Steve Nicholls
@nichollssteve.bsky.social
Fascinated by climate change and energy transitions, technical, economic and geo-political. Views possibly my own but could be predetermined by my past.
This is a really exciting milestone for African Energy Futures. The launch of our first call for proposals to host an Energy Research Hub. Join us for the launch event on December 3rd
On the 3rd of December 2025, with generous support from
@rockefellerfdn.bsky.social, African Energy Futures will launch our first call for proposals for African-based institutions to host a million dollar energy research hub. Register here:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
@rockefellerfdn.bsky.social, African Energy Futures will launch our first call for proposals for African-based institutions to host a million dollar energy research hub. Register here:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
This is a really exciting milestone for African Energy Futures. The launch of our first call for proposals to host an Energy Research Hub. Join us for the launch event on December 3rd
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
NEW: The first evidence of a solar take-off in Africa☀️✈️
x33 rise in Algeria solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths.
x8 in Zambia
x7 in Botswana
x6 in Sudan
x3 in each of Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia
🧵
x33 rise in Algeria solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths.
x8 in Zambia
x7 in Botswana
x6 in Sudan
x3 in each of Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia
🧵
August 26, 2025 at 7:23 AM
NEW: The first evidence of a solar take-off in Africa☀️✈️
x33 rise in Algeria solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths.
x8 in Zambia
x7 in Botswana
x6 in Sudan
x3 in each of Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia
🧵
x33 rise in Algeria solar panel imports in the 12 mths to June 2025, compared to previous 12 mths.
x8 in Zambia
x7 in Botswana
x6 in Sudan
x3 in each of Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia
🧵
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Our Energy and AI Observatory tracks the growing links between the energy sector & this transformative technology.
It features new interactive tools to explore data centre electricity demand & how AI is being used across the sector.
Try it out ➡️ iea.li/46f5fob
It features new interactive tools to explore data centre electricity demand & how AI is being used across the sector.
Try it out ➡️ iea.li/46f5fob
August 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Our Energy and AI Observatory tracks the growing links between the energy sector & this transformative technology.
It features new interactive tools to explore data centre electricity demand & how AI is being used across the sector.
Try it out ➡️ iea.li/46f5fob
It features new interactive tools to explore data centre electricity demand & how AI is being used across the sector.
Try it out ➡️ iea.li/46f5fob
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Expect an increase in the frequency and duration of wind droughts in a world that has a reduced equator-to-pole temperature difference #climate 🧪🌊
Prolonged wind droughts in a warming climate threaten global wind power security - Nature Climate Change
Prolonged low wind speeds can lead to a strong reduction in wind power generation. Here, the authors show that such wind drought events become more frequent and extended under global warming, threaten...
www.nature.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Expect an increase in the frequency and duration of wind droughts in a world that has a reduced equator-to-pole temperature difference #climate 🧪🌊
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Which climate scenario will we track?
Even with CO₂ emissions lower than SSP5-8.5, we are tracking and could continue to track above 'the worst case scenario'.
When we continue to decrease aerosols, emit more and more methane and with failing carbon sinks.
Even with CO₂ emissions lower than SSP5-8.5, we are tracking and could continue to track above 'the worst case scenario'.
When we continue to decrease aerosols, emit more and more methane and with failing carbon sinks.
July 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Which climate scenario will we track?
Even with CO₂ emissions lower than SSP5-8.5, we are tracking and could continue to track above 'the worst case scenario'.
When we continue to decrease aerosols, emit more and more methane and with failing carbon sinks.
Even with CO₂ emissions lower than SSP5-8.5, we are tracking and could continue to track above 'the worst case scenario'.
When we continue to decrease aerosols, emit more and more methane and with failing carbon sinks.
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
AEF Director Steve Nicholls is in Trieste, Italy, attending the Climate Compatible Growth #CCG Energy Modelling Platform. What are rare and amazing opportunity for Global South energy modelling and policy practitioners to build important skills and networks.
July 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
AEF Director Steve Nicholls is in Trieste, Italy, attending the Climate Compatible Growth #CCG Energy Modelling Platform. What are rare and amazing opportunity for Global South energy modelling and policy practitioners to build important skills and networks.
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Governments can be held legally responsible for climate inaction, the world’s highest court said in a landmark decision on Wednesday, opening the door to a cascade of lawsuits.
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
World’s top court says climate inaction can breach international law
Nonmembership of the Paris Agreement doesn’t exempt countries from duty to fight global warming, ICJ says.
www.politico.eu
July 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Governments can be held legally responsible for climate inaction, the world’s highest court said in a landmark decision on Wednesday, opening the door to a cascade of lawsuits.
