powerplant
Mar 25, 2025
Power Technology
Focused Energy signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with RWE, the state of Hesse, and others to form a consortium to invest in fusion energy in Hesse with the goal of building a pilot plant at the Biblis site.
Biblis, Germany’s oldest nuclear plant, was shut down following Berlin’s decision to exit nuclear power.
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Focused Energy CEO Scott Mercer described the non-binding agreement as a step towards establishing a global supply chain for fusion technology, as reported by Reuters.
“The plant would be the beginning and the learning lesson towards building a supply chain for what would eventually be global deployment,” he stated.
Mercer highlighted the significance of interest from RWE, Germany’s coalition government and Hesse in making the laser-driven fusion project a reality.
“The seriousness of the federal government in Germany towards pursuing fusion as part of the energy mix is, frankly, two orders of magnitude higher than it has been in the US,” he noted.
Germany’s conservative government, which won the February 2025 election, announced plans to create a regulatory framework for fusion technology in Germany and Europe in November 2024.
Efforts to replicate fusion reactions have been ongoing for decades, using magnets or lasers to create a sustainable energy source free from greenhouse gases and long-lasting radioactive waste.
In 2022, the National Ignition Facility, a US laboratory, achieved a scientific gain in energy from fusion reactions.
Challenges for fusion include developing a supply chain for lasers, sustaining reactions and integrating energy into power grids.
The solid-state lasers planned for the pilot plant are 30 times more efficient than those used by the US lab.
The estimated cost of the plant is between €5bn and €7bn ($5.4bn to $7.6bn), with expectations for subsequent plants to become more cost-effective.
The Hesse government has allocated €20m for fusion research and development.
RWE expressed its commitment to advancing fusion technology in Germany by offering infrastructure at the Biblis site and leveraging its experience as a nuclear facility operator.
RWE also recently announced a power purchase agreement with Meta for the offtake from its 200MW Waterloo solar project in Texas – its third long-term contract with the American multinational technology conglomerate.
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PV Magazine
Indian Heavy Industries Present 20 Gw Open Access Solar OpportunityFrom pv magazine India
Indian heavy industries, including steel, cement, and aluminum, present a 20 GW solar open access market opportunity despite relying on captive coal generation, according to a new analysis by Ember.
The Ember report said the steel sector alone accounts for 9.4 GW of this opportunity, mainly due to its dependence on expensive grid power that could be replaced with open access solar. Cement and aluminum, despite their reliance on lower-cost captive coal generation, represent a combined 11 GW market.
Capturing this potential could cut production costs and eliminate 29 million metric tons of emissions annually, the report said.
The open access mechanism allows large industrial consumers to buy renewable power directly from producers, bypassing electricity distribution companies (discoms). Renewable power is transmitted from distant plants to industrial facilities using the common grid infrastructure.
Solar power could lower production costs by as much as 10% for some steelmakers. “In some setups, such as standalone arc furnaces used in secondary steelmaking, solar could reduce costs by up to 10%,” the report said.
Ember’s analysis said heavy industries in Chhattisgarh and Odisha account for nearly 40% of the assessed 20 GW solar open access market. A high concentration of heavy industries and favorable open access regulations make these states among the most attractive markets. Policies that reduce cross-subsidy surcharges and other fees further strengthen the case for renewable procurement.
“States such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh have long been legacy industrial hubs, owing to their proximity to rich mineral reserves. By integrating renewable power, they are well-positioned to begin their transformation to green manufacturing hubs. The shift is already in motion – Odisha is now actively envisioning green industrial parks, setting the stage for an export-driven, low-carbon future in manufacturing,” said Duttatreya Das, Asia analyst at Ember.
Beyond cost saving, renewable adoption also unlocks strategic benefits for industries. Lower emissions intensity can qualify steelmakers under India’s new green steel taxonomy, unlocking access to markets that provide a green premium, and enhancing long-term competitiveness, especially in regions preparing carbon border taxes like the European Union.
“India’s industrial sector, one of the hardest to decarbonize, has significant financial incentives to transition through renewable-based electrification. However, policy and institutional barriers must be dismantled to maximize this shift,” said Labanya Prakash Jena, sustainable finance consultant at IEEFA.
Sourcing up to 50% of electricity from variable renewable energy (RE) is already cost-competitive for heavy industries. However, pushing beyond this threshold requires more advanced strategies.
“Cost-competitive, near-24/7 renewable energy will power the first wave of industrial decarbonisation and redefine the future of corporate power purchases,” said Neshwin Rodrigues, senior energy analyst at Ember.
Ember’s modelling shows that sourcing 50% variable renewable energy is possible without integrating storage and is already cost-effective for heavy industries in India today. Increasing renewables penetration from 50% to 80% increases the cost to up to 1.4 times the cost of plain vanilla solar generation due to the need for energy storage and managing surplus power. Going further to 90%, renewables raise costs to around 1.6 times that of plain solar.
“Renewables are already a cost-effective solution for Indian industries, and 24/7 clean power is the benchmark for the future of renewable procurement. This report highlights that companies can make significant progress toward round-the-clock renewable supply today, with further innovation in storage, flexible demand, and market design needed to achieve full 24/7 coverage at competitive rates,” said Killian Daly, executive director at EnergyTag.
