Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19h

It's clear that Europe needs to build out grid infrastructure faster, and use its existing grids more effectively. Without action, grid connection bottlenecks will continue to delay the roll-out of renewables and the future-proofing of key industries.
beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/10/08/e...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19h

Since too many energy regulators are heading into the future with tools of the past, our new briefing written with @regassistproj.bsky.social lays out two key recommendations for European energy regulators focussing on independent oversight and transparency regarding their planning and investment.

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19h

⚡ Europe’s grid buildout is too slow. Without faster upgrades and smarter use of existing infrastructure, renewables and key industries will stay stuck in bottlenecks. Regulators must ensure grid operators plan and invest for a clean, secure energy future.

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19h

Faster connections will only accelerate electrification and the deployment of homegrown renewables, allowing Europe to reduce dependence on volatile energy imports.

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19h

Electricity grid upgrades are central to Europe's future energy security and competitiveness.
To achieve this, it needs to:
1️⃣ Give national regulators a statutory mandate for the energy transition.
2️⃣ Create independent system operators and planners (ISOPs) to oversee grid planning in the public
🧵1/5

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 1d

If you're passionate about the difference civil society can make to replace fossil fuels with local energy solutions in a just way, and are an experienced civil society organisation campaign strategist, we want to hear from you.
Apply before 19 October: beyondfossilfuels.org/about-us/wor...

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Reposted by Beyond Fossil Fuels

The Green Tank @thegreentank.bsky.social · 2d

🚨 #WesternBalkan govts plan 2,500 km of #gas pipelines (10.5 bcm/yr) -could x3 dependence⛽or end up as stranded assets💸.
⚡They use just 1% of the EU’s gas-a rare chance to skip gas & leapfrog to #renewables🌞💨.
📖 New report @ceebankwatch.bsky.social & @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social

shorturl.at/cFWkT

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 2d

The Iberian blackout wasn’t caused by 🇪🇸's reliance on renewables.
Its fossil-era grid was unprepared for today’s energy mix.
“As power systems evolve, enhanced grid upgrades & a focus on clean flex are essential for resilience,” @ember-energy.org's Chris Rosslowe.
www.euractiv.com/news/iberian...

www.euractiv.com

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 5d

New @ember-energy.org analysis shows that between December 2019 and June 2025, Spain x2 its wind & solar capacity, adding more than any EU country except Germany.
In other words, renewables are displacing fossil fuels and making wholesale electricity cheaper.
ember-energy.org/latest-insig...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 6d

The fossil fuel industry is exploiting 🇪🇺's scramble to replace Russian gas to lock the continent into a long-term dependence on dirty energy, says Al Gore.
Replacing it with new 🇺🇸 LNG is moving from one gas trap to another instead of pursuing true energy security.
www.politico.eu/article/al-g...

Fossil fuel industry exploiting Europe’s energy crisis, says Al Gore

Former U.S. vice president warns EU risks locking into long-term dependence on dirty energy.

www.politico.eu

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 6d

🎓 Attention all students, teachers, professors and staff - miss our spotlight on how schools and universities can do to cut back on emissions, and costs?
Read through our thread and find out what measures your institution could take to drive the energy transition while learning. 📚

Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 19d

🎓 It’s already mid-September and class is well and truly back in session. This month we’re spotlighting what schools and universities across Europe can do to cut back on emissions, and costs!

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 8d

"The region stands at a crossroads. One path leads to decades of fossil fuel lock-in and stranded assets. The other leads to energy independence, EU integration and a fair renewable energy system that works for everyone," says Pippa Gallop @ceebankwatch.bsky.social.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 9d

🌍 The energy transition isn’t just about climate—it’s lowering bills, creating jobs, and making communities stronger against extreme weather and earthquakes. Renewables mean savings, resilience, and local power, says @duygukutluay.bsky.social.

Read the article 👉 bianet.org/yazi/the-pow...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 9d

The Western Balkans use just 1% as much fossil gas as the EU.
They have a rare chance to skip gas and leapfrog straight to renewables, like solar and wind energy, heat pumps and geothermal.
Our rew report with @ceebankwatch.bsky.social👇
beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/09/25/d...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 12d

📢 Türkiye’s 2035 climate target is moving in the wrong direction and will see its emissions increase by 16%.
🌍 Climate Network (Iklim Ağı) is calling:
📌 Stop fossil fuel investments
📌 Ensure a Just Transition
📌 Deliver clean air & green spaces
Find out more 👉 iklimagi.org/turkiyenin-i...

