The section emphasizes the importance of viewing decarbonization as a market creation challenge, influenced by institutions, culture, and material conditions. It highlights successful climate actions from the past year, such as transmission buildouts, electric vehicle mandates, and industrial policies focusing on scale. The text stresses the role of markets in driving technological innovation and societal change, using examples from history to illustrate the impact of inclusive versus extractive institutions on market development. Ultimately, it concludes that delay in climate action is a choice, not guaranteed success, and that supportive institutions are needed to enable the growth of clean energy markets and accelerate climate action.
Author: Cleantechnica
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Could American “Spirited Self-Determination” Reshape Energy?
Schneider Electric has been partnering with the National Laboratory of the Rockies for a decade to tackle energy questions, focusing on projects such as analyzing the U.S. energy economy in 2050 and developing smart panels for homeowners. The partnership aims to bring together electric ingenuity, automation, artificial intelligence, and digital control to provide better energy solutions, with outcomes potentially leading to reduced energy costs and greater control over electricity flow for Americans. Schneider Electric is investing in technologies and systems to adapt to America's energy future, exploring plausible energy futures and preparing to navigate change based on insights. The partnership is also analyzing the potential energy and cost savings of smart panels for American consumers and utilities, with simulations being conducted to quantify the long-term benefits of this technology. Together, Schneider Electric and NLR are focused on making a significant impact in the energy sector, aiming for greater resilience, affordability, and competitiveness in the future energy landscape.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/23/could-american-spirited-self-determination-reshape-energy/
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Zambia Wants To Add 2.3MW Of Solar Coupled With A 4.16MWh Battery To Each One Of The Country’s 156 Constituencies
Zambia is implementing the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative to diversify its energy mix and improve electricity access. With 87% of its grid powered by renewables, the country is focusing on solar energy to combat electricity rationing caused by dwindling water levels in hydropower plants. The initiative aims to deploy 2MW solar PV power plants with battery storage in all 156 constituencies, totaling 359 MWp capacity. This innovative approach could serve as a model for other countries in the South African Development Community and beyond, benefiting national development and providing localized energy resilience.
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US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too
The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/
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Hyundai Motor Highlights WFP Partnership Achievements in Films on IONIQ 5’s Role in Sustainable Humanitarian Operations
Hyundai Motor Company has partnered with the UN World Food Programme to showcase the use of Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicles in humanitarian operations in the Philippines and other countries. The deployment of IONIQ 5s, along with EV charging and solar PV infrastructure, aims to reduce emissions, achieve carbon neutrality, and support aid efforts. Hyundai Motor's donation of IONIQ 5 vehicles and support for energy efficiency initiatives demonstrate a commitment to addressing climate change and fostering sustainable humanitarian activities, providing lower-emission mobility solutions, saving operating costs, and enabling more access to renewable energy for food-insecure communities in climate-affected locations. The EVs feature advanced technologies to ensure efficient and sustainable transportation of supplies, showcasing Hyundai's dedication to innovative and sustainable humanitarian solutions.
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EVs Take 32.9% Share In France – Renault 5 Record Volume
In November, plugin EVs accounted for 32.9% of auto sales in France, with BEVs experiencing nearly a 50% year-on-year growth. The Renault 5 emerged as the top-selling BEV, achieving record sales volume. This surge in BEV sales is attributed to the Social Leasing program and the production ramp-up of affordable new models, leading to a steep decline in diesel and petrol vehicle sales. Renault and Hyundai Inster are gaining market share for electric vehicles, with BEVs and some HEVs seeing growth while combustion-only vehicles are facing losses. Despite a weak macroeconomy, the focus in France remains on transitioning to electric vehicles, with questions about BEV market share in December and the potential impact on Tesla's market position.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/20/evs-take-32-9-share-in-france-renault-5-record-volume/
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EVs At 65.4% Share In Sweden – Incentive Scheme Incoming
In November, plugin EVs dominated auto sales in Sweden, with BEVs at 40.4% and PHEVs at 25.0%. Despite a slight decrease in BEV volume, the overall market saw a 15% decrease in auto volume. The Volvo EX40 led the BEV sales, with the Volkswagen ID.7 and Kia EV3 following closely behind. New government incentives for BEV purchases in H1 2026 are expected to further boost the market. Combustion-only vehicles accounted for 21.8% of sales, with the overall market down over 30% YoY. The upcoming entry of Mercedes CLA into the top 20 rankings and positive macroeconomic trends in Sweden are also discussed, highlighting the potential impact of the incentive scheme on the EV transition.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/20/evs-at-65-4-share-in-sweden-incentive-scheme-incoming/
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38 Coastal, Remote, & Island Communities To Pursue Energy Reliability via Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project
The Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) is supporting various coastal, remote, and island communities across the United States in addressing their unique energy challenges. Through strategic energy planning, communities are working on projects to strengthen energy systems against extreme weather events, explore new local generation options, and design microgrids for outage protection. The program focuses on improving energy efficiency, lowering costs, incorporating renewable energy sources, and aligning with traditional values. ETIPP continues to expand its regional presence and assist communities in developing reliable and affordable energy systems to enhance resilience and security.
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Ampersand Energy Opens Its Battery Swap Network To Global Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers
Ampersand Energy in East Africa is making significant strides in the electric motorcycle sector by partnering with Wylex Mobility and BYD to expand its battery swap network and build 40,000 electric motorcycles by 2026. This marks a major milestone for electric transport in Africa, as Ampersand becomes the first company to open its batteries and swap network to third-party vehicle manufacturers, setting the stage for interoperability in the African electric motorcycle sector. Ampersand's battery swap network, already delivering over 20,000 swaps a day, is built for speed and reliability, powering millions of kilometers of travel in Rwanda and Kenya. The partnership with BYD not only aims to electrify a large portion of Africa's commercial motorbikes but also opens the door for more quality brands to integrate into the market without building energy infrastructure from scratch, fostering growth and unlocking the full potential of the East African electric motorcycle market.
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Assessing Global Progress 10 Years After Paris Climate Accords
Despite criticism, the Paris Climate Accords have led to significant progress in the shift towards clean energy, with renewable energy growing by 15% and accounting for over 90% of new power generation capacity. Investment in clean energy has surpassed that in fossil fuels, and electric vehicles now make up a fifth of new car sales globally. The agreement has reshaped policy, finance, and sectoral rules, but its ultimate success depends on political leaders closing the ambition gap, phasing out fossil fuels, and scaling up finance for a just transition. Commitments made since the Paris agreement have brought the projected temperature increase down to about 2.8°C, but more ambitious action is needed to phase out fossil fuels and meet net zero emissions targets earlier.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/14/assessing-global-progress-10-years-after-paris-climate-accords/