Energy Efficiency

China: Ningxia IMT Department Launches 2026 Industrial Energy‑Saving and Carbon‑Reduction Diagnostic Services

In May 2026, Ningxia’s Industry and Information Technology Department launched a 2026 programme to provide free industrial energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction diagnostic services for key energy‑intensive enterprises under a national MIIT initiative. Manufacturers in sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals and glass should engage with local industry bureaus to secure inclusion in the diagnostic plans, prepare data for on‑site audits and carbon accounting, and use the resulting recommendations to prioritise retrofit investments and future decarbonisation projects.

18 May 2026, 17:47tanjiaoyi.comChina

Illinois Senate Extends Deadline For Hyperscale Data Centers Bill SB4016

Illinois’s hyperscale data centre bill SB4016 remains active, with the Senate extending its committee and third‑reading deadline to 22 May 2026 while wide‑ranging water, energy and permitting rules for large data centres and a 1 July 2027 solar‑permitting deadline for local governments stay on the table. Operators planning hyperscale data centres in Illinois, utilities and affected municipalities should treat this as a live measure and begin assessing potential capital, water‑supply and reporting impacts if the bill advances.

18 May 2026, 17:34ilga.govUnited States

Netherlands Omgevingsdienst NL Publishes Multi-Year Plan For Energy Savings Enforcement

Omgevingsdienst NL has set out a multi-year implementation plan to standardise and strengthen how Dutch environmental services enforce existing energy-saving obligations for companies and institutions. This signals more coordinated, data-driven and nationally consistent inspections rather than new rules, so organisations with Dutch sites should expect tighter oversight of their energy performance and be ready to demonstrate compliance.

18 May 2026, 13:27zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

California Assembly Advances AB 2612 on Plug-In Photovoltaic Building Energy Standards

California’s AB 2612 has advanced in the Assembly and would authorise future California Building Standards Code requirements so qualified plug-in photovoltaic systems can safely supply power from standard outlets in new residential and nonresidential buildings from the first post‑2031 code cycle. This would influence long-term electrical design choices and create a clearer market path for UL 3700-certified plug-in solar products targeting renters, multiunit housing and small businesses.

16 May 2026, 08:54leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

EU Council Working Document WK 4615 2026 – Belgium Comments on TEN‑E Regulation Recast (ST 5865/26 REV 1)

Belgium has submitted extensive comments on the EU Council’s second Presidency compromise text to recast the TEN‑E Regulation, which would replace the current 2022 framework for cross‑border energy infrastructure and amend key electricity and gas market laws. The paper signals Belgium’s priorities around technology‑neutral hydrogen rules, stronger environmental safeguards, more flexible national permitting governance and data‑driven multi‑scenario planning, which could shape final obligations for investment in EU electricity, hydrogen and CO₂ networks over the coming years.

15 May 2026, 16:18data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Michigan HB 5711 to Repeal Clean Energy Standards Passes House and Moves to Senate Committee

In May 2026 the Michigan Legislature advanced HB 5711, a bill to repeal the state’s statutory clean and renewable energy standards under the 2008 Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. If enacted, this would roll back utility-level renewable and efficiency obligations in Michigan, potentially reshaping decarbonisation plans and energy-sourcing strategies for large energy users in the state.

15 May 2026, 15:09legislature.mi.govUnited States

Vermont Senate Finance Committee Backs H.727 Sustainable Data Centers Bill With PFAS Wastewater Controls

Vermont’s Sustainable Data Centers Act (H.727), which includes stringent PFAS-related water and wastewater controls for large data centres, has advanced in the Senate following a favourable report from the Finance Committee on 14 May 2026. If enacted, large data centre projects in Vermont would need to plan for closed-loop cooling, expanded water and PFAS permitting and monitoring, and long-term grid contracts that protect other ratepayers, materially affecting site selection, infrastructure design, and operating strategies.

15 May 2026, 13:30legislature.vermont.govUnited States

Pennsylvania HB2515 Proposes Transparency Requirements for Large Commercial Data Centers

In May 2026, Pennsylvania introduced HB 2515, the Commercial Data Center Transparency Act, to require large data centers to disclose water use, energy demand and related impacts as part of key state permitting processes. If enacted, the bill would create new reporting, public transparency and penalty risks for operators and utilities, influencing siting decisions, infrastructure cost allocation and community engagement around data center projects in the state.

15 May 2026, 09:36palegis.usUnited States

Germany: Cabinet Approves Draft Building Modernisation Act

The German Cabinet has approved a draft Building Modernisation Act that would replace the existing Building Energy Act and amend the Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act, moving from a rigid 65% renewables rule towards a more technology-neutral framework with continued heat-pump support and future green-fuel quotas. If adopted, this package will reset planning assumptions for heating system choices, fuel supply and building retrofit strategies in Germany’s residential and non-residential stock over the rest of the decade, while serving as the main vehicle for implementing the new EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

14 May 2026, 19:18bundesregierung.deGermany

China Issues Gold Industry Wastewater Standard YS/T 3050-2026 and Adds Related Transport Energy and Wastewater Standards

China has issued a new national gold industry standard (YS/T 3050-2026) on integrated recovery and recycling of gold-processing wastewater, alongside additional 2026 transport-sector standards on sewage reuse, anticorrosion coatings and energy-efficient power systems. These developments tighten expectations on wastewater treatment, corrosion protection and energy efficiency in mining and transport infrastructure, requiring operators to review projects and investments ahead of the November 2026 implementation date for the gold wastewater standard.

14 May 2026, 19:02hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

Australia Extends NatHERS Support for Existing Homes Assessors and Confirms NCC 2025 Release

Australia’s NatHERS Administrator is extending accreditation fee subsidies and free magicplan access for existing homes assessors to 30 June 2027, while confirming the 1 May 2026 release of NCC 2025 and a mid‑2026 Stage 2 rollout for existing homes ratings. For building and energy teams this means limited new residential energy efficiency obligations under NCC 2025, continued support to build the assessor workforce, and clear timelines to prepare software, training and governance for future disclosure or retrofit programmes.

14 May 2026, 10:21abcb.gov.auAustralia

EU Commission Publishes ESPR Preparatory Study on Commercial and Industrial Laundry Appliances

In May 2026 the European Commission’s DG Environment published a major preparatory study assessing commercial and industrial laundry appliances under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation framework. The report is non-binding but will shape future ESPR ecodesign and Digital Product Passport expectations around energy and water efficiency, environmental performance and data transparency for professional laundry equipment.

14 May 2026, 10:13op.europa.euEuropean Union

Methodological Note on Common Indicators, Monitoring and Reporting Requirements for the Social Climate Fund

In May 2026 the European Commission issued detailed methodological guidance (SWD(2026) 130 final) on how Member States must use common indicators and biennial reporting to monitor implementation of the EU Social Climate Fund. This framework, with the first SCF progress reports due by 15 March 2027, will shape how national authorities design targets, build data systems and evidence social and climate outcomes for vulnerable households, transport users and micro‑enterprises across the energy transition.

14 May 2026, 09:32data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Dutch Government Briefs Parliament on EU AccelerateEU – Energy Union Communication

In May 2026 the Dutch government sent Parliament an official letter setting out its broadly supportive position on the European Commission’s AccelerateEU – Energy Union communication and highlighting planned EU measures on energy prices, clean energy investment and carbon markets. These signals foreshadow changes to EU energy taxation, ETS-based investment support and state aid rules that could materially affect energy costs, decarbonisation incentives and investment planning for energy-intensive industry across the EU.

13 May 2026, 19:24zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Greece Signs Joint Ministerial Decision Establishing On‑Bill Financing Scheme

Greek authorities have signed a joint ministerial decision launching an on-bill financing scheme that will fund energy efficiency upgrades for homes and small businesses, with repayments collected through electricity bills. This programme should accelerate building renovations and help deliver National Energy and Climate Plan targets in Greece, signalling growing policy support for efficient equipment and retrofit services.

13 May 2026, 19:10ypen.gov.grGreece

New Zealand Launches Sector Review to Speed Up Residential Solar Panel Installations

In May 2026 New Zealand’s Minister for Regulation launched a sector review to streamline rules for installing residential and small-scale solar systems, aiming to cut approval times and layers of sign-off. The review signals future reforms to reduce red tape and installation costs, potentially accelerating household solar adoption and shaping how energy and building regulators design low-risk permitting schemes.

13 May 2026, 19:04beehive.govt.nzNew Zealand

Netherlands Amends Omgevingsregeling to Implement EPBD IV Energy Label and Building Automation Rules

From late May 2026 the Netherlands will amend the Omgevingsregeling to implement the first tranche of EPBD IV, introducing a new A0 “zero‑emission” energy label class, tightening the information and recommendations required on energy labels, and setting minimum performance standards for building automation and control systems in larger non‑residential buildings. These changes will raise expectations on new buildings and major non‑residential stock for demonstrable energy performance, smart metering and control capability, and will drive investment in high‑efficiency, low‑carbon building design and data‑driven operations ahead of more stringent EU building‑performance requirements towards 2030–2050.

13 May 2026, 12:36zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Amends Omgevingsregeling To Implement EPBD IV Building Energy Performance Standards

The Netherlands has adopted a ministerial regulation amending the Omgevingsregeling, effective 29 May 2026, to reference new versions of NTA 8800 and related BRL standards that implement the latest EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and strengthen energy-label quality assurance. This will require building owners, energy assessors and software providers to align designs, labelling practices and quality systems with the updated methodology, reinforcing the role of building energy performance in national and EU climate and sustainability strategies.

13 May 2026, 12:36zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

New York Assembly Bill A11319 Proposes Energy-Efficient Window and HVAC Rules for Multiple Dwellings

In May 2026 New York’s Assembly introduced Bill A11319 to amend the Multiple Dwelling Law so energy-efficient replacement windows and window-mounted HVAC units can slightly reduce minimum window area and light/ventilation requirements in multiple dwellings. If enacted, this would give building owners, designers, and window/HVAC suppliers more flexibility to upgrade building envelopes and equipment in dense urban housing while operating within clearly defined caps on reduced daylight and ventilation.

13 May 2026, 09:38assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Colorado Enacts HB26-1007 to Expand Customer Use of Portable Solar and Distributed Energy Resources

In May 2026 Colorado enacted HB26-1007 to expand customer access to small-scale solar and other distributed energy resources by regulating portable plug-in solar devices and directing utilities to support meter collar adapters and streamlined interconnection. This will lower barriers and costs for residential and small commercial DER installations in Colorado while imposing new UL certification, interconnection-rule, and property covenant obligations on DER equipment makers, electric utilities, landlords, and homeowners’ associations ahead of late-2026 and 2027 implementation.

12 May 2026, 18:26leg.colorado.govUnited States