Category: Mega Trends & Analysis

SEA’s Energy Transition, Investments and Infrastructure Imperative

SEA’s Energy Transition, Investments and Infrastructure Imperative

Oct 12, 2026 | ,

Southeast Asia is entering a decisive phase in its economic and energy development. Rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, rising incomes and the expansion of manufacturing and services are driving strong growth in energy demand, while the region’s increasing integration into global supply chains is creating new requirements for reliable and affordable power. At the same time, recent geopolitical disruptions have exposed the vulnerabilities of an energy system that remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. The region must expand its energy system at scale while simultaneously making it more secure and diversified, and also reducing the sector’s carbon emissions.

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Eightfold Growth in European EV Public Chargers since 2020: ICCT

Eightfold Growth in European EV Public Chargers since 2020: ICCT

Oct 5, 2026 | , ,

Manufacturers of cars and trucks are largely on track to meet the EU’s carbon dioxide (CO2) standards for new vehicles, provided there are continued investments in the transition. For passenger cars, as of June 2026, auto manufacturers were less than 2 g CO2/km short of the average target of 93 g CO2/km for the 2025–2027 period. Electric vehicles are a large part of the compliance strategy. Battery electric passenger cars reached a 22% share among new vehicle registrations in the first half (H1) of 2026, with strong performance in large passenger car markets like France (28% of new registrations) and Germany (26%), as well as several smaller markets like Belgium (36%) and Denmark (80%). Adoption has also picked up in Italy (8%) and Spain.

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Philippines’ Grid Expansion: NGCP’s TDP 2026-50 targets a fully unified national grid

Philippines’ Grid Expansion: NGCP’s TDP 2026-50 targets a fully unified national grid

Oct 1, 2026 | ,

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands across rugged and mountainous terrain, remains one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) fastest-growing economies. The Department of Energy (DOE) is targeting a renewable energy share of 35 per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2040, up from about 25 per cent today, while system peak demand (SPD) is projected to more than quadruple from 20 GW in 2026 to over 80 GW by 2050. This expansion is being driven by a strengthening economy, a rising population, urbanisation, increasing electrification and a growing digital economy, including data centres.

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Lessons from India’s Transition to Electric Vehicles

Lessons from India’s Transition to Electric Vehicles

Sep 21, 2026 | ,

India’s EV market has gained significant momentum. According to the Indian government’s vehicle registration data, cumulative EV sales have now reached 10.21 million among more than 449 million vehicles on Indian roads, and the share of EVs in new vehicle sales rose to 8.25 percent in fiscal year ending March 2026, up from 7.48 percent the year before. This growth reflects deliberate policy support: Schemes such as the PM E-DRIVE, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for automobile manufacturing, and the PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cell (PLI-ACC) battery storage have lowered costs and de-risked investment for both manufacturers and buyers. Other countries pursuing their own EV transitions can draw on the same policy tools.

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11 GW+ new solar installations in the US in Q2 2026

11 GW+ new solar installations in the US in Q2 2026

Sep 14, 2026 | , ,

The US solar industry installed 11.4 gigawatts direct current (GWdc) of capacity in Q2 2026, a 45% increase from Q2 2025 and a 43% increase compared with Q1 2026. After a seasonally weak Q1, installations rebounded sharply, driven almost entirely by utility-scale volumes. The residential segment installed 995 MWdc of solar capacity, declining 12% year-over-year and 10% quarter-over-quarter. The commercial segment installed 638 MWdc, increasing 11% year-over-year and 27% quarter-over-quarter. The community solar segment installed 231 MWdc, declining 14% year-over-year and 8% quarter-over-quarter. The utility-scale segment installed 9.6 GWdc, increasing 61% year-over-year and 56% quarter-over-quarter. The quarter’s strength was concentrated in utility-scale solar as developers built out safe-harbored pipelines ahead of tax credit deadlines. 

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Building Malaysia’s Clean Power System

Building Malaysia’s Clean Power System

Sep 14, 2026 | ,

Malaysia has embarked on an ambitious transition to reshape its electricity sector by gradually phasing out coal-fired power generation while significantly expanding renewable energy. Under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the country has committed to ending coal-based power generation by 2044, supported by a policy of not approving new coal-fired power plants and reducing coal generation by 50 per cent by 2035. In parallel, renewable energy is targeted to account for 70 per cent of installed capacity by 2050. These objectives are driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy security, lower dependence on imported fuels and support long-term economic growth. However, replacing coal while maintaining reliable and affordable electricity supply remains one of the country’s most significant policy and technical challenges.

