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16 July 2025
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Jul 16, 2025ENER Data
The Spanish energy group Iberdrola has launched the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the Minhéu Hydroelectric Power Project, a planned 1,320 MW pumped-storage hydropower facility that would become Portugal’s largest if built.
Designed to operate in reversible mode, the plant will use the elevation difference between two reservoirs—one to be constructed in the Cumeada area on Monte de Minhéu and hydraulically connected to the existing 1.2 GW Alto Tâmega dam, for which Iberdrola holds exclusive water rights. The project aims to enhance the overall efficiency and energy storage capacity of the Alto Tâmega hydroelectric complex, commissioned in 2023. Once operational, Minhéu is expected to generate between 2.5 and 3 TWh/year.
The Alto Tâmega complex already includes the 160 MW Alto Tâmega reservoir, the 880 MW Gouvães pumped storage plant, and the 118 MW Daivões plant, both of which have been commercially operating since 2022.
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Brookfield And Google Ink 3 Gw Hydro Framework Agreement In UsBrookfield Asset Management, along with Brookfield Renewable, has signed a hydro framework agreement (HFA) with Google to deliver up to 3,000 MW of carbon-free hydroelectric capacity across US. The first contracts executed under this framework cover Brookfield’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydroelectric facilities in Pennsylvania, amounting to 670 MW of capacity with a total contract value of over $3 billion.
It includes 20-year power purchase agreements for these projects and will support Google’s operations across PJM. The HFA will allow Google to procure electricity from hydroelectric assets that Brookfield operates, focusing initially on the mid-Atlantic and mid-continent electricity markets, with the option to expand into other regions of the United States.
In April 2025, Google inked a power purchase agreement with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in Taiwan. Under this agreement, Google will purchase renewable energy from the Fengmiao I offshore wind project. The project is situated in Taiwan and is developed by CIP. The project is expected to be operational in 2027. Furthermore, once operational, it will provide reliable power to support Google’s data center, cloud region, and offices in Taiwan.
Renewable Watch
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17 July 20251 min readBrookfield And Google Ink 3 Gw Hydro Framework Agreement In Us
Renewable Watch
17 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia Signs Deal For 15 Gw Of New Solar And Wind Projects Under National Renewable Energy ProgrammeIn the presence of His Royal Highness Prince AbdulAziz bin Salman bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, ACWA Power—an energy transition leader, green hydrogen pioneer, and the world’s largest private water desalination company—along with the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) wholly owned entity, and Saudi Aramco Power Company (SAPCO), a fully owned subsidiary of Aramco, announced the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC).
These agreements mark a major step toward the development of seven large-scale renewable energy projects—five solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and two wind power facilities—strategically located across Saudi Arabia. SPPC will serve as the procurer and off-taker for the projects.
With a total investment of approximately $8.3 billion (over SAR 31 billion), the projects are expected to deliver a combined capacity of 15,000 MW, comprising 12,000 MW of solar PV and 3,000 MW of wind energy. These initiatives are integral to Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), led by the Ministry of Energy, and aligned with PIF’s mandate to develop 70% of the Kingdom’s renewable energy target capacity by 2030.
The seven projects include:
The projects will be jointly owned by ACWA Power, Badeel, and SAPCO, and are scheduled to begin operations between the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028. Financial closing is anticipated by the third quarter of 2025, paving the way for a significant boost in renewable energy contributions to Saudi Arabia’s national grid. “This landmark agreement represents a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision for a more resilient and more sustainable energy landscape, underscoring the nation’s steadfast commitment to achieving its ambitious renewable energy targets. As the largest and most comprehensive agreement to date under the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), it reflects our dedication to collaborate with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), PIF and Aramco as we collectively advance this step shift towards a more sustainable energy future.,” said Marco Arcelli, Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power.
Solar Quarter
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17 July 20252 min readSaudi Arabia Signs Deal For 15 Gw Of New Solar And Wind Projects Under National Renewable Energy Programme
Solar Quarter
17 July 2025
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Google Signs Deal With Brookfield To Procure 3 Gw Of Hydro Power (Us)Not available
ENER Data
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17 July 20251 min readGoogle Signs Deal With Brookfield To Procure 3 Gw Of Hydro Power (Us)
ENER Data
17 July 2025
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Hungary’S Solar Capacity Surpasses 8 GwHungary’s cumulative solar capacity exceeded 8 GW by the end of last month, according to an update from the country’s Ministry of Energy.