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03 April 2025
PV Magazine
India Reaches 74 Gw Of Solar Module CapacityFrom pv magazine India
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said India added a record 25 GW of renewable energy capacity in fiscal 2024-25, a 35% increase over the previous year’s 18.57 GW.
Solar power led the growth, with capacity additions rising 38% from 15 GW in fiscal 2024 to nearly 21 GW in fiscal 2025. India also surpassed 100 GW of installed solar capacity this year.
As the country pushes for self-reliance in solar manufacturing, module production capacity nearly doubled from 38 GW in March 2024 to 74 GW in March 2025, while PV cell manufacturing capacity tripled from 9 GW to 25 GW. India’s first ingot-wafer manufacturing facility, with 2 GW of capacity, also began production in fiscal 2025.
Under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar modules, investments totaled $4.8 billion, creating around 11,650 direct jobs. The subsidy scheme for residential rooftop solar, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, has also expanded significantly.
“India may have already become or will soon become the third-largest renewable energy capacity holder in the world,” said Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Prahlad Joshi. “This milestone is a testament to Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a sustainable and self-reliant energy future.”
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02 April 2025
PV Magazine
Europe’S Energy Storage Fleet Reaches 89 GwFrom ESS News
Europe continues to grow its energy storage fleet at pace, advancing its transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. According to a new report authored by LCP Delta and the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE), the continent reached a cumulative 89 GW by the end of 2024.
The latest edition of the report titled European Market Monitor on Energy Storage (EMMES) finds that 2024 has been a record year for energy storage deployment. Pumped-hydro storage (PHS) dominated the market, accounting for 53 GW of total capacity. Meanwhile, electrochemical storage reached 35 GW, with many installations in homes and businesses.
Italy, France, Germany and Spain hosted the largest PHS capacities.
To continue reading, please visit our ESS News website.
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01 April 2025
PV Magazine
Chinese Pv Industry Brief: Tongwei Secures $1.38 Billion For Polysilicon BusinessTongwei said it will bring in strategic investors for its wholly owned polysilicon production unit, Sichuan Yongxiang Co. The CNY 10 billion investment values Yongxiang at CNY 27 billion before the capital increase. The new investors will acquire up to 27.03% of Yongxiang, with the proceeds primarily aimed at debt repayment and working capital. Upon completing the transaction, Tongwei will retain a direct and indirect stake of at least 72.97%, keeping Yongxiang consolidated in its financial statements. As of the end of 2024, Yongxiang's annual polysilicon production capacity exceeded 900,000 metric tons, securing its position as the industry’s top supplier.
Risen has revised the timeline for two major investment projects, delaying their completion by nearly two years. The “5 GW n-type heterojunction (HJT) cell and 10 GW solar module project,” initially scheduled for March 2025, is now expected to be operational by December 2026. The project, with an investment of CNY 3.3 billion, will remain unchanged in scope. Similarly, the company’s “global high-rfficiency photovoltaic R&D center,” originally set for completion by year-end 2025, will now finish by December 2026. This project has an investment of CNY 500 million. Risen attributed the delay to a thorough evaluation of market conditions but reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term strategic value of the projects.
Golden Solar New Energy Technology has recorded a CNY 277.41 million loss for 2024. Its PV business generated CNY 79.76 million in revenue out of a total CNY 253.51 million, down from CNY 295.35 million the previous year. The company reaffirmed its plans to transition to high-efficiency heterojunction back-contact (HBC) technology and expand gigawatt-scale production through a joint venture.
Xinte Energy has reported a CNY 3.90 billion net loss for 2024, reversing a CNY 4.35 billion net profit from the prior year. Revenue fell 31.02% to CNY 21.21 billion. The company said it produced 198,800 metric tons of polysilicon and sold 199,200 metric tons.
TCL Zhonghuan said cumulative shipments of its 210 mm large-size silicon wafers surpassed 200 GW as of March 2025. The company introduced the 210 mm wafer on Aug. 16, 2019, and began mass production in January 2020. It shipped 100 GW by July 2023 – nearly four years after launch – but reached the 200 GW milestone in just 18 months.
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01 April 2025
PV Magazine
Indian Utility Ends 2 Gw Solar Tender With Lowest Price Of $0.03/Kwhfrom pv magazine India
Uttar Pradesh Power Corp. Ltd. has awarded 2 GW of solar capacity to four bidders at tariffs of INR 2.56/kWh to INR 2.57/kWh.
NTPC Renewable Energy secured the largest share, winning 1 GW at INR 2.56/kWh. ReNew also won 300 MW at this price. Adani Renewable Energy Holding Twelve, a unit of Adani Green Energy Ltd., received 400 MW, while Hindustan Power’s Fastnote Biofuels secured 300 MW, both at INR 2.57/kWh.
The developers can build projects anywhere in India, provided they connect to the interstate transmission system.
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31 March 2025
Smart Energy International
Solving The Grid’S Ai Power Struggle With Virtual Power PlantsGrid operators and utilities need to explore new strategies to meet the imminently growing power demand not only quickly but cost-effectively. One solution? Virtual power plants (VPPs), writes Hannah Bascom, chief market innovation officer at Uplight.
Everywhere you turn, it’s clear that AI is the topic du jour in technology and business circles. The opportunities that it offers are staggering and too enticing to turn down: PwC recently predicted that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy before the end of the decade. Now, almost two and a half years after ChatGPT’s public launch, which catapulted AI into the public eye, the question isn’t whether AI will be adopted broadly; it’s how we will power it.