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Who Is Actually Powering South East Asia’s Buildings

Who Is Actually Powering South East Asia’s Buildings

Sep 7, 2026 | ,

Corporate power purchase agreements, on-site solar, and battery storage are moving from pilot projects to standard practice across the region’s building sector. What has not caught up is uniformity. For most of the past three decades, power procurement across South East Asia ran through a single channel: a state-owned utility signing long-term contracts with independent power producers, mostly for coal and gas. That structure delivered grid buildout at scale, but it left little room for a corporate buyer to simply choose a renewable supplier. The shift now underway, allowing companies to contract more directly with renewable generators, is a genuinely new development, and it is unfolding at different speeds in every market.

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Renewables Account for 50% European Electricity in 2025

Renewables Account for 50% European Electricity in 2025

Aug 28, 2026 | ,

In 2025, renewable energy sources made up 49.9% of gross electricity consumption in the EU, more than 2 pp higher than the previous year (47.5% in 2024). The growth in electricity generated from renewable energy sources during the period 2015 to 2025 largely reflects an expansion in 2 renewable energy sources across the EU, namely wind power and solar power. Wind power and hydropower accounted for almost two-thirds of the total electricity generated from renewable sources (38.0% and 26.4%, respectively). The remaining one-third of electricity generated was from solar power (23.4%), solid biofuels (5.8%) and other renewable sources (6.1%).

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Capacity Markets in Operation and Under Development in Europe

Capacity Markets in Operation and Under Development in Europe

Aug 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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Record capacity additions and diversification drive India’s solar sector

Record capacity additions and diversification drive India’s solar sector

Aug 10, 2026 | , ,

Solar has been contributing a lion’s share to installed renewable capacity additions. India added approximately 2.8 GW of solar capacity in May 2026, which resulted in around 3.4 GW of renewable capacity addition. Within the cumulative solar capacity of 157.05 GW, ground-mounted utility-scale solar plants account for the major share at 118.79 GW, followed by grid-connected rooftop solar at 27.88 GW, off-grid and PM KUSUM-linked solar at 6.31 GW, and the solar component of hybrid projects at 4.06 GW. Rajasthan leads with over 42 GW of solar capacity, followed by Gujarat at over 32 GW, Maharashtra at over 20 GW, Tamil Nadu at nearly 14 GW and Karnataka at over 11 GW. 

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Rapid Growth in Australia’s Distributed Storage Market: REI

Rapid Growth in Australia’s Distributed Storage Market: REI

Aug 3, 2026 | , ,

Utility-scale batteries are particularly well suited to energy arbitrage, whereby they charge during periods of low or negative prices and discharge during periods of high prices. This is their primary source of revenue. They are also the leading providers of frequency control ancillary services (FCAS), including regulation services and contingency reserves that help maintain system frequency close to 50 Hz. These services require rapid response times, giving lithium-ion batteries a significant competitive advantage. Batteries typically charge during periods of strong daytime solar generation and low electricity prices, then discharge during the evening when solar output declines and demand remains elevated, enabling energy arbitrage while supporting grid stability and limiting curtailment.

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Beyond roads: Inland shipping is China’s next electrification frontier

Beyond roads: Inland shipping is China’s next electrification frontier

Jul 24, 2026 | ,

By the end of 2024, China had more than 440 electric ships in operation, with ferries accounting for 97% of the total fleet. This is not surprising given the relatively high technical and economic feasibility of electrifying small ferries operating on short, fixed routes. Yet the real story lies beyond ferries: China has begun electrifying cargo ships—traditionally considered far more difficult to electrify due to their larger energy demand and more complex operational requirements—primarily for use along inland waterways. Electrifying China’s inland shipping industry at scale will require overcoming multiple barriers, including financial and operational constraints to the adoption of electric cargo ships. But well-designed, coordinated policy can chart the course forward.

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IESO’s Planning Outlook: New loads trigger transmission needs across Ontario

IESO’s Planning Outlook: New loads trigger transmission needs across Ontario

Jul 20, 2026 |

The Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) 2026 Annual Planning Outlook (APO), released in March 2026, identifies system needs from 2027 to 2050 and outlines the actions needed to meet them. This annual planning exercise draws on market intelligence, forecast data, models and studies, and includes a long-term projection of Ontario’s electricity needs. For the first time, the IESO has introduced three demand scenarios – Reference, High, and Low – alongside a new “growth margin” concept that distinguishes uncertain and variable sources of demand growth from stable baseline demand.

