Big Moves
274 MW Madawaska wind project in Canada begins construction
The 274 MW Madawaska wind project in Quebec has reached financial close, enabling the start of construction. The project is being developed by EDF power solutions Canada, Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est, and Société de gestion éolienne de la Madawaska Inc. Financing has been arranged through a consortium comprising Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Desjardins Group, and KfW IPEX-Bank.
News
US DOE announces $1.9 billion SPARK Initiative to upgrade power grid
The US Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Electricity, announced on March 12, 2026, a $1.9 billion notice of funding opportunity to accelerate upgrades to the US electric transmission system. The initiative, called Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK), aims to modernise the US power grid to meet rising electricity demand.
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
‘Plug-In Solar’ Has Faced Major Red Tape in Most US States. That Could Soon Change
With electricity prices up nearly 30% since 2010 across the United States, governors and state policymakers are under growing pressure to help households manage rising energy costs. Many are now turning to an emerging technology gaining traction in Europe: plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar. For the roughly one‑third of U.S. households who rent or for those living in apartments, rooftop systems have largely been out of reach, making plug‑in solar a practical, affordable and viable option for households that have been locked out of the clean energy transition.
Mega Trends & Analysis
AI to unlock the next wave of renewable integration in ASEAN: EMBER
ASEAN's expanding digital economy and growing data centre capacity provide a structural foundation for AI adoption. The region's digital economy is now at around $300 billion and it is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Data centres are crucial for efficient digitalisation in the power sector, enabling big data analytics, AI, and smart grid operation. However, infrastructure quality remains uneven across the region, with significant gaps in connectivity, data governance, cybersecurity and interoperability standards. Without deliberate regional coordination, ASEAN could develop pockets of digital sophistication rather than an integrated, intelligent power system.
Policy Watch
Germany’s 2025 NEP: Adapting grid planning to new market conditions
Germany has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045, placing its electricity transmission system at the centre of the energy transition. By 2030, installed capacity is expected to reach 215 GW of solar PV, 115 GW of onshore wind and 30 GW of OSW. By 2045, these figures rise to 400 GW of photovoltaics, 160 GW of onshore wind, and 70 GW of OSW. The 2025 NEP anticipates installing large storage capacities between 41 and 94 GW by 2045, which were estimated at 43-55 GW in the earlier plan. Overall, NEP 2037/2045 (2025) marks a decisive shift in Germany’s grid planning philosophy.
Tech Talk
Interregional Balance: Med-TSO report studies cross-border links between EU and non-EU countries
The importance of interconnections between the EU and its neighbours in the Mediterranean region is the focus of a comprehensive report recently released by Med-TSO. The report presents an in-depth analysis of cross-border electricity interconnections between EU and non-EU countries in the Mediterranean region, focusing on the cases of Italy–Montenegro, Türkiye– ENTSO-E (via Greece and Bulgaria), and Spain-Morocco. It highlights the technical, regulatory, and institutional frameworks that underpin these interconnections, examining how electricity is traded across borders, how transmission capacity is allocated, and how congestion is managed.
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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 Southeast Asia: Brief
Southeast Asian countries have been exploring effective ways of introducing carbon pricing in their economies. In 2023, Indonesia launched IDXCarbon, the country’s first official carbon exchange. The Philippines is evaluating the feasibility of introducing an emissions trading system. VietNam announced its plan to pilot an ETS starting in June 2025, with the target of full operation by 2029. This brief summarises the current status of carbon pricing, including the most recent developments; discusses the challenges; and highlights the opportunities for making progress.
Finance
Scaling adaptation finance in Southeast Asia
The impacts of climate-related disasters are particularly severe in Asia. Between 2000 and 2023, Asia recorded average annual direct economic losses of USD75.7 billion from climate events or 40% of the global average, reflecting both the region’s physical vulnerability and the scale of assets at risk. Southeast Asia faces recurring floods and storms that impose significant fiscal burdens, strain public infrastructure, and disrupt livelihoods. Asia is warming at twice the global average due to its extensive landmass. Despite mounting climate risks, adaptation investment in the region remains far below what is needed.
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