes millions of people.
📹Galyna Lapina
Important power lines are typically configured as closed loops, so that a failure at one location still allows (almost) all substations to be supplied. The Berlin arson attack appears to have targeted a point where both lines run in parallel (the channel crossing).
openinframap.org#12.41/52.429...
openinframap.org#12.41/52.429...
January 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Important power lines are typically configured as closed loops, so that a failure at one location still allows (almost) all substations to be supplied. The Berlin arson attack appears to have targeted a point where both lines run in parallel (the channel crossing).
openinframap.org#12.41/52.429...
openinframap.org#12.41/52.429...
We see already the third large-scale power outage in Berlin in three years due to an arson attack: 2024 (Tesla), 2025 (Adlershof), 2026 (Zehlendorf).
Now, 35k households without electricity and often heating for several days, during freezing temperatures.
www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/strom...
Now, 35k households without electricity and often heating for several days, during freezing temperatures.
www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/strom...
January 4, 2026 at 9:27 AM
We see already the third large-scale power outage in Berlin in three years due to an arson attack: 2024 (Tesla), 2025 (Adlershof), 2026 (Zehlendorf).
Now, 35k households without electricity and often heating for several days, during freezing temperatures.
www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/strom...
Now, 35k households without electricity and often heating for several days, during freezing temperatures.
www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/strom...
For the first time since 2019, EU gas imports in 2025 structurally increased compared to the previous year - and this increase is essentially covered by US LNG.
December 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
For the first time since 2019, EU gas imports in 2025 structurally increased compared to the previous year - and this increase is essentially covered by US LNG.
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
See how Europe is concluding 2025 with updated data from @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker for week 50, 2025.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
December 19, 2025 at 8:37 AM
See how Europe is concluding 2025 with updated data from @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker for week 50, 2025.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
One question on #GridsPackage would be:
Do all highways follow the North Star?
[here, what it is about
www.euractiv.com/news/brussels-pitches-north-star-for-eu-power-grid-planning-to-rein-in-electricity-prices/ by @nkurmayer.bsky.social ]
Do all highways follow the North Star?
[here, what it is about
www.euractiv.com/news/brussels-pitches-north-star-for-eu-power-grid-planning-to-rein-in-electricity-prices/ by @nkurmayer.bsky.social ]
Brussels pitches 'North Star' for EU power grid planning to rein in electricity prices | Euractiv
Nationally minded grid planning is being blamed for the EU’s widening cross-border cable gap
www.euractiv.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
One question on #GridsPackage would be:
Do all highways follow the North Star?
[here, what it is about
www.euractiv.com/news/brussels-pitches-north-star-for-eu-power-grid-planning-to-rein-in-electricity-prices/ by @nkurmayer.bsky.social ]
Do all highways follow the North Star?
[here, what it is about
www.euractiv.com/news/brussels-pitches-north-star-for-eu-power-grid-planning-to-rein-in-electricity-prices/ by @nkurmayer.bsky.social ]
Poland secured the right to provide state aid to its first nuclear power plant:
- equity injection of 30% of project cost
- 100% state guarantees
- and a guaranteed price of 120€/MWh
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
- equity injection of 30% of project cost
- 100% state guarantees
- and a guaranteed price of 120€/MWh
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission approves State aid for the construction and operation of Poland\'s first nuclear power plant
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an aid package to support the construction and operation of the first nuclear power plant in Poland. The nuclear plant, with an electric
ec.europa.eu
December 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Poland secured the right to provide state aid to its first nuclear power plant:
- equity injection of 30% of project cost
- 100% state guarantees
- and a guaranteed price of 120€/MWh
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
- equity injection of 30% of project cost
- 100% state guarantees
- and a guaranteed price of 120€/MWh
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
Very interesting project by @bruegel.org here. Remarkable differences still in market value across Europe.
We launched our @bruegel.org EU Renewables Value Tracker based on great work by @mariejuge.bsky.social & @aroth.bsky.social:
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
December 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Very interesting project by @bruegel.org here. Remarkable differences still in market value across Europe.
We launched our @bruegel.org EU Renewables Value Tracker based on great work by @mariejuge.bsky.social & @aroth.bsky.social:
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
December 9, 2025 at 9:59 AM
We launched our @bruegel.org EU Renewables Value Tracker based on great work by @mariejuge.bsky.social & @aroth.bsky.social:
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
www.bruegel.org/dataset/eu-renewables-value-track
Five insights 🧵:
1) The value of additional solar plants in south-east Europe and particularly Italy is still very high.
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
✨ NEW DATASET: EU renewables value tracker
📊 This new tracker quantifies and visualises the economic value of EU variable renewable energy sources.
🖊️ Compiled by @mariejuge.bsky.social, @aroth.bsky.social and @gzachmann.bsky.social
🔗 Explore the dataset here: buff.ly/g2rTPT3
#EconSky
📊 This new tracker quantifies and visualises the economic value of EU variable renewable energy sources.
🖊️ Compiled by @mariejuge.bsky.social, @aroth.bsky.social and @gzachmann.bsky.social
🔗 Explore the dataset here: buff.ly/g2rTPT3
#EconSky
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
✨ NEW DATASET: EU renewables value tracker
📊 This new tracker quantifies and visualises the economic value of EU variable renewable energy sources.
🖊️ Compiled by @mariejuge.bsky.social, @aroth.bsky.social and @gzachmann.bsky.social
🔗 Explore the dataset here: buff.ly/g2rTPT3
#EconSky
📊 This new tracker quantifies and visualises the economic value of EU variable renewable energy sources.
🖊️ Compiled by @mariejuge.bsky.social, @aroth.bsky.social and @gzachmann.bsky.social
🔗 Explore the dataset here: buff.ly/g2rTPT3
#EconSky
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
My positive read of yesterday’s agreement: by handing control 🔑 of Russian gas to Brussels, we prevent member states from being played against each other ... also in the future.
youtu.be/eXF3EkzHy0A?...
youtu.be/eXF3EkzHy0A?...
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
My positive read of yesterday’s agreement: by handing control 🔑 of Russian gas to Brussels, we prevent member states from being played against each other ... also in the future.
youtu.be/eXF3EkzHy0A?...
youtu.be/eXF3EkzHy0A?...
Reposted by Georg Zachmann
EU reached a provisional agreement to ban RU gas, with LNG on 1 January 2027 and pipeline on 30 September 2027.
See current gas imports at @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker:
-Weekly RU gas via Turkstream at record seasonal levels
-RU LNG in November increased
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
See current gas imports at @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker:
-Weekly RU gas via Turkstream at record seasonal levels
-RU LNG in November increased
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
December 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
EU reached a provisional agreement to ban RU gas, with LNG on 1 January 2027 and pipeline on 30 September 2027.
See current gas imports at @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker:
-Weekly RU gas via Turkstream at record seasonal levels
-RU LNG in November increased
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
See current gas imports at @bruegel.org European gas imports tracker:
-Weekly RU gas via Turkstream at record seasonal levels
-RU LNG in November increased
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...