AI, and the data center infrastructure that supports it, is energy hungry. Even with the recently reported breakthroughs from the team behind Chinese startup DeepSeek—whose open-source AI model seems to be capable of outperforming current industry standards with a small fraction of the chips, hardware and energy that other hyperscalers require—we don’t yet have enough data center infrastructure to support AI’s computational power, storage and networking requirements. It’s estimated that AI and data center energy needs will drive a 67GW increase in energy demand over the next five years. Building the energy infrastructure to supply this demand would require a massive capital investment, and, especially given supply chain delays on some critical infrastructure, it will take years to come online.
But we don’t have years! Grid operators and utilities must explore new strategies to meet this imminently growing demand not only quickly but cost-effectively. One solution? Virtual power plants.
From the Power Playbook: DeepSeek: What tumbling energy stocks say about AI’s power consumption
The largest untapped resource at utilities’ disposal is one that already exists: their customers and the increasingly electrified devices in their homes and businesses, including solar panels, energy storage systems, electric vehicles (EVs) and chargers, heat pumps and more. By enrolling and aggregating these distributed energy resources (DERs) in flexibility management programmes, utilities can not only unlock grid flexibility and resiliency but also leverage the megawatts these customers and devices bring with them as a Demand Stack that delivers firm, reliable, and clean capacity.
Many utilities already have demand stack building blocks in place: a combination of energy efficiency programmes that steadily reduce daily consumption, time-varying rates that actively shape daily load patterns, and demand response programmes that provide targeted relief during critical periods. Now, consider adding virtual power plants to that mix.
VPPs are the natural evolution of utility demand-side management initiatives, combining multiple technologies, customer segments, and utility programmes into a unified portfolio that operates like a conventional supply resource.
Because VPPs do not require the capital and infrastructure investments needed for conventional supply resources, they can be deployed rapidly and at substantially lower costs than supply resources. VPPs have enormous potential: the Department of Energy estimates that tripling the scale of VPPs by 2030 could help meet rapid electricity demand growth and help save on the order of $10 billion in annual grid costs, redirecting those savings back to electricity consumers. And the good news is that we already have a strong foundation for VPP lift-off—any utility with a demand response programme can evolve their programme into a VPP.
To deliver on their promise, a VPP needs to harness, orchestrate, and optimise energy assets across multiple customer classes, device types, and use cases. With multiple resources working together, VPP portfolios maximise programme enrollments, expanding grid services and ensuring maximum flexibility. They should also include real-time monitoring and control to enable utilities to respond quickly to changes in demand or supply. Grid services aren’t just limited to peak shaving, either. Best-in-class solutions use machine learning algorithms to predict energy demand, optimise energy storage and dispatch and reduce energy waste. With an integrated demand stack including VPPs, grid operators can manage local network constraints and wholesale price hedging, while achieving reliable capacity year-round.
For an example of VPP in action, take Puget Sound Energy, Washington state’s largest utility. Washington, along with the broader Pacific Northwest region, faces predicted growth in energy demand of more than 30% in the next decade, driven by factors such as data centers and electrification. The utility is leveraging a VPP to deliver 100MW of flexible capacity—enough to power approximately 100,000 homes. PSE’s VPP is a comprehensive programme that centralises the enrollment, dispatch and assessment of individual and combined demand response programmes (DR) across PSE’s portfolio. In 2023 alone, PSE scaled the programme from zero to 30MWs in just a few months by tapping into its demand stack, including energy efficiency, residential and commercial DR, battery storage and electric vehicle programmes.
To address the growing power demands driven by AI, utilities must begin deploying solutions now, and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) offer the most practical near-term approach to quickly deliver the flexibility needed for this challenge.
Have you read:TransnetBW gives sonnen greenlight for virtual power plant expansionPG&E launches ‘first of its kind’ virtual power plant
Building VPPs around data centres alone isn’t enough; they must also be integrated into flexibility management strategies. Standard data centres, data centres specialising in AI, and chip foundries are projected to increase demand from 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023 to 307 TWh in 2030. This massive growth in demand can be a net positive for the grid if it is paired with greater flexibility. Including data centres in VPPs can provide substantial, reliable flexibility during times of peak demand.
New research from Uplight and See Change Institute found that making this a reality relies heavily on two things: education and communication. The qualitative study found that while data centre managers largely understand the idea of demand flexibility, they know less about VPPs or specific flexibility programmes. With a bit more education around the mechanics, they express some interest in participating, albeit with some stipulations.
Their hesitations? Participating without significant benefits in general one-size-fits-all programmes. Not all data centres are the same, so load flexibility programmes should also be tailored to their needs while ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.
From the research, it became clear that if utilities want to flip the paradigm of data centres from grid challenge to asset, a tailored, customised approach to engaging data centre energy managers is required. And, that connection should start as a new facility (or expansion) is in the planning phase, giving plenty of time to help establish a positive relationship and best collaborate (and educate) on VPPs and other energy programme solutions.