The milestone represents steady growth in Hungary’s solar capacity, which reached the 7 GW mark by the end of last year after adding 1.41 GW across 2024.
The rise of solar energy production helped to keep the share of imported electricity below 20% across the first six months of the year, the ministry added, compared to a share of nearly 25% in the same period last year.
Electricity imports were particularly low during the second quarter of this year, according to data released by transmission system operator MAVIR, totaling 10% in April, 13.5% in May, and 13.7% in June.
The ministry’s latest update adds that a tender with a budget of HUF 50 billion ($142.2 million), aimed at companies looking to install industrial-sized energy storage facilities, will be launched soon. To date, the government has supported the installation of both domestic and industrial-scale energy storage facilities through three funding calls worth HUF 180 billion.
Last month, the country’s deputy minister of energy, Gàbor Czepek, said more than 300,000 solar power plants were operating across the nation, with over four-fifths of the existing capacity installed since 2020.
Solar energy production in Hungary reached a new peak on June 13 this year, Czepek added, producing enough energy to serve the country’s domestic electricity requirements entirely from renewables.
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PV Magazine
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17 July 20252 min readHungary’S Solar Capacity Surpasses 8 Gw
PV Magazine
17 July 2025
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Philippines’ Rooftop Solar Capacity Estimated At Over 1.8 GwA new solar mapping tool has calculated the Philippines has over 1.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity.
The Solar Power Estimation of Capacities and Tracking Using Machine Learning (Spectrum) tool, developed by the Quezon City-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), is a proprietary model and web platform. It uses machine learning and satellite data to provide estimates of solar energy capacity across the Philippines.
When analyzing 174 cities and municipalities across the country, the platform found over 1.3 GW of rooftop solar capacity in Luzon, 472 MW in Visayas and 61 MW in Mindanao, amounting to 1.846 GW nationwide.
Of this detected capacity, almost 1.4 GW is utility-scale rooftop solar, while commercial installations covered 203 MW and residential installations, including those under the Philippines’ net-metering program, made up 245 MW.
ICSC says the current version of Spectrum achieves a precision of 87.6% when assessing residential rooftop installations, compared to 87.1% for commercial installations and almost 98.5% for utility-scale installations.
Jephraim Manansala, ICSC Chief Data Scientist, commented that unregistered solar rooftop capacities are becoming “more significant across the country, which poses a challenge to distribution utilities to adapt their operations and planning.”
“Despite being unregistered, these growing capacities could still contribute significantly to renewable energy generation targets,” Manansala added. “That’s why we need a clearer, more granular view of what’s already on the ground.”
Mylene Capongcol, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy of the Philippines, said that the mapping tool will help identify potential projects and explore new business models. “This also paves the way for the introduction and expansion of innovative and impactful power purchase agreements,” Capongcol added.
ICSC says it will continue to develop its Spectrum model with aims to improve its precision, expand coverage, and ability to track growth of solar capacities over time.
According to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Philippines’ cumulative solar capacity surpassed 2.9 GW by the end of 2024.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
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17 July 20252 min readPhilippines’ Rooftop Solar Capacity Estimated At Over 1.8 Gw
PV Magazine
17 July 2025
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Argentina’S First Energy Storage Tender Secures 1.35 Gw Of BidsFrom ESS News
The Argentinian government opened the bids this week for its AlmaGBA tender process. The international tender, first announced in February, aimed to secure 500 MW of energy storage capacity for critical points in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) grid.
In a strong show of interest, 15 companies submitted 27 different project proposals. These represent a combined investment commitment of over $1 billion and a total of 1,347 MW of power, significantly exceeding the 500 MW sought by the tender. Eligible BESS for the tender must be new and must supply power for at least four consecutive hours per full discharge cycle, impying a maximum capacity
To continue reading, please visit our ESS News website.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
PV Magazine
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17 July 20251 min readArgentina’S First Energy Storage Tender Secures 1.35 Gw Of Bids
PV Magazine
17 July 2025
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Acwa Power, Badeel And Sapco To Develop 15 Gw Of Clean Energy Projects In Saudi ArabiaACWA Power, in partnership with Badeel and the Saudi Aramco Power Company (SAPCO), has entered into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for the development of seven utility-scale renewable energy projects. These include five solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and two wind power projects, with a cumulative generation capacity of 15 GW.
