Top 10 energy stories from the past week
This week, we once again bring you a carefully selected list of the ten most important articles published on oEnergetice.cz. If you missed any of them, here is a selection of the articles that attracted the most interest from our readers. Good luck in the week ahead!
1. The world’s oldest commercially operated nuclear reactor has restarted
Unit 2 of the Tarapur nuclear power plant in India has been reconnected to the grid. One of the world’s oldest commercial reactors still in operation has been granted a licence to operate for another decade. This was reported by the official press agency of the Indian government.
India’s nuclear fleet reached a significant milestone in February this year, when a new unit at the Rajasthan power plant first reached full operating power. The restart of Unit 2 at the Tarapur nuclear power plant is another milestone. In June, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved the restart and authorised the unit to operate for another 10 years.
Read the full article HERE.
2. Renewables covered a record 58% of Germany’s electricity consumption in the first half of the year
The share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources in Germany’s gross electricity consumption reached a record 58% in the first half of this year. Renewables also accounted for a similar share of total electricity generation. Higher wind power output was the main contributor to the new all-time high.
According to preliminary data published by the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), renewables’ share of gross electricity consumption in Germany rose by three percentage points year on year to 58%, after falling year on year over the same period last year due to weak wind power output. Germany aims to raise this share to 80% by 2030.
Read the full article HERE.
3. The French precedent for ČEZ: why the state nationalised EDF, and is ČEZ in the same position?
One of the key questions in Czech energy in recent months has been whether and how the state should gain full control over the generation business of ČEZ. France faced a similar question with EDF. Its offer documents show why the state ultimately decided to take over the company in full.
Since the last election to the Chamber of Deputies, the debate over ČEZ’s future has moved beyond the political statements that have accompanied the company for several years and into the realm of concrete steps towards nationalisation. At the beginning of June, the company’s general meeting approved a plan to split up ČEZ and transfer some activities considered less important to the state to a new subsidiary. According to plans made public, the subsidiary would primarily take over electricity and gas trading and distribution activities.
Read the full article HERE.
4. US LNG heads to Latin America as Europe loses its dominant position for the first time in two years
US exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Latin America and the Caribbean surged in June to their highest level in more than three years. Brazil became the largest buyer, significantly increasing imports amid higher electricity demand. Global trade flows are also shifting. For the first time in almost two years, Europe did not take the majority of US LNG, according to data from S&P Platts Commodity Insights.
In June, the United States exported almost 1.38 billion m³ of natural gas in the form of LNG to Latin America and the Caribbean, an increase of approximately 55% compared with May. This was the highest monthly volume since May 2023 and nearly 10% higher year on year.
Read the full article HERE.
5. OECD: tripling nuclear capacity by mid-century requires major changes
The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency has published a report, Nuclear Energy Outlook: Global Installed Capacity to 2050 and Beyond, assessing the potential development of installed nuclear power capacity through 2050 and beyond. According to the NEA, nuclear energy is returning to the heart of energy strategies after decades of decline in many OECD countries, particularly in relation to energy security, decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness.
Read the full article HERE.
6. Small modular reactors in Poland: OSGE seeks support and plans first unit for 2032
Polish company Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) has asked the government to introduce a support scheme for the construction of 14 BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs). If the European Commission approves the proposed support, it could be the first use of a Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism for small modular reactors in the European Union. OSGE plans to bring the first unit online in 2032, according to a press release.
The application covers 14 reactors at three sites: Włocławek, Stawy Monowskie near Oświęcim, and Stalowa Wola. It is the first phase of OSGE’s wider programme, which envisages building up to 26 BWRX-300 units. If these plans come to fruition, Poland could become one of the first European operators of a large fleet of small modular reactors.
Read the full article HERE.
7. Solar power generation and electric mobility in the EU hit records in 2025
Growth was also reflected in new installations. Renewable capacity additions remained at a record level in 2025, approaching 70 GW. Most of this came from solar PV, which added 56 GW of new installed capacity. Wind farms, including both onshore and offshore projects, added a further 13 GW. The European Commission’s figures therefore confirm that solar power remains the main driver of new renewable capacity in the EU.
Read the full article HERE.
8. Hydrogen development shifts to the Middle East
As reported by RenewablesNow, the conglomerate has announced its involvement in one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it is scaling back its presence in the US market. These changes reflect the challenges facing emerging hydrogen markets, as energy companies adjust their investment plans to demand that is lower than originally expected.
Read the full article HERE.
9. US plans to loosen radiation protection rules to speed up reactor construction
A key element of the proposal is the complete repeal of the long-standing standard known as ALARA (short for As Low as Reasonably Achievable). This principle has required nuclear facility operators to minimise radiation exposure for workers and the public, even when exposure was already well below legal limits.
Read the full article HERE.
10. A new prime minister’s first energy test: Britain debates North Sea extraction
While the outgoing Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer based its energy policy primarily on developing renewable energy and gradually phasing out fossil fuels, the ongoing war between Israel and Iran has fundamentally changed the way energy security is viewed. Restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices have again highlighted Europe’s vulnerability to disruptions in global energy supplies.
Read the full article HERE.
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Translation disclaimer
This article is a machine translation of the Czech original and has not yet been fully reviewed. In case of any doubt, please refer to the Czech version.