Together, by leveraging the power of VPPs and reconsidering data centres as a potential asset, utilities can play a pivotal role in navigating this unprecedented moment of transformation in the energy landscape. These strategic shifts will not only help meet the rising demand for clean energy in light of the AI boom, but also help alleviate the grid’s pressing infrastructure needs. In doing so, utilities can continue to provide the reliability, flexibility, and safety that customers depend on. Embracing these innovative solutions will enable a forward-thinking energy system that benefits everyone—from consumers and hyperscalers to grid operators and the environment—and foster a more sustainable and equitable energy future.
About the author
Hannah Bascom leads the growth team at Uplight. Prior to joining Uplight, Bascom spent 20 years building partnerships and new markets in the climate and social impact space.powerplant
27 March 2025
PV Magazine
Waaree Energies To Start 5.4 Gw Solar Cell FactoryFrom pv magazine India
Waaree Energies will inaugurate its 5.4 GW solar cell manufacturing plant in Chikhli, Navsari, Gujarat, on March 29.
The company has begun commercial production from a 1.4 GW monocrystalline PERC (mono PERC) solar cell line, the first phase of its planned 5.4 GW capacity.
India’s largest solar cell manufacturing facility, the Chikhli plant will add 4 GW of high-efficiency TOPCon solar cell production in its next phase.
Waaree Energies said the facility includes advanced automation, state-of-the-art production lines, and stringent quality control measures to ensure efficiency and reliability.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Waaree Energies operates manufacturing facilities with a total installed capacity of 13.3 GW for PV modules, including 1.3 GW from Indosolar.
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27 March 2025
PV Magazine
Austria Installs 2.2 Gw Of Pv In 2024From pv magazine Germany
Austria installed 2.2 GW of new PV capacity in 2024, a 10% decline in new installations from the previous year, according to industry group Bundesverband Photovoltaic Austria (PV Austria).
The country added 2.47 GW in 2023, 955 MW in 2022, 660 MW in 2021, and 360 MW in 2020.
Several large solar projects completed in late 2024 prevented an even sharper decline, said PV Austria. By the end of December 2024, Austria's total PV capacity reached approximately 8.3 GW.
PV Austria urged the newly elected Austrian government to implement policies that maintain PV growth, including keeping value-added tax (VAT) exemptions for systems under 35 kW. The government briefly abolished the exemption in early March.
The association also called for the passage of the Energy Economy Act (E-Wirtschaftsgesetz), a stalled law that aims to accelerate renewable energy expansion by clarifying regulations and improving grid access, storage, and infrastructure development.
It also pushed for the government to establish conditions for the 2025 rooftop PV rebate program.
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27 March 2025
Power Technology
Toyo Plans 2Gw Solar Cell Capacity Expansion In EthiopiaSolar solution company TOYO has announced plans to commence construction of an additional two gigawatts of solar cell capacity expansion at its new Ethiopian facility.
The announcement follows the completion of Phase 1 of the facility.
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In October 2024, TOYO announced plans to build a $60m solar cell manufacturing facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia, with an annual capacity of 2GW.
This $60m investment was financed through internal resources and pre-payments. The fitting-out began last November, with commencement of production scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The new expansion plan will double the company’s current production capacity in Ethiopia from 2GW to 4GW.
The expansion is being undertaken to meet the increasing global demand for TOYO’s solar cell products.
CEO and chairman Junsei Ryu stated: “This expansion is a direct response to the strong demand we’re seeing globally for high-performance solar cells. We have successfully completed the construction of the Phase 1 solar cell manufacturing facility, which has a capacity of 2GW.
“We are currently conducting equipment installation, tests and trial runs at this facility. With formal production scheduled to commence in the early second quarter of 2025, we are confident in our ability to scale up production quickly and efficiently.
“The global interest and orders we’ve received for our solar cell products, even before Phase 1 is fully operational, confirm the strength of our strategic vision. Given the global demand, we have decided to proceed with this additional capacity.”
The expansion work is scheduled to begin in April 2025 with completion expected in July, and production from August.
The investment required to execute the expansion project is estimated at $47m.
For the Phase 2 expansion, TOYO is negotiating a lease for a 28,000m² facility adjacent to the existing Phase 1 site.
The infrastructure of the Phase 1 site will support the Phase 2 expansion, significantly shortening its development timeline.
“TOYO is committed to providing cutting-edge solar solutions to meet the global market’s needs while reducing our carbon footprint across the supply chain. This expansion reinforces our aspiration to be a key player in the global solar industry and our dedication to a sustainable energy future,” added Ryu.
In November 2024, TOYO secured a $150m solar cells supply contract from a solar module manufacturer.
This contract supports the manufacturer’s solar module production expansion in India and the US.powerplant
27 March 2025
Power Technology
Cip And Gc Storage Services To Develop 2.3Gw Bess Pipeline In ItalyCopenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has partnered with GC Storage Services (GCSS) via its Flagship Fund CI V to develop a 2.3GW pipeline of large-scale battery storage systems (BESS) in Italy.
The collaboration will focus on both Northern Italy and Southern Italy for the deployment of stand-alone battery projects.
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The first project will be ready for construction in 2025.
The development of large-scale battery projects aligns with CIP’s growing focus on energy storage.
With Italy’s supportive regulatory environment, the partnership aims to leverage CIP’s expertise to advance its storage infrastructure projects.
The move also supports Italy’s aim to meet the nation’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
CIP Partner Nischal Agarwal stated: “The partnership with GCSS is a great opportunity for us to expand our pipeline of utility-scale battery storage projects and to enter the promising Italian market.
