ON
← Back to feed
War in the Middle East is accelerating the global energy transition
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/30/2026

War in the Middle East is accelerating the global energy transition

The article discusses how the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has accelerated the global energy transition by highlighting increased investment in renewable energy sources across various regions. Due to the closure of the critical Hormuz Strait, which disrupted a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, governments in South Korea, Thailand, and the European Union have pledged greater funding for renewable energy projects. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that renewable energy production is growing rapidly worldwide, with renewables expected to become the main electricity source for the first time this year. Solar installations have gained popularity due to their affordability and speed of installation, particularly in countries like the Philippines and Australia where high energy costs drive adoption. However, coal usage remains significant, especially in Asia, where energy shortages have led to increased reliance on fossil fuels despite the growth in renewables. While renewable energy production is projected to rise by 8.5% globally, coal-based power generation is still expected to increase slightly. The IEA also warns that greenhouse gas emissions, a

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has accelerated the global shift toward renewable energy, according to reports from European and Asian governments. Over the past six months, as tensions have escalated in the Middle East, nations across the continent have intensified efforts to expand their capacity for producing energy from renewable sources. This move aims to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and marks a new impetus for the global energy transition. Governments in South Korea, Thailand, and the European Union have pledged increased funding for renewable energy projects. The closure of the key Strait of Hormuz has disrupted approximately a fifth of global oil shipments and significantly reduced liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows. As a result, many countries are seeking alternative energy solutions to ensure stability and security in their energy supply chains. The impact of this conflict on the global energy landscape is being measured through several indicators. According to a recent analysis by Reuters, the production of electricity from renewable sources has surged globally. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that renewables will become the primary source of electricity generation for the first time this year. This shift is driven by both necessity and opportunity, as traditional energy sources face increasing volatility and geopolitical risks. From the outset of the conflict, rooftop solar systems have gained popularity due to their ease and affordability of installation. In the Philippines, high electricity prices caused by expensive imports have encouraged households and businesses to switch to solar power. Programs offering subsidies for batteries have further boosted the adoption of rooftop solar installations in Australia. Similarly, demand for solar panels has risen in Europe, although this growth has been accompanied by an increase in coal usage. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a reliance on coal-fired power plants, despite the rapid growth of renewable energy production. The IEA predicts that renewable energy output will grow by 8.5% this year, far surpassing the 1.4% increase in coal-based generation. However, the agency also warns that greenhouse gas emissions from energy-related activities are expected to rise by 1.1%, reaching a record level of 14.2 billion tons. For 2027, the IEA anticipates a decline in coal-generated electricity by 0.7%, while gas-fired power plants are projected to see a 1.5% increase compared to current levels. The effects of the crisis have been most pronounced in Asia, particularly among economies heavily reliant on oil and gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz. China has strongly focused on solar energy, with production growing more than three times faster than coal generation during the period between March and July. Meanwhile, India, Vietnam, and South Korea have taken different paths, increasing their reliance on coal. Some European countries have also noted higher coal consumption, though the IEA expects continued long-term declines in coal use within the EU. Vietnamese authorities have announced plans to construct additional coal-fired power plants to secure energy supplies, despite earlier commitments made at the 2021 UN Climate Summit to avoid building new coal plants after 2030. These developments highlight the complex interplay between energy security and climate goals in regions affected by the conflict. Global oil consumption, primarily used for transportation, has not collapsed despite the conflict. However, the situation has altered previous projections regarding future demand. Higher fuel prices, reduced air travel, lower energy consumption in China, and the faster adoption of electric vehicles have collectively contributed to a decrease in oil demand for transport. Goldman Sachs estimates that gasoline demand fell by around 20% during peak disruptions in April, while GL Consulting suggests a decline closer to 15%. Higher fuel costs have incentivized drivers to consider electric vehicles, with China, the world’s largest producer, reporting its first instance of electric vehicle exports exceeding $10 billion in value this year. Analysts at Bank of America note that electric models accounted for 63% of passenger car sales in the country in June, marking a notable increase in market share. These trends underscore the broader economic and environmental shifts underway as a result of the ongoing conflict.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 90Objective 758/29/2026
War in the Middle East is accelerating the global energy transition