Türkiye’nin iklim hedefi emisyonları azaltmak yerine artırıyor - İklim Ağı

İklim Ağı, Türkiye’nin 2035 iklim hedefinin sera gazı emisyonlarını azaltmak yerine, 2023 yılına göre yüzde 16 oranında artıracağını belirtti. Açıklamada, Türkiye’nin bugünden itibaren sera gazlarını ...

iklimagi.org

Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 13d

What runs primarily on fossil fuels and is set to consume as much electricity as the entire New England region by 2030? Microsoft's AI data centers.

But don't take it on faith – read @stand.earth's latest report here: stand.earth/microsoft-ai

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 13d

🚨Western Balkans govts are pushing fossil gas pipelines with an annual import capacity of 10.5 billion cubic metres. These could triple their dependence — or end up as stranded assets.
Our new report with @ceebankwatch.bsky.social explains why gas is a dead end.
beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/09/25/d...

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

US President Trump also called climate change "the biggest con job ever perpetrated."
Someone should tell the melting glaciers it's a joke before they disappear entirely.
www.wwf.org.uk/updates/here...

Here are 10 myths about climate change

We've tried to clear up some of the most frequently heard myths about climate change.

www.wwf.org.uk

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

Next? Describing Germany's energy transition as a "sick path.”
In 2024, it generated 43% of its electricity from wind and solar energy. It will only be a sick path if its planned fossil gas expansion goes ahead.
More expensive energy bills aren't healthy for anyone.
ember-energy.org/countries-an...

Germany | Ember

Explore the latest data on Germany’s energy transition. How clean is Germany's electricity? How much renewable electricity does Germany generate? How ambitious is Germany's renewables target?

ember-energy.org

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

According to Trump, renewables only work with govt subsidies and “if you don’t get away from this green energy scam, your country will fail.”
We wonder how 🇺🇸 fossil fuel companies would cope if their govt didn't subsidise them to the tune of nearly $31bn/year. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Fossil-fuel firms receive US subsidies worth $31bn each year, study finds

Figure calculated by Oil Change International has more than doubled since 2017 but is likely a vast understatement

www.theguardian.com

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

Renewables are “the most expensive energy ever conceived.”
Awkward. According to the UN (where Trump spoke) renewables are the cheapest & fastest way of generating new energy.
By 2023, 96% of newly installed solar & onshore wind had lower costs than new coal & gas plants!
www.un.org/sites/un2.un...

www.un.org

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

If renewables are such a "joke", and "pathetic", then why do more than 3/4 of Europeans in a recent poll say they want domestic renewables over imported fossil fuels?

Coincidentally worth noting that 81% also said they don’t trust Trump as an energy supplier?
www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...

Europeans don’t trust Trump or Putin to supply energy, poll shows

People in Europe believe their countries should prioritise investment in domestic renewable energy over imported fossil fuels.

www.euronews.com

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

US President Trump’s speech at the UN yesterday was punchy and imaginative (read: a fact-free climate denial deluxe).

We’ve highlighted some records we’d like to set straight.

Buckle up and sit tight, this might take a few minutes. 🧵
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnzq...

Live: Trump’s full speech at United Nations General Assembly 2025

YouTube video by Business Standard

www.youtube.com

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 14d

AI is driving a surge in data centres' hunger for power.
But whether that new demand is met with existing renewables or fossil fuels, it's unsustainable.
Listen to @jillmcardle.bsky.social during @biofuelwatch.bsky.social's webinar on AI tomorrow, sign up 👇
actionnetwork.org/events/the-e...

Powering AI through fossil fuels and Drax’s tree burning? The environmental impacts of AI data centres & how to take action

Did you know that the UK's single largest carbon emitter and the world’s biggest tree burner, Drax, has submitted a bid for public money to power an AI data centre using its tree burning? Drax’s b...

actionnetwork.org

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Beyond Fossil Fuels @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social · 15d

👏 @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social for exposing the gas rip-off! Gas was just 30% of UK power last year but glas plants set prices 97% of the time.
That's how 2 plants made £18m in 3 hrs last winter.
Time to stop rigging energy in favour of fossil fuels!
www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/greenpe...

Greenpeace activists scale power station’s 75-metre chimney stacks to protest ‘The Great Gas Rip-Off’ - Greenpeace UK

Campaigners demand energy reforms to stop expensive gas from setting electricity prices and pushing up bills.

www.greenpeace.org.uk

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