“Italy has a clear need for storage, and the enabling market and regulatory mechanisms are being put in place to make battery storage projects commercially attractive.”
CIP’s Flagship Fund CI V, completed in March 2025, exceeded its €12bn ($12.9bn) target.
The fund aims to invest across various energy transition technologies, including wind, solar photovoltaic and battery storage.
Targeting low-risk OECD countries in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, the fund reflects CIP’s strategic shift towards a broader, diversified energy portfolio.
GCSS CEO Roberto Castiglioni stated: “Together with Agnoli Giuggioli (AG), we created GCSS with the objective of developing one of Italy’s largest and most bankable battery storage platforms.
“Leveraging our UK expertise and AG’s deep local regulatory knowledge, we are building a portfolio of strategically distributed sites across key Italian zones.
“Partnering with such an experienced investor as CIP allows us to deliver projects that set new standards for energy storage in Italy.”
In October 2024, CIP made a final investment decision on a 220MW BESS project in Chile.powerplant
27 March 2025Power Engineering International
Vattenfall To Proceed With 1.6Gw Nordlicht Offshore Wind ClusterSwedish energy firm Vattenfall has reached a final investment decision on the Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms.
The 1.6GW Nordlicht wind cluster will become the largest offshore wind farm project in Germany and once fully operational will produce 6TWh of electricity annually.
The project will be situated 85km north of the island of Borkum in the German North Sea. It will consist of two separate sites including the 980MW Nordlicht 1 site and the Nordlicht 2 site with ~630MW.
Construction of the Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farms is planned to begin in 2026.
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Helene Biström, head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall, commented on the announcement: “By accelerating Germany’s energy transition and supporting industrial decarbonisation, it will provide clean, reliable energy while driving innovation and sustainability in the sector. We look forward to realising this important project in close collaboration with our supply chain partners”.
Vattenfall has a conditional agreement with Vestas for the supply and installation of 112 V236-15.0MW wind turbines for the Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the project, the turbine towers will partially be made with low-emission steel, which will result in a 16% CO₂ reduction.
Also of interest: Vattenfall’s old wind turbine blades hit the slopes as skis
Chemical company BASF purchased 49% equity shares in the project from Vattenfall in 2024. BASF has announced it will now be selling those shares back to Vattenfall and will be securing a long-term supply of renewable power for its chemical production in Europe – at times when additional supply will be needed.
The final investment decision for Nordlicht 2 has been made on a conditional basis, pending the receipt of the necessary permit.powerplant
26 March 2025Smart Energy International
Pg&E Launches ‘First Of Its Kind’ Virtual Power PlantPacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) announced the launch of Seasonal Aggregation of Versatile Energy (SAVE), an Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) demonstration and a “first-of-its-kind” virtual power plant (VPP) that harnesses residential distributed energy resources to reduce local grid constraints.
Working with multiple aggregators and the Demand Side Analytics research team, the demonstration programme will include up to 1,500 electric residential customers with battery energy storage systems and up to 400 customers with smart electric panels. The VPP will be dispatched for up to 100 hours from June through October 2025, providing localized support by supplying battery power and load flexibility to selected neighborhoods during local peak demand periods when electric substations and feeder lines approach capacity limits.
“Virtual power plants play a significant role in California’s clean energy future and we’re proud of our customers who are leading the charge with their clean energy adoption. Every day, we’re looking at new and better ways to deliver for our hometowns while ensuring safety, reliability and resiliency for our customers,” said Patti Poppe, CEO of PG&E Corporation.
SAVE is a demonstration VPP in which PG&E provides participating aggregators, including Sunrun and SPAN, with week-ahead hourly signals informed by grid needs. These hourly signals indicate PG&E’s energy capacity needs at a specific day, time, and duration, to allow aggregators to shift participating customers’ usage to meet those needs. This VPP will employ newly developed software from Tesla and SPAN to meet these needs.
Have you read:How Tesla’s VPP sale signals a shift in Australia’s power marketVirtual power plants (VPPs) hold the potential to reshape the energy system
The neighborhoods in which SAVE will be activated are spread across PG&E’s service area, with a concentration of assets in the South Bay Area and the Central Valley. Factors influencing where SAVE is deployed include areas where there is potential for overloading during peak summer hours, where the participating aggregators have a concentration of customers, and where PG&E has determined it can test capabilities across diversified grid needs (varying load shapes). Additionally, SAVE has an explicit eye towards equity, with more than half (60%) of SAVE customers in disadvantaged or low-income communities.
SAVE is being conducted through PG&E’s EPIC program, which enables California investor-owned utilities to demonstrate new technologies and evaluate how they support safety, reliability, and affordability objectives for the benefit of all California electric customers. Funding for the SAVE programme is provided through EPIC 4.09B Aggregated Customers on Distribution Circuits (ACDC).
Sunrun solar-plus-storage systems at customers’ homes in Northern and Central California will deliver targeted load relief to neighborhoods identified with highly constrained electric grids. Sunrun will be responsible for managing battery dispatches, and all enrolled batteries will retain at least 20% backup reserve to ensure power availability at customers’ homes in the event of a power outage.
