Author: Khushboo Goyal

Why underground hydrogen storage in Europe matters for a low-carbon energy system?

Why underground hydrogen storage in Europe matters for a low-carbon energy system?

August 24, 2026 | ,

Europe’s energy system is entering a decisive transformation. Energy storage is therefore increasingly critical. Short-duration options smooth intraday variability and support hourly and daily balancing. But when imbalances last beyond roughly 8–10 hours, direct electricity storage hits technical and economic limits. At that point, only large-scale, long-duration storage can cover overnight, multi-day, or seasonal stress events. Until now, underground gas storage has been the primary source of large-scale system resilience, and it continues to play a critical role. In a low-carbon system, underground hydrogen storage will take over this role, delivering long-duration flexibility with clean molecules.

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Avantus secures $300 million for Aratina 2 project in California 

Avantus secures $300 million for Aratina 2 project in California 

August 24, 2026 | , , ,

Avantus has closed a $300 million tax equity commitment from Truist Bank for the Aratina 2 project located in Kern County, California. The financing supplements more than $525 million in construction financing secured from BBVA, CIBC and Santander in July 2026. The project will provide 150 MW of solar generation and 452 MWh of battery storage to the California grid. 

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Statkraft and Hydro Energi sign 8.8 TWh PPA in Norway

Statkraft and Hydro Energi sign 8.8 TWh PPA in Norway

August 24, 2026 | , ,

Statkraft and Hydro Energi have signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) in Norway. The agreement covers the supply of 876 GWh annually from 2031 to 2040, totalling to approximately 8.8 TWh over the contract period. The agreements will supply power to Hydro’s aluminium plants, with deliveries in NO5 electricity price area. The agreement follows two long-term PPAs signed by Hydro and Statkraft in April 2026 for the delivery of 0.9 TWh annually in 2029 and 2030, and 1.3 TWh annually from 2031 to 2038.

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Egypt approves 1 GW solar with 600 MWh BESS project

Egypt approves 1 GW solar with 600 MWh BESS project

August 21, 2026 | , ,

Egypt has granted a golden licence to Nefer Minya Renewable Energy for a renewable energy project located in West Minya. The project comprises a 1 GW solar power plant with 600 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is being developed by a joint venture between Infinity Power Holding and HAU Energy. Furthermore, the project is expected to require an investment of approximately $750 million.

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Low Carbon secures consent for Beacon Fen energy park in UK

Low Carbon secures consent for Beacon Fen energy park in UK

August 21, 2026 | , , ,

Low Carbon has secured development consent for the Beacon Fen energy park located in Lincolnshire, UK. The project will have 400 MW of solar capacity and 600 MW of co-located battery energy storage system (BESS). The project will generate enough clean electricity annually to power around 130,000 UK homes. The project is expected to offset approximately 72,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

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Global Mid-Year Electricity Update: Report 

Global Mid-Year Electricity Update: Report 

August 21, 2026 | ,

Global power demand is on track to rise faster in 2026 and 2027 than in 2025, even as the Middle East crisis temporarily increases electricity generation costs and as emergency energy conservation measures are implemented in some regions. Major economies have so far adapted to the loss of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the Strait of Hormuz while meeting rising power demand. A stronger-than-expected El Niño event in 2026 could increase global electricity demand further by raising cooling needs in many regions. Electricity generation from renewables is set to overtake coal-fired output in 2026, widening their share in the global electricity supply mix.

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US State-Level Energy Transition: Report

US State-Level Energy Transition: Report

August 21, 2026 | , ,

While policy changes have slowed the US energy transition, progress continues in several areas, with solar and batteries proving particularly resilient. According to the inaugural US energy transition leaderboard used in the analysis, Washington, Arizona, California, Illinois, and Oregon are leading the way to a low-carbon future. Republican states occupy 13 out of the top 20 positions, suggesting that economics is a far bigger driving force overall than politics. The clean energy transition is helping to improve grid reliability and temper price volatility, especially during extreme weather events.

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Evolution of Energy Communities in EU: Report

Evolution of Energy Communities in EU: Report

August 21, 2026 | , ,

The European energy transition is marked by the rapid spread of renewable energy sources, electrification of end uses, decentralisation of generation and increasing system stress driven by climate change. These transformations expose the limits of traditional, centralised electricity system architectures and require new organisational and governance models capable of coordinating distributed resources while preserving reliability, efficiency and social legitimacy. Scientific literature and recent European policy frameworks converge on the role of energy communities (ECs) as a key socioeconomic and technical innovation to address these challenges.

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PLUS Grid Storage begins construction on 200 MW Australian BESS 

PLUS Grid Storage begins construction on 200 MW Australian BESS 

August 20, 2026 | , ,

PLUS Grid Storage, part of the Ausgrid Group, has commenced construction on the Steel River East battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The project has an installed capacity of 200 MW/400 MWh. Commercial operations for the project are expected to begin in late 2027, with SCEE Electrical serving as the delivery partner.

