Energy Newsletter

European gas prices have risen from €30/MWh (Sept. 2025) to €81/MWh (Sept. 2026) – a doubling triggered by the Hormuz blockade and low storage levels. Germany is storing gas at only 50% capacity, while electricity prices for January 2027 have climbed above €180/MWh. This could lead to a new wave of inflation and an energy supply crisis, with direct impacts on household tariffs and industry.

At least two documented sabotage attacks on critical infrastructure (50Hertz Brandenburg, Amprion) resulted in outages of over 4,200 MW of RWE capacity and disruptions to the high-voltage network. TenneT CEO calls for a rethink of security policy; transmission system operators warn of growing risks to energy supply security. Attacks indicate deliberately orchestrated threats to grid stability.

Germany reaches 59.1% electricity share from renewable sources (H1 2026), while battery storage capacity was expanded by 888 MW – more than in all of 2025. However, extreme regional differences are evident: TenneT zone 93.9% vs. Amprion only 29.6% renewable share. Storage expansion is becoming a critical success factor for grid stability during periods of low wind and solar generation.

RWE increases its stake in transmission system operator Amprion to 58%, leading to market concentration and conflicts of interest between power generation and network infrastructure. In parallel, EON Edis blocks battery storage deployment in a solar hybrid project. The development raises questions about control of critical infrastructure and lobbying influence on the energy transition.

RWE stops hydrogen import project from Namibia (planned: 300,000 t green ammonia/year from 2027), contradicting Habeck's decentralized hydrogen strategy. Withdrawal signals economic non-viability and reveals limits of green hydrogen production for industrialization. Undermines ambitious German H₂ import targets.