“Customers with home batteries are a solution to alleviating strain on our electric grid,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. “We’re experiencing a fundamental shift as homes are no longer just energy consumers. With storage and solar, they become powerful grid assets, delivering affordable, reliable power exactly when and where it’s needed for communities and across the grid.”
Sunrun will use an advanced application of Tesla’s grid services platform to optimize Powerwall batteries to provide an exact amount of power at specific times to different locations. Similarly, Sunrun will leverage Lunar Energy’s artificial intelligence-enabled forecasting through its Gridshare software platform to dispatch various non-Tesla battery types to meet local grid needs.
SPAN will enroll customers with smart electric panels at homes in Northern and Central California to receive dispatch signals and deliver targeted load relief.
SPAN will use its Dynamic Service Rating (DSR) capability to shape home energy demand during peak events, ensuring that aggregate energy usage remains within operational limits of PG&E’s distribution infrastructure. SPAN customers can use their SPAN Home App to adjust their preferences to reflect how the SPAN Panel will manage appliances.
“We are excited to participate in the SAVE program with PG&E to show how SPAN homes can contribute to grid resilience and increase the utilization of our existing infrastructure without sacrificing individual comfort,” said Arch Rao, founder and CEO of SPAN. “We are uniquely positioned to engage households as partners in grid stability, transforming load growth from a challenge to manage into an asset that benefits all.
Originally published by Sean Wolfe on Factor This.powerplant
26 March 2025PV Magazine
Solar Adds Record 452 Gw To Global Renewables Capacity In 2024Solar power accounted for more than three-quarters of global renewable additions in 2024, according to IRENA.
Its “IRENA Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025” report shows that 585 GW of renewables were added last year, marking the largest increase in capacity to date and a 15.1% year-on-year rise – the fastest annual growth rate on record.
Renewables made up 92.5% of all energy capacity expansion in 2024, also a record for a calendar year.
Solar dominated the new renewables capacity, adding a record 451.9 GW. Together with wind, which contributed 113 GW, the two technologies accounted for 96.6% of global renewables growth.
China led the global expansion, installing nearly 64% of new renewable capacity, including more than half (278 GW) of the new solar capacity.
By the end of 2024, total renewable capacity had reached 4.4 TW, representing 46% of global installed power capacity.
Despite the record year for renewables, IRENA noted that the increase still falls short of the 11.2 TW required to meet the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. The agency said that renewables capacity must increase by 16.6% per year through 2030 to meet this target.
In the report’s introduction, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said that key energy planning issues, such as grid flexibility and adapting to variable renewable power, still need to be addressed to make renewables the dominant source of electricity generation.
“With just six years remaining to meet the goal adopted at COP 28 to triple installed renewable power capacity by 2030, the world now needs additions in excess of 1,120 GW each year for the rest of this decade to keep the world on a 1.5°C pathway,” La Camera said. “Looking ahead, we need to see a much faster pace of growth in the stock of renewable power plants and distributed electricity generation around the world.”
IRENA is urging national governments to use the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) as an opportunity to outline their renewable energy ambitions.
“Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Renewables renew economies. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer, with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean renewable power.”
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26 March 2025PV Magazine
Portugal Adds 1.77 Gw Of Solar In 2024Portugal deployed 1.77 GW of solar in 2024, setting a new record, according to the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG). This exceeded the 1.3 GW added in 2023 and brought the country’s total capacity to 5.66 GW.
Utility-scale solar led the growth, rising 66% year-on-year. Residential and commercial solar also grew steadily, up 23.4% and 26.6%, respectively. More than 0.5 GW of the new capacity came from self-consumption units for businesses and homes.
Pedro Amaral Jorge, CEO of the Portuguese Association of Renewable Energy (APREN), told pv magazine that the 2024 growth stemmed from years of regulatory updates at both the European and national levels, along with “great resilience from private investors in betting in the sector, despite what are not always the best and most stable conditions.”
He added that the approval of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NPEC) 2030, which raised the solar target from 9 GW to 20.8 GW by the end of the decade, was another market driver in 2024.
Corporate power purchase agreements are also becoming an increasingly important tool to allow financing and bankability for solar projects in Portugal, Jorge noted, especially for the market segment covering small to medium-sized enterprises.
Looking ahead, Jorge said continued policy support for solar and other renewables, alongside further simplification of regulatory processes and investments in energy storage solutions, will help drive the market over the next two years.
“The market will also likely be influenced by the ongoing integration of renewable energy into the Iberian market and the increasing emphasis on long-term contracts to mitigate price volatility,” he added.
Jorge said that the creation of a one-stop shop for licensing would help centralize and simplify administrative processes, while ensuring greater transparency and due project processing and permitting for investors.
He also suggested enforcing a two-year cap on licensing procedures to prevent excessive delays and safeguard investments, as well as calling for “heavy investment” in grid expansion and modernization, which he advised is currently under discussion.
“It is essential to avoid frequent regulatory changes that generate instability and unpredictability for investors, which cause disruptions and cost increases on the financing of the projects,” Jorge added. “Political uncertainty, which was raised three weeks ago, also needs to be mitigated and can also stall critical projects. The interruption of legislative activity due to electoral processes can delay strategic projects and jeopardize the targets set by the NPEC.”
If Portugal matches the growth in solar installations seen in 2024 both this year and next, the country could surpass 9 GW of solar by the end of 2026, at which point it would become the country’s leading electricity generation technology.