The projects, with an estimated investment of $8.3 billion, are planned to add 12 GW of solar PV and 3 GW of wind energy to the national grid. The solar PV projects include the 3,000 MW Bisha plant in the Asir province, the 3,000 MW Humaij facility in Madinah, the 2,000 MW Khulis project in Makkah, and the 2,000 MW Afif1 and 2,000 MW Afif2 projects in Riyadh. The wind projects comprises the 2,000 MW Starah and 1,000 MW Shaqra projects, both located in the Riyadh province. The ownership of all seven projects will be shared between ACWA Power, Badeel, and SAPCO.
These projects are scheduled to become operational in phases between the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028. Financial closure for the portfolio is expected by the third quarter of 2025. With the addition of these seven new plants, ACWA Power now has 21 solar and wind energy projects under development or operation in Saudi Arabia, totaling over 34 GW of renewable capacity in the kingdom.
Renewable Watch
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16 July 20252 min readAcwa Power, Badeel And Sapco To Develop 15 Gw Of Clean Energy Projects In Saudi Arabia
Renewable Watch
16 July 2025
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India’S Solar Boom: 116 Gw Now Powers 24% Of Total Capacity In 484 Gw Energy MixIndia is steadily expanding its renewable energy sector while trying to balance its growing energy demands and climate commitments. As of June 2025, coal remains the dominant source of electricity, contributing 44.28% to the country’s total installed power capacity. However, the share of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, is rising quickly and becoming a key part of the national energy mix.
In just the first half of 2025, India added 18,383.11 megawatts (MW) of new solar capacity. This growth is being supported by government initiatives such as the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), which ensures the quality of solar modules and encourages local manufacturing. These efforts are helping the country move towards a cleaner and more self-reliant energy system.
By the end of June 2025, renewable energy sources accounted for 38.8% of the total installed power capacity in India. Solar energy played a leading role in this development. The total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached 116.247 gigawatts (GW), representing 62.97% of the total renewable energy capacity. Solar power now contributes 23.98% to India’s entire power mix. This marks a 36% increase in solar capacity compared to the previous year, reflecting the speed at which solar energy is being adopted across the country.
Overall, India’s total installed power capacity touched 484 GW in June 2025, showing an annual growth rate of 8.66%. Despite the fast growth in renewable energy, coal-based thermal power continues to supply nearly half of the country’s electricity. This shows the ongoing challenges in transitioning completely to clean energy sources. Ensuring a stable power supply and grid reliability remains a key concern as more variable renewable energy is added to the grid.
Apart from environmental benefits, the rise of renewable energy is also bringing socio-economic gains. Solar and wind energy projects are creating new jobs, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. These projects are supporting local economies, improving electricity access, and driving development in remote areas. This is enhancing the quality of life for many communities.
Renewable energy is also helping to strengthen India’s energy security. With more power being generated from solar and wind sources, the country is reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels. This also protects the economy from sudden fluctuations in global energy prices. At the same time, advancements in energy storage and grid technologies are making renewable power more reliable and easier to manage.
Global developments are also opening new doors for Indian solar manufacturers. For example, the United States has imposed revised tariffs on solar imports from countries like China. This shift could benefit Indian manufacturers by increasing export opportunities, as long as they maintain high standards and competitive pricing.
Solar Quarter
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16 July 20253 min readIndia’S Solar Boom: 116 Gw Now Powers 24% Of Total Capacity In 484 Gw Energy Mix
Solar Quarter
16 July 2025
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Iberdrola Proposes 1.32 Gw Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project In PortugalThe Spanish energy group Iberdrola has launched the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the Minhéu Hydroelectric Power Project, a planned 1,320 MW pumped-storage hydropower facility that would become Portugal’s largest if built.
Designed to operate in reversible mode, the plant will use the elevation difference between two reservoirs—one to be constructed in the Cumeada area on Monte de Minhéu and hydraulically connected to the existing 1.2 GW Alto Tâmega dam, for which Iberdrola holds exclusive water rights. The project aims to enhance the overall efficiency and energy storage capacity of the Alto Tâmega hydroelectric complex, commissioned in 2023. Once operational, Minhéu is expected to generate between 2.5 and 3 TWh/year.
The Alto Tâmega complex already includes the 160 MW Alto Tâmega reservoir, the 880 MW Gouvães pumped storage plant, and the 118 MW Daivões plant, both of which have been commercially operating since 2022.