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Capital Dynamics acquires 170 MW BESS project in Ireland

Capital Dynamics acquires 170 MW BESS project in Ireland

August 20, 2026 | , ,

Capital Dynamics has acquired a ready-to-build battery energy storage system (BESS) project located in Knockanure, County Kerry, Ireland. The project has secured 170 MW of grid connection capacity. The project will connect to the neighbouring 110 kV Knockanure substation. Capital Dynamics acquired the project from a group of private shareholders. Furthermore, the project will have four-hours storage capacity and has been classified as a long-duration energy storage solution by EirGrid.

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SEC signs PPAs for solar and BESS projects with Saudi firm

SEC signs PPAs for solar and BESS projects with Saudi firm

August 20, 2026 | , , ,

Syrian Electricity Company (SEC), Syria’s state-owned electricity utility, has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Saudi construction company Mohammed A. Al-Harfi, for the development of three solar power plants with a combined capacity of 760 MWp and battery energy storage system (BESS) totalling 1,077 MWh. The three solar parks will be constructed in the Wadiyan al-Rabi area in rural Damascus and will be connected to a 400 kV transmission line.

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Tyczka Hydrogen acquires green hydrogen facility in Germany

Tyczka Hydrogen acquires green hydrogen facility in Germany

August 19, 2026 | , ,

Tyczka Hydrogen has acquired a hydrogen production, filling and refuelling facility located in Hünfeld-Michelsrombach, Germany. ABO Energy developed, constructed and operated the facility before the acquisition. The facility combines a 5 MW proton exchange membrane electrolyser, trailer filling station and a 350-bar hydrogen refuelling station. The project will add 400-600 tonnes of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO)-certified green hydrogen production capacity annually to Tyczka Hydrogen’s portfolio.

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Gurīn Energy secures licenses for 379 MW solar projects in South Korea 

Gurīn Energy secures licenses for 379 MW solar projects in South Korea 

August 19, 2026 | , ,

Gurīn Energy has secured 379 MW of electricity business licences (EBLs) in South Korea. The licenses cover three utility-scale solar projects. The three projects are located in Jindo Island and Goheung-gun within Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. The projects include 216 MW Jindo Green solar project, 65 MW Jindo Jido-yeomjang solar project and 98 MW Goheung Nuri solar project.

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South Korea plans green hydrogen complex at Saemangeum

South Korea plans green hydrogen complex at Saemangeum

August 18, 2026 | , ,

Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and the Saemangeum Development Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a large-scale green hydrogen complex in Saemangeum, South Korea. The proposed project will integrate solar power generation, green hydrogen production and hydrogen-fired power generation in Buan, North Jeolla Province. Furthermore, the project is planned for 1 GW of onshore solar capacity with 320 MW of water electrolysis capacity and 100 MW of hydrogen-only power generation.

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Germany awards 2.1 GW solar projects

Germany awards 2.1 GW solar projects

August 18, 2026 | , ,

Germany’s Federal Network Agency has announced the results of the oversubscribed auction held in July 2026 for ground-mounted and non-building solar photovoltaic installations. The auction offered a total capacity of 2,135 MW. A total of 401 bids representing 3,170 MW were submitted, of which 48 bids were disqualified with 261 bids being successful in the pay-as-bid auction.

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MEAG sells stake in 460 MW wind projects in Texas 

MEAG sells stake in 460 MW wind projects in Texas 

August 18, 2026 | , ,

MEAG, on behalf of Munich Re, has completed the sale of its minority stake in two onshore wind farms to Ardian. Both the wind farms are located in Texas, US. The wind farms include the Horse Creek wind project and the Electra wind project. The wind projects have a combined installed capacity of 460 MW. The wind farms have been operational since 2016.

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Econergy secures €229 million for hybrid project in Romania 

Econergy secures €229 million for hybrid project in Romania 

August 18, 2026 | , , ,

Econergy has signed financing agreements of approximately €229 million for its Părău 2 hybrid project in Romania. The project combines a 342 MWp solar plant with a 150 MW co-located battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is currently under construction and is expected to commence operations in late 2027 or early 2028. Financing close of the project is expected to be completed by November 2026.

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Capacity Markets in Operation and Under Development in Europe

Capacity Markets in Operation and Under Development in Europe

August 18, 2026 | ,

There is a concerning lack of oversight over Europe’s capacity markets. Evidence suggests that advancements in Germany, Poland and Italy may violate EU state aid rules; with the schemes manipulated to favour gas power plants. European Commission is urged to enforce technology neutrality rules to ensure clean flexibility technologies have equal access; and ensure there is robust evidence of the necessity of these subsidies. A number of capacity markets will require EU state aid reapproval in the coming years, as they come up to their 10-year lifespan. At the same time, a number of countries are looking to introduce capacity markets. The clear, viable alternative to a gas-dominated system is a renewables-based approach, replacing the role that gas currently performs to provide flexibility with clean solutions like batteries, demand side response, interconnectors and long-duration energy storage.

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