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26 March 2025Power Technology
Vattenfall Reaches Fid For 1.6Gw Nordlicht Wind Cluster In GermanySwedish energy firm Vattenfall has reached the final investment decision (FID) for its Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms, to be developed 85km north of Borkum, Germany.
The wind farms will have a combined capacity of more than 1.6GW. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with commissioning in 2028.
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The Nordlicht 1 project will have a capacity of 980MW, while Nordlicht 2 will have 630MW.
The investment also includes a deal with BASF, which will repurchase shares in the Nordlicht cluster that it acquired in 2024.
BASF will also secure long-term access to renewable electricity for its chemical production in Europe, ensuring a steady supply amid growing energy demand.
This agreement will help BASF meet its renewable energy needs when additional supply is required.
The two wind farms are expected to generate 6 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually.
As part of Vattenfall’s sustainability efforts, both wind farms will incorporate wind turbine towers made with low-emission steel, cutting the overall carbon footprint by 16%.
However, the final investment decision for Nordlicht 2 remains conditional, pending the necessary permit approval.
Vattenfall wind business area head Helene Biström stated: “The Nordlicht offshore wind cluster makes a significant milestone in the path to enabling fossil freedom.
“By accelerating Germany’s energy transition and supporting industrial decarbonisation, it will provide clean, reliable energy while driving innovation and sustainability in the sector.
“We look forward to realising this important project in close collaboration with our supply chain partners.”
In June 2024, Vestas received a contract from Vattenfall and BASF to supply its wind turbines to the Nordlicht 1 and 2 projects.powerplant
26 March 2025PV Magazine
Mission Solar Announces 2 Gw Solar Cell Factory In TexasFrom pv magazine USA
US solar module supplier Mission Solar has announced that through its parent company, OCI Holdings, will invest $265 million to add a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility to its campus in San Antonio, Texas.
Mission plans to produce 1 GW of cells by the first quarter of 2026, planning “to ultimately secure a total production capacity of 2 GW,” according to a statement by OCI Holdings.
The company said it will manufacture solar cells domestically using polysilicon from Malaysian OCI TerraSus, a subsidiary of OCI Holdings that uses hydropower to power its polysilicon manufacturing operations.
The US solar industry is working to establish an independent manufacturing supply chain, but solar cell production remains limited. Suniva operates a 1 GW cell manufacturing facility in Georgia, while ES Foundry recently launched a 1 GW plant in South Carolina. Meanwhile, domestic solar module assembly capacity is set to grow 190%, from 14.5 GW at the end of 2023 to 52.3 GW by 2025, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
“As our nation experiences a resurgence in American manufacturing, we are expanding our capabilities to deliver fully domestic solar solutions,” said Sam Martens, president of Mission Solar Energy. “Bringing solar cell production to our facility underscores our commitment to US manufacturing, job creation, and a transparent, ethical supply chain.”
Mission Solar completed a 200,000 square-foot facility expansion in May 2024 of its San Antonio factory, creating space to house a cell and module production facility. The company expects the cell fab to create 500 long-term manufacturing jobs.
The US-based solar cell manufacturing business is expected to benefit from the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) under the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers a tax credit of $0.04 per watt. Additionally, solar projects that meet a threshold of US domestic content are eligible for an additional 10% Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
OCI Holdings said that the Malaysia-made polysilicon from OCI TerraSus has a fully traceable supply chain that is compliant with US Customs rules and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
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25 March 2025Power Technology
Focused Energy And Rwe To Build 1Gw Fusion Pilot Plant In GermanyUS-German startup Focused Energy has signed an agreement with RWE and the German state of Hesse to build a 1GW fusion energy pilot plant at the former Biblis nuclear plant site by 2035, as reported by Reuters.
Biblis, Germany’s oldest nuclear plant, was shut down following Berlin’s decision to exit nuclear power.
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Germany’s conservative government, which won the February 2025 election, announced plans to create a regulatory framework for fusion technology in Germany and Europe in November 2024.
Efforts to replicate fusion reactions have been ongoing for decades, using magnets or lasers to create a sustainable energy source free from greenhouse gases and long-lasting radioactive waste.
In 2022, the National Ignition Facility, a US laboratory, achieved a scientific gain in energy from fusion reactions.
Challenges for fusion include developing a supply chain for lasers, sustaining reactions and integrating energy into power grids.
Focused Energy CEO Scott Mercer described the non-binding agreement as a step towards establishing a global supply chain for fusion technology.
“The plant would be the beginning and the learning lesson towards building a supply chain for what would eventually be global deployment,” he stated.
Mercer highlighted the significance of interest from RWE, Germany’s coalition government and Hesse in making the laser-driven fusion project a reality.
“The seriousness of the federal government in Germany towards pursuing fusion as part of the energy mix is, frankly, two orders of magnitude higher than it has been in the US,” he noted.
The solid-state lasers planned for the pilot plant are 30 times more efficient than those used by the US lab.
The estimated cost of the plant is between €5bn and €7bn ($5.4bn to $7.6bn), with expectations for subsequent plants to become more cost-effective.
RWE has made a small financial contribution to the project, while the Hesse government has allocated €20m for fusion research and development.
RWE expressed its commitment to advancing fusion technology in Germany by offering infrastructure at the Biblis site and leveraging its experience as a nuclear facility operator.