ENER Data
powerplant
16 July 20251 min readIberdrola Proposes 1.32 Gw Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project In Portugal
ENER Data
16 July 2025
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Acwa Power Plans To Develop 15 Gw Of Wind And Solar Capacity In Saudi ArabiaNot available
ENER Data
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16 July 20251 min readAcwa Power Plans To Develop 15 Gw Of Wind And Solar Capacity In Saudi Arabia
ENER Data
16 July 2025
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Kraken’S Residential Virtual Power Plant (Vpp) Reaches 2 Gw Power MilestoneA VPP flattens peak electricity demand, supports local congestion management, and helps balance the overall electricity system by automatically scheduling charging and heating – charging EVs and heating homes when grid demand is low and energy is more abundant, cheaper, and greener. This in turn delivers a more resilient, flexible energy system for an electricity-hungry modern world.
Kraken has now connected to over 500,000 devices, managing 2 GW of power, including EVs, heat pumps, solar panels, home batteries and smart thermostats, which the platform manages in real time. By charging and heating when energy is cheapest and cleanest, Kraken is already saving consumers over $200 million a year – while reducing emissions and easing pressure on the grid.
As the adoption of low-carbon technologies accelerates, consumers are becoming active participants in a more resilient, flexible energy system. Each electric vehicle is not just transport – its battery holds enough energy to power a home for days. By intelligently shifting demand and supplying power when it matters most, these devices help lower peak demand, reduce emissions, and strengthen the system against outages.
Kraken has recently expanded through new partnerships with E.ON, Next in the UK and MAINGAU Energie in Germany – who join others, like Octopus Energy, in bringing intelligent demand management to millions more homes across Europe.
The domestic flexibility service sits alongside Kraken’s optimisation of large assets, such as grid-scale battery sites. The company powers around half of the UK’s grid-scale batteries through a broad network of partnerships with leading utilities, energy suppliers, and traders, enabling seamless route-to-market for battery sites.
Kraken is a co-founder of the Mercury Consortium, a public-private initiative that was set up with the goal of establishing a “Bluetooth for energy” - setting a common framework for the integration of devices such as EVs, heat pumps, home solar and batteries into the grid, no matter the manufacturer or energy provider. This will help to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
“We’re building an energy system that’s not only cleaner and smarter, but truly consumer-led” said Wren White, Kraken’s General Manager of Residential Flexibility. “This is an energy transition with and for the consumers – empowering households to drive change, cut costs, and support a more resilient grid, every day.”
For additional information:
Kraken
Renewable Energy Magazine
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16 July 20252 min readKraken’S Residential Virtual Power Plant (Vpp) Reaches 2 Gw Power Milestone
Renewable Energy Magazine
16 July 2025
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India Achieves 50% Clean Power Milestone As Renewable Surge Hits Record 7.3 Gw In June – EqIn Short : India added a record 7.3 GW of renewable capacity in June 2025, led by solar, raising its total non-fossil capacity to 242.8 GW. Clean energy now accounts for 50% of total capacity, five years ahead of target. Foreign direct investment in the sector has crossed ₹1.6 lakh crore, highlighting strong investor confidence in India’s green energy transition.
In Detail :India recorded a significant milestone in June 2025 by adding 7.3 GW of renewable energy capacity, marking a sharp increase from just 1.4 GW in the same month last year. This growth was primarily driven by large-scale solar and wind installations, reflecting accelerated momentum in the country’s clean energy transition.
Of the total addition, 5.4 GW came from solar energy projects, supported by faster approvals, favorable policies, and improved project execution. States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra played a key role in driving this growth, reaffirming their position as renewable energy hubs.
With this addition, India’s total non-fossil fuel power capacity has reached 242.8 GW out of a total 484.8 GW. Notably, this means non-fossil sources now make up 50 percent of the country’s installed power capacity—achieved five years ahead of the government’s 2030 target.
Foreign direct investment in India’s clean energy sector has also surged, crossing ₹1.6 lakh crore. This reflects growing investor confidence and strong public–private collaboration in driving the country’s energy transition goals forward.
Despite the rapid increase in installed capacity, coal still remains the primary source for actual power generation. Bridging the gap between capacity and output remains a priority as India works toward a more balanced and sustainable energy mix.
To build on this momentum, India is focusing on areas like battery storage, green hydrogen, and recycling of renewable components. Upgrading the grid, improving financial stability in the power sector, and reducing fossil fuel dependence will be critical to sustaining progress toward a low-carbon future.
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EQ Mazagine
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16 July 20252 min readIndia Achieves 50% Clean Power Milestone As Renewable Surge Hits Record 7.3 Gw In June – Eq
EQ Mazagine
16 July 2025
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