Keywords: Energy costs


China retail sales stall in April as economic momentum weakens

China’s economy lost significant momentum in April as consumer spending nearly stalled and major industrial indicators missed expectations, reinforcing concerns over weakening domestic demand and rising economic pressure. Official data released Monday showed retail sales rose just 0.2% year on......

Solar with battery storage undercuts fossil fuel power costs

Solar and wind energy combined with battery storage can now deliver continuous electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels in regions with strong natural resources, according to a new report by International Renewable Energy Agency. The findings come as global energy markets face sustained pressure,......

Spain’s industrial prices surge as rising energy costs drive inflation pressures

Industrial prices in Spain have recorded their fastest annual increase in a year, driven largely by a sharp rise in energy costs, according to recent data from the National Statistics Institute. After several months of decline, producer prices rebounded strongly in March, reflecting a shift in market......

TotalEnergies workers go on strike in France over fuel prices

Service station employees at TotalEnergies have gone on strike across France to protest rising fuel prices and demand higher wages, according to union representatives. The industrial action comes as workers argue that they are struggling to cope with increased living costs linked to higher fuel prices.......

Oil supply shock drives global shift as China boosts clean tech exports

The war in Iran has triggered what energy officials describe as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. The shock has reshaped energy demand patterns and accelerated a shift toward alternative sources, placing China at the center of the transition. Despite being Iran’s......

China producer prices turn positive for first time in over three years

China's producer prices rose in March for the first time in more than three years. Data published Friday showed energy costs surging from the Iran war lifted the world's second-largest economy out of prolonged deflation. The producer price index climbed 0.5% year-on-year, the National Bureau......

Iran war threatens Asia's AI boom as energy costs surge

Asia's artificial intelligence ambitions face a significant test as the conflict in Iran drives up energy prices, strains supply chains, and raises production costs across the region's semiconductor industry, even as chip exports reach historic highs. South Korea's semiconductor exports......

Canada offers financial aid to farmers hit by Iran war price surge

The Canadian government has introduced new financial support measures to help farmers and agri-food businesses cope with rising costs triggered by global market disruptions linked to the Iran conflict. Through Farm Credit Canada, producers and food companies will be able to access expanded financial......

German economy projected to grow just 1% in 2026, chamber warns

Germany’s economy is projected to grow by only 1% in 2026, according to the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), slightly above its earlier forecast of 0.7%. The chamber emphasized that structural reforms are essential to achieve a more sustainable recovery. Helena Melnikov, managing......