RWE also recently announced a power purchase agreement with Meta for the offtake from its 200MW Waterloo solar project in Texas – its third long-term contract with the American multinational technology conglomerate.powerplant
25 March 2025Power Technology
Orascom And Técnicas Reunidas To Build 3Gw Saudi Gas-Fired Power PlantOrascom Construction, in an equal joint venture with Técnicas Reunidas, has signed a $2.6bn engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the 3GW Qurayyah IPP expansion project in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The project involves a combined cycle gas-fired power plant, featuring readiness for carbon capture and a 380kV electrical substation.
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The EPC contract was signed with the Hajr Two Electricity Company, a consortium including ACWA Power, the Saudi Electricity Company and Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co.
Orascom Construction and Técnicas Reunidas have already received limited notice to proceed.
Orascom Construction CEO Osama Bishai stated: “We continue to deliver on our geographic diversification strategy with a particular focus on key sectors such as power and water. This project exemplifies the type of opportunities that we actively pursue where we can leverage our expertise to deliver high-quality projects and maximum value.
“It also builds on our success in the power sector most recently in Egypt, and we look forward to making a similar significant impact in Saudi Arabia. We are also pleased to partner with Técnicas Reunidas on this large-scale project and to extend our partnership in Saudi Arabia and the region.”
Orascom Construction has a history of projects in the Middle East and Africa with a total capacity of more than 30GW. This includes two 4.8GW combined cycle gas-fired power plants in Egypt.
In a related development, Siemens Energy has secured a $1.6bn project to provide technologies for the Rumah 2 and Nairyah 2 gas-powered power stations in Saudi Arabia.
These plants, located in the western and central regions of the country, will contribute 3.6GW to the national grid, supplying power to 1.5 million homes.powerplant
25 March 2025Power Technology
Laos Signs $1.45Bn Deal For 1.8Gw Project With China Western PowerLaos has entered a $1.45bn clean energy agreement with China Western Power Industrial, advancing the country’s clean power generation and transmission efforts.
China Western Power signed the agreement with Xekong Thermal Power Plant in Laos to design, supply, and build a 1,800-megawatt clean energy power project in southern Laos in collaboration with a Singapore-based construction company, as reported by Reuters.
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The project is set for completion by early 2030, with initial designs expected by the end of 2025.
Details on the project’s energy source have not been disclosed.
China Western Power has signed a $228.8m power transmission agreement with the same Laotian company.
This follows a $409m supply and service deal with another Laotian power company in 2022.
In a related development in 2023, a Chinese state-owned power company also signed an agreement to expand a wind and solar energy base in northern Laos.
Laos, known for its mountainous terrain, has generated 80% of its electricity from hydropower since 2016.
However, the country has faced challenges in scaling up solar and wind power.
Electricity exports, particularly to Thailand and Vietnam, are a crucial part of Laos’ development strategy, earning it the moniker “the battery of Southeast Asia.”
In February 2025, the Laos-China 500kV interconnection project was officially launched in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
This initiative aims to expand bilateral power exchanges, strengthening co-operation between Laos and China.
The project, expected to be operational by 2026, will enable a two-way electricity exchange capacity of 1.5 million kW, delivering three billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually.powerplant
25 March 2025Power Technology
Focused Energy And Rwe To Explore 1Gw Fusion Pilot Plant In GermanyFocused Energy signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with RWE, the state of Hesse, and others to form a consortium to invest in fusion energy in Hesse with the goal of building a pilot plant at the Biblis site.
Biblis, Germany’s oldest nuclear plant, was shut down following Berlin’s decision to exit nuclear power.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Focused Energy CEO Scott Mercer described the non-binding agreement as a step towards establishing a global supply chain for fusion technology, as reported by Reuters.
“The plant would be the beginning and the learning lesson towards building a supply chain for what would eventually be global deployment,” he stated.
Mercer highlighted the significance of interest from RWE, Germany’s coalition government and Hesse in making the laser-driven fusion project a reality.
“The seriousness of the federal government in Germany towards pursuing fusion as part of the energy mix is, frankly, two orders of magnitude higher than it has been in the US,” he noted.
Germany’s conservative government, which won the February 2025 election, announced plans to create a regulatory framework for fusion technology in Germany and Europe in November 2024.
Efforts to replicate fusion reactions have been ongoing for decades, using magnets or lasers to create a sustainable energy source free from greenhouse gases and long-lasting radioactive waste.
In 2022, the National Ignition Facility, a US laboratory, achieved a scientific gain in energy from fusion reactions.
Challenges for fusion include developing a supply chain for lasers, sustaining reactions and integrating energy into power grids.
The solid-state lasers planned for the pilot plant are 30 times more efficient than those used by the US lab.
The estimated cost of the plant is between €5bn and €7bn ($5.4bn to $7.6bn), with expectations for subsequent plants to become more cost-effective.
The Hesse government has allocated €20m for fusion research and development.
RWE expressed its commitment to advancing fusion technology in Germany by offering infrastructure at the Biblis site and leveraging its experience as a nuclear facility operator.
RWE also recently announced a power purchase agreement with Meta for the offtake from its 200MW Waterloo solar project in Texas – its third long-term contract with the American multinational technology conglomerate.powerplant
25 March 2025