Laatste nieuws in green
Dutch Bank Launches Program Making Home Energy Upgrades Cost-Free for Homeowners
The Hague, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
ABN AMRO has launched a groundbreaking pilot program targeting 1,500 homeowners in southern Netherlands, making sustainable home improvements financially neutral by ensuring energy savings offset upgrade costs. Built on TNO research methodology, the program could potentially serve 450,000 homes in the bank’s mortgage portfolio without increasing monthly expenses. Participants achieve average 35% carbon emission reductions through heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation installations while maintaining current housing costs, addressing the primary financial barrier preventing residential energy transitions.
AI Could Fast-Track Europe's Renewable Energy Goals Despite Global Slowdown
Brussels, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
While renewable energy deployment faces headwinds globally, artificial intelligence emerges as a game-changer for Europe’s clean energy transition. With renewables already powering nearly half of European electricity in 2024, AI technologies are optimizing grid management and energy distribution to overcome critical bottlenecks. The technology enables real-time demand forecasting and seamless integration of intermittent solar and wind power, potentially unlocking hidden capacity in existing infrastructure and accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels at lower costs.
Wind and Solar Power Surpass Fossil Fuels in European Union for First Time
Brussels, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
Europe reached a historic energy milestone in 2025 as renewable sources generated 30% of electricity compared to fossil fuels’ 29%. Solar power drove this breakthrough with remarkable 20% annual growth for four consecutive years, now providing over one-fifth of electricity in countries like the Netherlands and Spain. This shift occurred across 14 EU member states, with coal falling to just 9.2% of generation. However, infrastructure challenges persist as outdated power grids force renewable operators to waste electricity during peak production periods.
AI Data Centers Could Boost US Carbon Emissions by 29% Within a Decade
United States, Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
AI systems now match New York City’s carbon footprint and consume water equivalent to global bottled water usage annually. Without policy intervention, data center emissions could surge 19-29% over the next ten years as electricity demand skyrockets 60-80% by 2050.
Europe Awards €270 Million to Six Hydrogen Projects That Will Cut Millions of Tonnes of CO2
Brussels, Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
The European Commission has finalized grant agreements with six renewable hydrogen projects, injecting €270.6 million from emissions trading revenues into clean energy infrastructure. These facilities, located across Spain, Finland, and Norway, will collectively produce 500,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually over the next decade. The projects represent a breakthrough in commercial-scale hydrogen production, with installations ranging from 5 to 200 megawatts of electrolyser capacity. Most significantly, these initiatives will eliminate 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over their operational lifetime, equivalent to removing hundreds of thousands of cars from European roads permanently.