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India’s BESS market moves towards larger-scale deployment

India’s BESS market moves towards larger-scale deployment

Jul 13, 2026 | , ,

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.

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Europe installed 36 GWh BESS capacity in 2025: Report

Europe installed 36 GWh BESS capacity in 2025: Report

Jul 6, 2026 | , ,

In 2025, Europe installed 36 GWh of batteries, representing a substantial acceleration compared to the previous year. This corresponds to an increase of 11.7 GWh (+48%) compared to 2024 and marks the largest year on year capacity increase to date, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 (9.2 GWh). Since 2022, the annual market has more than tripled, and despite the slowdown observed in 2024 (+24%), battery storage has regained strong momentum. In 2025, utility-scale batteries led the market with 19 GWh installed, up from the 9.7 GWh in 2024. In addition, hybrid solar-plus-storage projects are scaling rapidly. Hybrid projects are gaining significant traction in the EU, with around 20% of new BESS capacity paired with solar PV.

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India’s Wind Sector Shows Signs of Revival

India’s Wind Sector Shows Signs of Revival

Jun 29, 2026 | ,

India’s wind power sector has regained momentum, recording its highest annual additions in nearly a decade. During 2025-26, the country added 6.05 GW of new wind capacity, exceeding the previous peak of around 5.5 GW achieved in 2016-17. A key driver of this growth has been the expanding commercial and industrial (C&I) market, which accounted for nearly 4.5 GW, or about 75 per cent, of total wind capacity additions during the year. Further, India’s total installed wind capacity stood at about 56 GW as of 2025-26. While recent momentum in the wind sector is encouraging, key challenges remain. These include untapped offshore wind potential, slower technology advancement compared to global markets, and persistent project execution and grid constraints.

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Offshore renewables could unlock over $1 trillion in economic benefits for Africa

Offshore renewables could unlock over $1 trillion in economic benefits for Africa

Jun 22, 2026 | ,

At a time when energy security, decarbonisation and affordability are high on the global agenda, Africa has an opportunity to harness its ocean-based renewable energy resources. The continent’s vast coastline, spanning 30,500 kilometres, offers significant potential for offshore wind and other ocean-based renewable energy technologies, supported by strong offshore winds and ocean currents. Yet, these power sources are still in the early stages of development. South Africa leads the way with 1,632 GW in offshore wind potential, followed by Namibia (1,259 GW), Libya (585 GW), Somalia (447 GW), and Morocco (382 GW). 

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US installs 7.8 GWdc of Solar Capacity in Q1 2026

US installs 7.8 GWdc of Solar Capacity in Q1 2026

Jun 15, 2026 | , ,

The US solar industry installed 7.8 GWdc of capacity in Q1 2026, a 27% decline from Q1 2025 and a 42% decline compared with Q4 2025. The residential segment installed 1,179 MWdc of solar capacity, increasing 6% year-over-year and declining 15% quarter-over-quarter. The commercial segment installed 523 MWdc, declining 4% year-over-year and 25% quarter-over-quarter. The community solar segment installed 247 MWdc, declining 4% year-over-year and 67% quarter-over-quarter. The utility-scale segment installed 5.9 GWdc, declining 34% year-over-year and 45% quarter-over-quarter.

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India’s Green Hydrogen Sector Gains Momentum

India’s Green Hydrogen Sector Gains Momentum

Jun 8, 2026 | ,

Green hydrogen is emerging as a key pillar of India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy, with the country increasingly focusing on building a domestic production and manufacturing ecosystem. Backed by India’s rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity, the sector is witnessing growing momentum with developments across the entire value chain. Falling renewable energy costs, technological advancements in electrolysers and rising global demand for low-carbon fuels and derivatives are further strengthening the business case for green hydrogen in India. The sector is moving beyond policy announcements and early-stage ambitions to tangible on-ground progress.

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Powering Europe’s Energy Transition

Powering Europe’s Energy Transition

Jun 1, 2026 | ,

Energy efficiency remains one of Europe’s most powerful and still underestimated tools to make climate and competitiveness a winning tandem. It is not merely a technical fix; it is a strategic imperative with no trade-offs and Europe’s most immediate competitiveness lever. Energy efficiency is lowering costs, reducing emissions and enhancing resilience. As the saying goes, the safest, cheapest, and cleanest energy is the energy which is not consumed. If Europe wants to preserve its leadership in clean technologies and reinforce economic resilience, SMEs must have access to the financing, tools and flexibility needed to modernise. This is why the next chapter of Europe’s clean energy transformation is focused squarely on them.

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