Today’s ESG Updates
- Norway’s Hydropower Faces Shortfall: A dry, snowless winter has left Norway’s snow reserves at their lowest in two decades.
- Europe Faces Potential Jet Fuel Shortage: With the Strait of Hormuz closed, jet fuel prices in Europe hit a record $1,900 per metric ton, with several countries projected to run out within months.
- France’s Largest Battery Under Construction: French renewable energy firm Neoen will begin building a 496 MWh battery storage facility this summer.
- UK Hits 52.5% Renewable Energy in 2025: Official data confirmed that over half of the UK’s electricity came from renewables last year.
Norway’s snow reserves dwindle following a dry winter
According to Bloomberg, Norway has been coined “Europe’s biggest battery” due to its massive hydropower system. Composed of thousands of dams, this system produces enough electricity to meet Norway’s domestic demand and allows the country to export large amounts of electricity. In 2025, 15% of hydropower production was exported. However, after a dry, snowless winter, one of Norway’s most significant exports is facing challenges.
Despite having its coldest winter since 2010, Norway’s winter was surprisingly dry. A deficit of 25 terrawatt hours has been created as a result of dwindling snow reserves, which are at their lowest level in two decades. Those 25 terrawatt hours account for a fifth of Norway’s total 2025 hydropower output. As a result, prices have risen, and exports to Germany and the UK have been reduced. Currently, hydro reserves are sufficient enough to cover this year’s contracts, but the future of the country’s renewable energy source remains largely unknown.
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Further reading: A Winter Without Snow Depletes Europe’s Clean Energy Reservoir
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Europe could experience jet fuel shortage
With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, Airports across Europe are facing a potential shortage of jet fuel. On Thursday, the price of jet fuel in Europe hit a record $1,900 per metric ton, and flights in the UK are already being canceled. Energy analysis firm Kpler estimates that France could be next. George Shaw, a senior oil analyst at Kpler, said, “France has the next-biggest deficit between supply and demand in our estimations after the U.K.” The publication Argus estimates that Portugal could run out of jet fuel in four months, and Denmark could run out in six.
In a 2025 analysis, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) wrote, “Europe has long been a net importer of jet fuel, with imports accounting for roughly 30 percent of regional demand. This growing reliance on imports, combined with uneven infrastructure development, underscores the risk of localized shortages and price volatility, particularly if geopolitical shocks or sanctions constrain global jet fuel availability further.”
So far, airlines have sufficient fuel to keep flying. Nevertheless, as the war in the Middle East continues, a future jet fuel shortage grows increasingly concerning.
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Further reading: Europe’s airports thirst for jet fuel
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Neoen to begin construction on France’s largest battery
Neoen, a French renewable energy firm, announced plans Thursday to begin construction on its largest battery in Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine, France, about 90 km southeast of Paris. In partnership with Japanese manufacturer Nidec ASI, the battery is expected to have a capacity of 496 MWh. Nidec will supply the battery modules for assembly in France. Construction is set to begin this summer, with operations expected to begin in 2028. The battery is expected to increase France’s renewable energy capabilities and relieve congestion in the Île-de-France area of the electricity network. This is the firm’s second large-scale battery storage project, following the near-completion of its Breizh Big Battery in Brittany, which has a capacity of 183 MWh.
The CEO of Neoen France, Guillaume Decaen, said, “This battery will contribute significantly to the protection and stability of the Île-de-France network and will enable Neoen to offer innovative solutions to its customers.”
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Further reading: Neoen announces the launch of France’s largest battery
UK’s power mix exceeds 50% renewables in 2025
Official data published Thursday confirmed that 52.5% of the UK’s energy mix came from renewables. Electricity generated from solar, wind, and biomass rose by 5.7% in 2025. Combined with nuclear power, which saw a 12% drop last year, clean energy made up 64.8% of Britain’s electricity generation. Michael Shanks, the UK’s Minister for Energy, said, “Britain didn’t just break records in 2025 – we blew them away. Wind generated over 30% of our electricity, and solar grew by 37% — a major step towards greater control over our energy, our bills, and our future.”
The government hopes to see 95% clean energy by 2030. As the conflict in the Middle East continues, Shanks emphasized the UK’s need to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels.
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Further reading: Wind and solar power delivered record share of UK electricity in 2025
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: A lone white house on the Osterfjord, Norway. Cover Photo Credit: RE Walsh
