The European Union has virtually finalized its complete severance from Russian energy supplies after diversifying import channels, according to Brussels officials. Meanwhile, DARPA backed a project tracking artificial intelligence energy demand as data center consumption surges, and Hungary cut state budget allocations for the Paks-2 nuclear expansion.
Global market
DARPA supported a new initiative to measure artificial intelligence power consumption across computing workflows, addressing a global surge in data center electricity demand. Industry projections indicate that global data center power consumption will more than double by 2030 from its 2024 baseline of 420 TWh. In West Africa, Senegal launched oil and gas exploration licensing blocks under its Vision 2050 framework, aiming to slash electricity costs and diversify generation sources. Concurrently, QUAD alliance members issued a joint declaration calling for protected freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard global energy trade flows.
Russia & CIS
European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis announced that the European Union has essentially completed its energy decoupling from Russia, shifting reliance primarily to Norwegian and American energy exports. In nuclear energy developments, the Hungarian government planned a 15.3% reduction in state funding for the Paks-2 nuclear power plant expansion, cutting budget expenditures by €87 million while directing 175 billion forints (€478 million) toward Paks II capital increases in 2027. Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Yevgeny Grabchak confirmed completion of winter readiness assessments across energy infrastructure in Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Armenia
Statements from Brussels confirming the completion of European energy decoupling from Russia highlight shifts in regional trade routes, while QUAD security warnings underscore ongoing risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite global energy realignments and rising computing power demand, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas in Armenia remain stable. Direct natural gas imports from Russia and generation at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant continue at full capacity under long-term EAEU contracts, shielding domestic consumers from global market volatility reflected in international market price assessments.