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
www.politico.eu/article/top-...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Geospatial mapping reveals the scale of the clean cooking challenge
Millions live in areas with little or no access & limited infrastructure, from LPG storage & distribution to power reliability
Investing in these gaps is key to scaling up solutions 👉 iea.li/3ISaFM8
Millions live in areas with little or no access & limited infrastructure, from LPG storage & distribution to power reliability
Investing in these gaps is key to scaling up solutions 👉 iea.li/3ISaFM8
July 20, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Geospatial mapping reveals the scale of the clean cooking challenge
Millions live in areas with little or no access & limited infrastructure, from LPG storage & distribution to power reliability
Investing in these gaps is key to scaling up solutions 👉 iea.li/3ISaFM8
Millions live in areas with little or no access & limited infrastructure, from LPG storage & distribution to power reliability
Investing in these gaps is key to scaling up solutions 👉 iea.li/3ISaFM8
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
I'm excited to share our Global Synthesis on Urban #Nature-based solutions. A meta-analysis of over 60 review papers combined with review from NBS experts in 7 global regions. See insights as well other articles in this Special Feature in PNAS, an output from NATURA www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Global synthesis and regional insights for mainstreaming urban nature-based solutions | PNAS
Nature-based solutions (NbS) have emerged as a key strategy for sustainably addressing
multiple urban challenges, with rapidly increasing knowledge...
www.pnas.org
July 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I'm excited to share our Global Synthesis on Urban #Nature-based solutions. A meta-analysis of over 60 review papers combined with review from NBS experts in 7 global regions. See insights as well other articles in this Special Feature in PNAS, an output from NATURA www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
🔋The risks associated with heavy reliance on CDR means that states should prioritize pathways that minimize overshoot and the reliance on CDR to reach net-zero CO2 emissions, the paper concludes.
Read the paper: ow.ly/QXXt50WpM7w
Read the paper: ow.ly/QXXt50WpM7w
Figures & data: Implications of states’ dependence on carbon dioxide removal for achieving the Paris temperature goal
Figures and data for Implications of states’ dependence on carbon dioxide removal for achieving the Paris temperature goal
ow.ly
July 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
🔋The risks associated with heavy reliance on CDR means that states should prioritize pathways that minimize overshoot and the reliance on CDR to reach net-zero CO2 emissions, the paper concludes.
Read the paper: ow.ly/QXXt50WpM7w
Read the paper: ow.ly/QXXt50WpM7w
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
⚠️Countries are taking large risks by relying so heavily on carbon dioxide removal to meet their climate goals.
Combined with inadequate near-term reductions, countries are potentially jeopardizing the Paris climate targets due to CDR, according to new research 🧵
Combined with inadequate near-term reductions, countries are potentially jeopardizing the Paris climate targets due to CDR, according to new research 🧵
July 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
⚠️Countries are taking large risks by relying so heavily on carbon dioxide removal to meet their climate goals.
Combined with inadequate near-term reductions, countries are potentially jeopardizing the Paris climate targets due to CDR, according to new research 🧵
Combined with inadequate near-term reductions, countries are potentially jeopardizing the Paris climate targets due to CDR, according to new research 🧵
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
The Upper Temperature Limit For Human Safety Is Lower Than We Thought #cdnpoli #ClimateChange www.sciencealert.com/the-upper-te...
The Upper Temperature Limit For Human Safety Is Lower Than We Thought
Extreme heat has been breaking records across Europe, Asia and North America, with millions of people sweltering in heat and humidity well above "normal" for days on end.
www.sciencealert.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Upper Temperature Limit For Human Safety Is Lower Than We Thought #cdnpoli #ClimateChange www.sciencealert.com/the-upper-te...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Africa building cheap energy with solar
Lots of cheap and reliable solar from China
@cleanpowerdave.bsky.social @ember-energy.org
Lots of cheap and reliable solar from China
@cleanpowerdave.bsky.social @ember-energy.org
July 2, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Africa building cheap energy with solar
Lots of cheap and reliable solar from China
@cleanpowerdave.bsky.social @ember-energy.org
Lots of cheap and reliable solar from China
@cleanpowerdave.bsky.social @ember-energy.org
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Severe climate effects are hitting earlier and harder than scientists anticipated, and they don't really know why, but don't worry, I'm sure everything is fine.
The World Is Warming Up. And It’s Happening Faster.
www.nytimes.com
June 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Severe climate effects are hitting earlier and harder than scientists anticipated, and they don't really know why, but don't worry, I'm sure everything is fine.
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Join the African Energy Futures community of researchers and track our call for proposals on our website: africanenergyfutures.org. Let us know if you are working on energy modelling in Africa.
African Energy Futures | Energy Research for Africa
Empowering Africa-led energy planning through local research hubs, inclusive collaboration, and real-world policy impact shaping Africa’s energy future.
africanenergyfutures.org
June 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Join the African Energy Futures community of researchers and track our call for proposals on our website: africanenergyfutures.org. Let us know if you are working on energy modelling in Africa.
Please join me at the African Energy Futures Initative, supporting energy research across Africa. Energy is critical for development and African-led solutions are critical in unlocking investment. We are looking for an African-based French-speaker.
africanclimatefoundation.bamboohr.com/careers/86
africanclimatefoundation.bamboohr.com/careers/86
April 24, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Please join me at the African Energy Futures Initative, supporting energy research across Africa. Energy is critical for development and African-led solutions are critical in unlocking investment. We are looking for an African-based French-speaker.
africanclimatefoundation.bamboohr.com/careers/86
africanclimatefoundation.bamboohr.com/careers/86
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
NEW – Analysis: Nearly 60 countries have ‘dramatically’ cut plans to build coal plants since 2015 | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @globalenergymon.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
April 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
NEW – Analysis: Nearly 60 countries have ‘dramatically’ cut plans to build coal plants since 2015 | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @globalenergymon.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
A new study led by @salganik.bsky.social in The Cryosphere shows how the density evolution of #Arctic sea ice may make its melt nearly invisible from space. Read more: doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1259-2025
March 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM
A new study led by @salganik.bsky.social in The Cryosphere shows how the density evolution of #Arctic sea ice may make its melt nearly invisible from space. Read more: doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1259-2025
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Fantastic resource by @carbonbrief.org giving a clear overview of the ins and outs of China's climate and energy goals.
Even for those who don't follow China closely (you should), having a comparison will be useful for your work in Europe or elsewhere.
interactive.carbonbrief.org/glossary/chi...
Even for those who don't follow China closely (you should), having a comparison will be useful for your work in Europe or elsewhere.
interactive.carbonbrief.org/glossary/chi...
Glossary: Decoding how China talks about energy and climate change
Glossary: Decoding how China talks about energy and climate change
interactive.carbonbrief.org
March 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Fantastic resource by @carbonbrief.org giving a clear overview of the ins and outs of China's climate and energy goals.
Even for those who don't follow China closely (you should), having a comparison will be useful for your work in Europe or elsewhere.
interactive.carbonbrief.org/glossary/chi...
Even for those who don't follow China closely (you should), having a comparison will be useful for your work in Europe or elsewhere.
interactive.carbonbrief.org/glossary/chi...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
The UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget level should be set at 535 MtCO2e, an 87% reduction against 1990 levels.
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
End the fossil fuel age for a secure and prosperous future. - Climate Change Committee
Today the country’s climate advisors, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), present a new pathway to a decarbonised UK.…
www.theccc.org.uk
February 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget level should be set at 535 MtCO2e, an 87% reduction against 1990 levels.
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
“The incentive, if you will, to just drill, baby, drill . . . I just don’t believe that companies are going to do that. Wall Street will dictate here — and you know what? They don’t have a political agenda. They have a financial agenda .” on.ft.com/4jr2dl3
Wall Street will stymie Donald Trump’s US oil surge plan, say shale bosses
Output set to rise more slowly under new president than during Joe Biden’s term
on.ft.com
January 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
“The incentive, if you will, to just drill, baby, drill . . . I just don’t believe that companies are going to do that. Wall Street will dictate here — and you know what? They don’t have a political agenda. They have a financial agenda .” on.ft.com/4jr2dl3
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
Released today: the Africa Solar Industry Association's annual report is always great. My favorite table: There are already 8 sub-Saharan nations with at least 10% solar share power generation
Report p 37 of 213
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/...
Report p 37 of 213
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/...
January 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Released today: the Africa Solar Industry Association's annual report is always great. My favorite table: There are already 8 sub-Saharan nations with at least 10% solar share power generation
Report p 37 of 213
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/...
Report p 37 of 213
www.afsiasolar.com/data-center/...
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
New official data from India show the country installed the largest amount ever of new electricity generation capacity in calendar year 2024.
▸24.5 GW of solar was added.
1/5
▸24.5 GW of solar was added.
1/5
January 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
New official data from India show the country installed the largest amount ever of new electricity generation capacity in calendar year 2024.
▸24.5 GW of solar was added.
1/5
▸24.5 GW of solar was added.
1/5
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
"Why are electricity prices so high if renewables are so cheap?" I have been asked.
The main reason: expensive fossil gas still sets the price 63% of the time in wholesale electricity markets in EU27 & >90% in some countries.
The graphic is from Draghi Report.
The main reason: expensive fossil gas still sets the price 63% of the time in wholesale electricity markets in EU27 & >90% in some countries.
The graphic is from Draghi Report.
January 15, 2025 at 9:26 AM
"Why are electricity prices so high if renewables are so cheap?" I have been asked.
The main reason: expensive fossil gas still sets the price 63% of the time in wholesale electricity markets in EU27 & >90% in some countries.
The graphic is from Draghi Report.
The main reason: expensive fossil gas still sets the price 63% of the time in wholesale electricity markets in EU27 & >90% in some countries.
The graphic is from Draghi Report.
Reposted by Steve Nicholls
"There are basically two ways that we can go on climate change. Either we will allow the rich to save themselves and abandon everyone else, or we will make rules to ensure that everyone receives fair consideration as disasters mount."
I know which bet my money is on ...
I know which bet my money is on ...
Lifeboat Capitalism
Some burn, some drown, and some make money either way.
www.hamiltonnolan.com
January 8, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"There are basically two ways that we can go on climate change. Either we will allow the rich to save themselves and abandon everyone else, or we will make rules to ensure that everyone receives fair consideration as disasters mount."
I know which bet my money is on ...
I know which bet my money is on ...