The article discusses how the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has accelerated the global energy transition by prompting governments across Europe, Asia, and beyond to increase investments in renewable energy sources. The closure of the critical Hormuz Strait disrupted a significant portion of global oil and LNG supplies, pushing nations to seek alternatives. While renewable energy production has surged globally, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting it could become the main electricity source for the first time this year, the reliance on fossil fuels remains high due to intermittency issues. In some regions like the U.S., renewable energy production rose significantly, but coal and gas usage have also increased in certain areas. The IEA forecasts continued growth in both renewables and gas power generation, though emissions are expected to rise slightly. Asian economies heavily dependent on oil and gas through Hormuz have been most affected, with some countries shifting toward solar while others continue using coal.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the geopolitical impact on energy transitions, citing data from multiple regions and organizations such as the IEA. It does not overtly favor any particular political ideology or agenda, instead focusing on factual developments and projections. The framing

Why factuality (90): The article reports on the impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran on the global energy transition, citing sources like the International Energy Agency (IEA) and mentioning specific countries such as South Korea, Thailand, and the EU. It provides general trends in renewable energy growth and mentions

Why objectivity (75): The article presents both sides of the energy transition, growth in renewables versus increased coal usage due to supply disruptions, but does so with some emphasis on the positive trend. The tone leans slightly towards highlighting the acceleration of the energy transition, though it remains largel

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 658/30/2026
War has triggered an unexpected energy turnaround: Europe and Asia are accelerating the green transition

The article discusses how the war has accelerated the transition to green energy globally, particularly due to disruptions at the Hormuz Strait affecting oil and LNG supplies. It highlights increased renewable energy production worldwide, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting renewables will become the main electricity source for the first time this year. Solar installations have gained popularity in countries like the Philippines and Australia due to high energy costs, while Europe also sees rising demand for solar systems despite continued coal usage. The IEA forecasts a significant increase in renewable energy production (8.5%) compared to coal (1.4%), but expects greenhouse gas emissions to still rise by 1.1% to a record level. Meanwhile, some Asian nations like China are rapidly expanding solar capacity, while others such as India and South Korea are increasing coal use. The IEA also warns that coal power generation in the EU is expected to continue declining over the decade, though some European countries show increased coal consumption.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the global shift toward renewable energy, citing data from multiple regions and organizations like the IEA. While it acknowledges the challenges and continued reliance on fossil fuels, it does not take a clear ideological stance. The framing remains objective,

Why factuality (75): The article reports on the impact of the war on energy transitions, citing the closure of the Hormuz Strait as a key factor affecting oil and LNG supply. It references the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts regarding renewable energy becoming the main electricity source. The information ali

Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat supportive of the transition to clean energy, emphasizing growth in renewables while noting continued coal use. While not overtly biased, the emphasis on positive trends may subtly favor the narrative of progress toward sustainability.

Novi list logoNovi listIndependentCenterFactual 72Objective 638/29/2026
War in the Middle East is accelerating the global energy transition

The article discusses how the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has accelerated the global energy transition by highlighting increased investment in renewable energy sources across various regions. Due to the closure of the critical Hormuz Strait, which disrupted a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, governments in South Korea, Thailand, and the European Union have pledged greater funding for renewable energy projects. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that renewable energy production is growing rapidly worldwide, with renewables expected to become the main electricity source for the first time this year. Solar installations have gained popularity due to their affordability and speed of installation, particularly in countries like the Philippines and Australia where high energy costs drive adoption. However, coal usage remains significant, especially in Asia, where energy shortages have led to increased reliance on fossil fuels despite the growth in renewables. While renewable energy production is projected to rise by 8.5% globally, coal-based power generation is still expected to increase slightly. The IEA also warns that greenhouse gas emissions, a

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the impact of geopolitical tensions on the global energy transition, discussing both the acceleration of renewable energy investments and the continued reliance on fossil fuels. It cites multiple international organizations and governmental pledges without

Why factuality (72): This article mirrors the first in content, reporting on the role of the war in accelerating the energy transition. It also cites the IEA and mentions the closure of the Hormuz Strait. However, it cuts off mid-sentence, making full verification difficult. The information presented is consistent with

Why objectivity (63): The article maintains a similar tone to the first, focusing on the positive aspects of the energy transition. It does not present opposing viewpoints or contextualize the situation beyond the immediate effects of the conflict.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories