AGP Executive Report

Solar & Grid Shift: Ember reports May 2026 was the first month on record when U.S. solar beat coal in the power mix (12.8% vs 12.2%), with solar output up 17% year-on-year. Corporate Clean Power: Meta and CleanMax signed an India deal for ~900 MW of new solar and wind, with Meta buying 100% of the environmental attributes to cut emissions. Clean Fuel Scaling: Axens and Dragonfly will license Vegan HEFA tech to build modular sustainable aviation fuel plants across Africa and the Caribbean using waste feedstocks. Energy Security & Reliability: Iraq Mall faces possible closure within 48 hours due to transformer delays and chronic electricity bottlenecks, forcing costly diesel generator use. Policy Push for Renewables: The IEA and Climate High-Level Champions call for stronger government action to speed clean tech deployment, warning ambition still isn’t translating into delivery. Regional Renewables Finance: EU launched T-MED to mobilize up to €25bn by 2035 for Mediterranean renewables, clean tech and grid upgrades. Local Solar in Practice: Qatar’s Awqaf and Kahramaa trained mosque leaders on installing solar systems under the BeSolar initiative. Hydropower & Permitting Tensions: In the Philippines, Pakil’s mayor says a cease-and-desist order over the Ahunan pumped-storage project can’t be enforced by the LGU, highlighting governance friction around major energy projects.

Renewables Policy Push (Bangladesh): Bangladesh’s budget targets 20% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030, with a zero tax rate on solar until 2035 and a 5% rebate on solar bill payments, aiming to cut import dependence and boost energy security. Grid & Storage (Australia): Perth and the South West will add 18 community batteries by mid-2027 to store excess rooftop solar and stabilize supply during cloudy periods. Clean Energy Finance (EU): The EU launched T-MED, pledging up to €25bn by 2035 to scale Mediterranean renewables, clean tech, hydrogen and grid upgrades. Solar Milestone (Dominican Republic): Solar capacity surged 806.6% since 2020, pushing renewables beyond 2,000 MW as the country expands clean generation. Energy Security Debate (UK): A former UK defence minister argues energy policy should be treated as security, not environment, urging “all options” including North Sea drilling and renewables. Biofuels (India): India’s ethanol program reached nationwide E20, with next steps focused on efficiency, second-generation ethanol and infrastructure. Data Centers & Power (US): Nashville residents packed a planning meeting to oppose data centers over land and community impacts, as cooling and power demands keep rising.

Renewables Policy: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green issued an executive order preserving 2026 solar tax credits after Act 24 changes, aiming to protect ongoing rooftop solar investments—especially on Oahu. Grid Resilience: Malaysia’s Sabah launched the Sabah Southern MADANI Link, a transmission upgrade pitched as key to more stable, higher-quality power for manufacturing, data centres, tourism and agriculture. Solar for Farmers: India approved INR 531 crore for 553 Rajasthan solar providers under PM-KUSUM, backing nearly 598 MW of decentralised solar to improve farm power reliability. Finance for Power: Fitch upgraded Eskom’s credit rating, citing stronger state support and South Africa’s sovereign boost—expected to improve funding access for electricity infrastructure. Clean Energy & Industry: BPCL outlined a transition roadmap spanning renewables, hydrogen, biofuels and EV mobility while targeting net-zero Scope 1 and 2 by 2040 and 10 GW renewables by 2035. Nature & Permits: Belgium’s nature law reform adds “silence is consent” with hard six-month limits for certain renewable and habitat-related permits. Climate Risk: Sri Lanka’s meteorology department warned El Niño could weaken the southwest monsoon, raising drought and heat risks while increasing later-year flood risk.

COP31 Pressure on Fossil Fuels: Nearly 100 campaign groups urged COP31 co-hosts Turkey and Australia to “lead by example” and cut coal, oil and gas reliance at home, arguing war-driven energy shocks only underline the need for faster fossil-fuel phase-down. Grid Reliability in Focus: New York’s grid operator warned the system is nearing capacity and faces a tight path to meet rising electrification needs, while Moldova marked a milestone by activating balancing services from PV-plus-storage hybrid plants—showing renewables can help stabilize the grid. Corporate Clean Power Deals: Meta signed a 298MW solar PPA with RWE in Texas, aiming to match operations with 100% clean energy, as more data-center-linked demand reshapes power planning. Renewables Project Setback: A $2.4B Pineville green methanol plan was shelved, citing weak low-carbon fuel market adoption and uncertainty around carbon capture support. Policy and Politics: New York fracking ban debate resurfaced as a gubernatorial candidate argued for overturning it to lower bills, while Georgia’s GOP runoff spotlights voter anger over electricity costs tied to data centers. Local Energy Innovation: Sweden showcased bidirectional EV charging that can power homes and ease peak demand.

Battery Storage Push: NTPC Green Energy has floated an EPC tender for a 50 MW/200 MWh BESS at its Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh solar site, with bids due July 10 and a 25-year design life—another step toward firming renewables. Consumer Power Contracts: UPERC approved a 25-year PPA for a 5 MW solar project in Mau district at Rs 2.24/unit, after repeated tender rounds struggled to attract bidders. Demand for “Always-On” Clean Power: Indian renewable buyers are shifting from just buying capacity to demanding reliable, hourly-matched green power, with storage and hybrid solutions highlighted as key. Policy and Permitting Friction: Renewable groups sued the U.S. Pentagon over stalled national security reviews for new wind farms, warning of $47B in investment risk. Energy Resilience in Cambodia: The energy minister says renewables are helping Cambodia blunt oil-price shocks, while banks are set to play a bigger role in financing clean projects with ADB support. SAF Pressure: IATA says SAF output is still too low—about 0.8% of jet fuel—making 2050 net-zero targets harder to reach. Ukraine Grid Strain: Russian strikes caused new outages across five regions, with solar output reduced by weather and consumption up.

Nuclear Race: China is on track to overtake the U.S. as the world’s top nuclear power builder within five years, fueled by AI-driven electricity demand and faster, cheaper reactor construction. Grid & Storage Buildout: Cypress Creek secured $3.5B for a major Arkansas solar-plus-battery project, while EDP Renewables and SRP marked completion of a large Arizona battery system—both aimed at keeping power reliable as demand spikes. Offshore Wind Push: France opened tenders for 10 GW of offshore wind, and Siemens Gamesa warned Europe may cut capacity if offshore expansion stalls. Policy & Permitting Pressure: A Michigan judge recommended rejecting Consumers Energy’s plan to sell hydro dams, raising safety and customer-impact concerns. Regional Energy Security: Türkiye’s FM said gas transmission expansion to Bulgaria is strategically vital, and Armenia’s regulator warned higher Russian gas prices could pressure electricity tariffs. Distributed Solar Rules: Karnataka proposed new distributed solar and storage regulations, including mandatory storage for larger systems and tighter net metering limits. Corporate Clean Power Deals: RWE and Meta signed a long-term PPA for a Texas solar project, extending Meta’s push for 100% clean energy.

Grid & consumer pressure: Xcel’s proposed Colorado residential rate hike (about +5.86% after a settlement) is drawing pushback from consumer and environmental groups, with regulators weighing how much of utility spending should be borne by customers. Renewables buildout: Juniper Green Energy commissioned 305 MWp in Gujarat (183 MWp solar, 122 MW wind) under PPAs with GUVNL, while India’s floating solar push gained momentum as the NISE-backed report put potential at 102 GWp+ and set up a dedicated scheme. Storage & reliability: YESS Power commissioned the Balkans’ first large-scale solar battery storage system in North Macedonia, aiming to better integrate renewables into the grid. Corporate clean power deals: Simplex Castings signed a 25-year captive solar PPA in Chhattisgarh (5.5 MWp) to cut annual power costs by ~INR 2.16 crore, and UltraTech Cement/India Cements agreed to procure 29.7 MW captive wind in Tamil Nadu. Energy security under stress: With LNG disruptions tied to the Iran war, Asia may shift more generation from gas to coal, raising incremental coal demand in 2026. Policy & permitting: Nepal’s hydropower licensing review committee recommended broad reforms, including possible cancellation steps for stalled projects. Bioenergy debate: A new analysis of climate plans says nearly half of countries mention biomass/bioenergy (and some BECCS), while warning that burning wood can harm nature and health.

Solar & Storage Momentum: Gamuda Renewables is buying into a 450MW solar-plus-storage project in Victoria, while New Zealand’s Lodestone Energy is set to build a 31.5MWdc solar PV plant and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare switched on a 5.3MW rooftop array in Auckland. Local Cost-Cutting: Lower Hutt’s council plans solar at Te Ngaengae Pool to cut bills and emissions. Grid Resilience & New Capacity: Hawke’s Bay’s Lodestone-backed solar PV is moving toward operations, and Nepal’s Rahughat corridor added a 220kV switchyard to connect 127.8MW. Permitting & Power Demand Backlash: US states and cities are tightening rules as data centers expand, with Colorado moving to regulate coal-plant closures and multiple jurisdictions debating data center impacts. Climate Pressure: A study warns the 1.5C warming threshold could be breached in about four years. Waste-to-Energy Push: Ghana’s Savelugu is partnering with an Italian firm for a waste treatment plant aimed at gas and electricity. Blue Economy Reality Check: Namibia protected just 1.69% of marine territory, far short of 30% by 2030.

Grid-scale storage science: Indian and US researchers report a high-entropy cathode for sodium-ion batteries that keeps a stable structure and retains ~84% capacity after 250 fast cycles—aimed at cheaper, durable renewable energy storage. UK solar contracting: Gülermak Renewables secured a 10-year CfD-backed PPA for a 49.5MW solar project in Essex, with ElectroRoute handling trading and optimisation. Solar tax pressure in Pakistan: The Pakistan Solar Association launches a “Stop the Sun Tax” campaign ahead of the 2026/27 budget, warning higher GST and duties could slow PV and battery deployment. Solar-plus-storage in India: Onward Solar Power signed a BESPA with GRIDCO for 45MW/180MWh standalone BESS projects in Odisha after winning capacity in SECI auctions. Battery innovation funding (UK): EQONIC was selected for the UK’s £452m Battery Innovation Programme to accelerate long-duration, safer storage via digital-twin development. Energy infrastructure finance (Türkiye): Türkiye secured €200m from the EIB to back renewable energy, efficiency and sustainable manufacturing via export and investment financing. Offshore wind gets AI push: Industry coverage highlights how AI and digital twins are moving offshore wind operations toward earlier fault prediction and lower maintenance costs. Data centers and power costs (US): Maryland candidates back tighter data center rules, citing a 44% residential rate rise since 2020 and blaming data center growth for higher bills. Renewables and “night power” (Japan): Japan’s osmotic power plant uses seawater and sewage to generate electricity 24/7 without fuel, pointing to new clean baseload options.

Rooftop Solar Push (India): MAHAPREIT issued bids for 100 MW of behind-the-meter rooftop solar in Maharashtra under the RESCO model, with options that pair panels with BESS for 25-year service contracts. Grid & Reliability (U.S.): The EIA projects U.S. electricity demand will keep climbing in 2026-27 as AI-driven data centers and electrification grow, while renewables rise and coal’s share slips. Policy Shock (U.S. tax credits): A federal court vacated IRS Notice 2025-42, restoring a 5% safe harbor for wind and most solar—though an appeal could reintroduce uncertainty. Offshore Wind Risk (Norway): Norway’s parliament ordered a review of subsidies for its first floating wind project, raising fears of delays and wider investor hesitation. Electrification at COP31 (Turkey): COP31 hosts in Bonn backed a voluntary goal to lift electricity’s share of global energy demand to 35% by 2035, aiming to cut fossil fuel exposure to price spikes. South Africa Transition (Eskom): Eskom launched “Eskom Green,” a renewables business meant to speed up utility-scale projects for large power users. Community Planning (Hawaii): West Maui residents will meet June 12 to shape the path to 100% renewable energy by 2045. Hydropower Resilience (U.S.): Duke’s Walters hydro plant marked its 100th year, highlighting how it withstood Hurricane Helene with planned gate operations.

Policy & Grid Reliability: Italy’s renewables push got a major boost as the European Commission approved a €23bn state-aid scheme using two-way contracts for difference to back new onshore wind, solar, hydropower and sewage-gas capacity. Storage & System Flexibility: France’s energy regulator picked five Corsica storage projects totaling ~48 MW (pumped hydro plus batteries) to cut solar curtailment and improve renewable integration. India Solar Rules: India’s MNRE eased ALMM compliance for residential rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar’s “Give It Up” net-metering option, exempting cell requirements until March 31, 2027. India Renewables Procurement: SECI floated a tender for 4-hour assured peak supply of 4,800 MWh from ISTS-connected renewables paired with energy storage. Solar on Defence Land: India’s MoD approved a 250 MW solar-with-BESS project on 850 acres in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. Hydrogen Feasibility: H2DO launched a 30–50 MW offshore green hydrogen concept study in the Dutch North Sea to pair offshore wind with sea-based electrolysis. Project Moves Forward: Romania’s largest operational solar park (169 MW Iepurești) entered the operational phase, with plans to expand and integrate large-scale storage. Energy Security in Practice: Ukraine reported power cuts across multiple regions from drone strikes and bad weather, while noting solar output helped reduce grid demand.

U.S. Solar/Wind Legal Win: A federal judge struck down IRS guidance that tightened when wind and solar projects qualify for expiring tax credits, a move energy groups say would have raised costs and delayed clean buildout. New Zealand Energy Security Push: The government backed away from funding an LNG import terminal via a power-bill levy, while moving ahead with the terminal and consulting on stricter “dry year” backup rules—prompting renewed criticism from groups warning it could lock in expensive, polluting fuel. Coal Backslide in the U.S.: The Trump administration directed about $500M to coal-fired power, including support for new plants and upgrades, while environmental advocates called it a waste that undermines renewables. Grid & Storage Policy Watch: Germany’s regulator signaled protection for existing battery energy storage projects after earlier concerns about higher network tariffs. Clean Power Procurement: Maharashtra invited bids for 100 MW of behind-the-meter rooftop solar (with optional batteries) under a RESCO model, aiming for 25-year operations. Local Impacts: Saskatchewan health groups urged the province to drop plans extending coal generation to 2050, citing major public health costs. Solar Deal, No Upfront Cost: A California medical plaza HOA secured a 300 kW solar + roof upgrade via a fully financed PPA, targeting major load offset and emissions cuts.

Electricity Demand Shift: The IEA says global power demand will grow faster than the economy through 2030, with electricity-related spending set to keep climbing. Grid & Storage Reality Check: China’s PV industry is pivoting hard toward energy storage as module losses deepen, while California’s new longer-duration battery project points to the push for 24/7 clean power. Renewables vs. Policy Friction: Delaware lawmakers move to make data centers cut off first in blackouts unless they bring their own power, and ERCOT warns hyperscale loads may not ride through faults. Transition Minerals Scrutiny: China’s overseas mining push and its Green Mineral Initiative raise the question of whether rules abroad can meet global climate and ESG goals. Africa Power Moves: Lesotho signs a $6.2bn hydropower-and-AI data center deal aimed at turning it into a power exporter; Liberia secures $125m for solar and grid upgrades; Uganda’s solar growth is framed as resilience-building, not just new capacity. Local Solar Politics: Lagos residents react to a solar panel tax/approval dispute, while Wales launches a home-energy pilot pairing advice with vetted installers. Nuclear Back in the Mix: Switzerland polling shows rising support for keeping and expanding nuclear as supply worries grow.

Cross-Border Power Push: The Asian Development Bank is preparing a $10m technical grant to kick-start its Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, aiming to expand electricity trade and speed up renewable integration across Asia-Pacific. Policy Finance for Clean Power: The AIIB is lining up a $200m co-financing loan with the World Bank for a $1bn Philippines energy transition package focused on clean energy adoption and electricity market reforms. Renewables Build-Out in Oman: Nama Power and Water Procurement has opened bids for project management and supervision for the 300MW Marsa Solar IPP, with consultancy work covering construction through handover. Space Solar Ambition: China’s “Zhuri” project says it has completed ground tests for wireless power transfer, targeting kilowatt-level energy delivery to multiple moving targets. Grid Strain and the SAF Reality Check: IATA warns sustainable aviation fuel output is still tiny—about 0.8% of jet fuel in 2026—making net-zero aviation timelines harder. Data Centers vs. Decarbonization: A new debate is intensifying as data centers’ power demand grows; critics say “green” claims are undermined by continued gas generation plans. Local Solar Momentum: South Korea’s “Solar Income Village” model is expanding community-owned solar to boost rural incomes alongside carbon goals. Fiscal Rules Matter: Bangladesh’s CPD urges ending “fiscal discrimination” that taxes renewables far more heavily than fossil fuels, arguing it’s slowing the clean transition.

Renewables Policy: Bangladesh’s CPD says the tax and tariff system still discriminates against solar, wind and batteries, with LNG facing far lower total tax incidence than lithium-ion and EVs—urging fiscal overhaul to unblock clean energy growth. Grid & Storage Buildout: A new report flags transmission as the bottleneck for renewables, citing a pipeline of battery storage plus offshore and solar/wind projects that will need major network expansion to avoid delays. Clean Power Deals: Oman is tendering supervisory consultancy for a 300MW Marsa Solar IPP, while the Philippines’ Acwa Power and Emerging Power ink a pact to pursue up to 5,000MW of renewables and gas-fired capacity, targeting the Green Energy Auction Program. Regional Power Links: Afghanistan’s CASA-1000 transmission line is progressing across multiple provinces, aiming to move 1,300MW of Central Asian hydropower to South Asia. Energy Transition Finance: IRENA and UAE export credit insurer ECI are partnering to de-risk renewable projects via the ETAF platform. Energy Security & Demand: UK grid operator Neso warns World Cup viewing could spike electricity demand by up to 800MW, with “cleanest electricity” expected to cover the surge. Aviation Fuel Reality Check: IATA estimates SAF output will hit only 0.8% of aviation fuel in 2026, calling current incentives “ineffectively sequenced.” Project Pipeline in India: Odisha cleared Rs 3,793 crore in investment proposals, including renewable energy and battery storage projects, targeting 19,000+ jobs.

Renewables Policy Push (US): U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers are ramping up to meet EPA Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026–2027 after a big jump in mandated blending volumes, with plants expected to run near full capacity to hit targets. Grid & Storage Buildout (Oman): Oman is accelerating EV charging and battery-linked investments as part of its sustainability and diversification drive, aiming to make charging available at hotels and key tourism sites. Solar on the Ground (Philippines): Police Regional Office 8 in Palo, Leyte inaugurated a 48-kW rooftop solar PV system as the first phase of a larger multi-phase project to cut electricity costs and emissions. Clean Energy Finance (Bangladesh): Civil groups and energy experts are urging a symbolic 1% tax on renewable equipment and a Tk 25,000 crore revolving green finance facility to speed clean energy deployment. Solar Project Politics (Namibia): Namibia’s presidency rejected claims tying President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to a proposed Sinomine-Massaus solar project, saying allegations lack support. Hydropower Momentum (India): In Arunachal Pradesh, 110 households signed an MoU backing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project pre-feasibility work, framing it as both power and water-safety planning. Solar Expansion (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s Centragrid Solar Plant is now feeding 25 MW into the grid after phased upgrades, supporting reliability in multiple load centres. Space Power Idea (UK/US): Space Solar and Lonestar plan to host orbital data storage modules on a demonstrator spacecraft, pairing in-space assembly with power-harvesting ambitions. Data Center Backlash (US): Residents in Gilroy, California are pushing for more say over a major Amazon data center, citing local water and electricity impacts.