Big Moves
RWE secures approval for 1.1 GW Australian wind farm
RWE has received federal environmental approval for its 1.1 GW Theodore wind farm. The project is located in Central Queensland, Australia. The project secured State Development Approval in June 2025 and was awarded the Capacity Investment Scheme contract under Tender 7 in May 2026. The project, valued at A$3 billion, will comprise up to 170 wind turbines and a battery energy storage system (BESS).
News
PureSky Energy secures refinancing for US community solar portfolio
PureSky Energy has secured $183.7 million in investment-grade refinancing for its operating community solar portfolio in the US. The transaction combines eight debt portfolios into a single financing structure.The portfolio includes 211 MWdc of solar capacity and 58 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS). The portfolio spans across 43 projects in Massachusetts, New York and Minnesota.
Interviews
Floating solar is getting more reliable and profitable: Ciel & Terre’s Vincent Grumetz
The first floating solar projects were installed 15 years ago, and we can see that those power plants are still running and producing electricity. Thus, the technology is proven. Further, growth is also being driven by the price, and floating solar technology is becoming more competitive. For instance, the price of solar modules went down, and so did the capex of floating solar, thereby making this technology more profitable.
Opinion & Perspective
How Turning Brownfields into Brightfields Can Help American States Meet Energy Goals and Strategically Reuse Land
Energy system has always required land. Communities face competing needs and goals that inform how they use their land. At the same time, communities are also grappling with rising energy demand driven by new domestic manufacturing, data center expansion, and the electrification of vehicles and buildings. While solar and wind are now among the most cost-effective sources of new electricity, deploying them at scale is not just a question of cost. Projects often face siting constraints, permitting delays, interconnection challenges, and community opposition. Brightfields offer one way to meet growing energy demand while reusing previously developed land and reinvesting in communities. If these goals are priorities for policymakers, states should consider adopting intentional brightfield policies and practices as part of their broader energy strategy.
Mega Trends & Analysis
India’s BESS market moves towards larger-scale deployment
India’s battery energy storage system (BESS) is witnessing growing momentum as storage assumes a larger role in supporting renewable energy integration and grid reliability. As of May 2026, Renewable Watch Research has tracked over 29,000 MWh of standalone BESS capacity under bidding. The awarded standalone BESS capacity has crossed 35,000 MWh, while more than 2,000 MWh is currently under construction. Operational standalone BESS capacity has exceeded 4,700 MWh. In the FDRE and RE+ESS segments, over 4,500 MW of capacity remains under bidding, while awarded capacity exceeds 17,000 MW. Around 9,400 MW is currently under construction, and operational capacity stands at approximately 630 MW.
Policy Watch
New Community Solar Policy Interventions in Various US States
In 2026, the United States surpassed 6 million solar installations, just two short years after it reached 5 million installations. For Americans looking to save on their utility bills and, for those who add batteries, ensure resilient access to power during a grid outage, solar and storage are the go-to solutions. There is enough solar installed in the United States to power roughly 50 million households, and by 2034, there will be enough solar capacity to power 100 million homes. In 2025, a new solar project was installed every 59 seconds, and solar and storage combined to provide 79% of all new energy capacity added to the U.S. grid.
Tech Talk
Europe’s Energy Transformation: Data centres, grid stress and new opportunities
Data centres are becoming a systemically important electricity demand due to their scale, geographic concentration and fast growth, requiring more active grid management rather than passive absorption. They create challenges because their rapid development often outpaces transmission and generation expansion, and their software-driven, power-electronic behaviour does not always align with existing connection and planning frameworks. This calls for improved demand forecasting, greater transparency on grid capacity, and more coordinated, harmonised connection requirements across Europe, alongside flexible connection arrangements to manage near-term constraints. At the same time, data centres also represent a significant opportunity: their built-in control systems and electrical infrastructure could enable them to provide grid services, support flexibility and contribute to decarbonisation.
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Webinars & Videos
The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa Webinar
Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – a region that has long been a cornerstone of the global energy system – electricity demand is surging, driven by cooling and desalination needs, as well as urbanisation, electrification and digitalisation. How countries meet this increased demand will have profound implications for both regional economies and global energy markets.
Knowledge Centre
Carbon Pricing in the Philippines: Paper
The paper reviews the experiences of other governments and applies its own analysis of proposed carbon pricing and carbon market legislation filed in the Philippine House of Representatives under the 20th Congress. Specifically, this paper examines the texts of House Bills (HBs) 1817, 2055, 2481, 3685, 3820, 6407, and 6890, drawing on IISD’s technical submissions to the House Committee on Climate Change and a broader review of related bills filed before the House adjourned on 3 June 2026. The analysis considers factors that typically shape whether carbon pricing and carbon market frameworks work well in practice: whether they reduce emissions, encourage cost-effective decarbonization, remain administratively feasible, maintain support from businesses and the wider public, protect market integrity, and contribute to a just transition.
Finance
Can solar panels improve energy access for low-income households in Pakistan?
As electricity prices across Pakistan soar, the Punjab government is testing a novel alternative to traditional subsidies: providing free solar panels to nearly 100,000 low-income households. A new evaluation examines the impact of this programme on electricity access and household outcomes, to determine whether distributed renewable energy can ensure affordable energy access while reducing fiscal burdens. Chronic electricity shortages and rising fuel costs have made it difficult for Pakistan to ensure its people have basic electricity access. The country has historically relied on lifeline tariffs to subsidise electricity access for poor households.
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This space is reserved for sponsored content and advertising banners. Sponsored content can include white papers, webinars, case studies, research reports and other relevant content. The advertising can be in the form of banners with links to the advertiser’s landing page. If you would like to promote sponsored content or advertise, please write to us at: marketing@reglobal.co