Category: Mega Trends & Analysis

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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US BESS Deployments Rise By 32% in Q1 2026: SEIA

US BESS Deployments Rise By 32% in Q1 2026: SEIA

May 25, 2026 | ,

Q1 2026 saw BESS deployments of just under 10 GWh, up 32% compared to Q1 2025. The utility-scale market accounts for over 75% of deployments, as developers continue to see growing markets in capacity, energy arbitrage, and long-term contracts. Residential BESS deployments in Q1 2026 reached 515 MWh across the U.S., representing a 28% decrease compared to Q1 2025. Data center growth in the U.S. is leading to a variety of energy storage approaches from facility developers. The U.S. policy landscape for BESS over the last 12 months has been a balancing act between domestic manufacturing ambitions, immediate grid needs and energy security.

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Europeans turn to clean energy amid fossil fuel price shock

Europeans turn to clean energy amid fossil fuel price shock

May 18, 2026 | ,

The start of the Iran war has significantly accelerated consumer and government interest in clean energy. High fossil fuel prices and concerns over energy security have led to a surge in solar PV and electric vehicle inquiries across several European markets. Supportive policy frameworks can bolster the economic case for switching to renewables and electric vehicles. The relative size of Google searches for “plug-in solar” across six markets offers an indication that government support for new technologies influences take-up. Peaks in interest in EVs show a strong correlation with fossil fuel shocks related to geopolitical events, suggesting increased potential for electrification, which can be further supported through effective incentives.

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America’s Messy but Unstoppable Transition to EVs

America’s Messy but Unstoppable Transition to EVs

May 4, 2026 | ,

While the EV adoption curve has slowed in the U.S., the underlying technological and investment momentum makes the shift inevitable, with deep implications for labor, local economies and infrastructure. Ensuring a successful transition will require a multifaceted approach involving careful planning, workforce training, public-private collaboration and adaptation to policy and market uncertainties. The EV transition is at a crucial juncture where sustained, long-term investment depends on a stable policy framework, especially at the federal level, ensuring the industry continues to grow. If done right, the EV transition can still be a win-win for the U.S. economy, workers and climate goals.

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Wind Energy Market Outlook for Middle East & Africa

Wind Energy Market Outlook for Middle East & Africa

Apr 27, 2026 | ,

By the end of 2025, South Africa remained the largest wind energy market in Africa. Recent developments indicate renewed momentum in Egypt’s wind market. Wind power driving the clean energy transition Kenya continued to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s most renewables-heavy power systems in 2025, with renewables comprising more than 80% of the power mix. Saudi Arabia’s wind energy journey is marked by flagship installations and growing project pipelines under its renewable energy agenda. Türkiye is positioning offshore wind as a long-term pillar of its energy transition under the National Energy Plan for 2035 and its 2053 net-zero target.

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Renewables will increase across all US regions by 2050: EIA Report

Renewables will increase across all US regions by 2050: EIA Report

Apr 20, 2026 | ,

After 15 years of nearly flat U.S. electricity consumption, demand has increased by 2.1% per year, on average, over the last five years. Electricity consumption will continue growing through 2050 at a rate of 0.9% to 1.6%, with data center server energy use a major factor. Energy use in commercial buildings, home to data center activity, grows more rapidly than in the residential or industrial sectors in all modeled cases. AI servers will increasingly skew more energy intensive, the installed stock of AI servers grows exponentially through at least 2040, and computational efficiency will increase over time. 

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Coal versus Renewables in Southeast Asia’s energy crisis

Coal versus Renewables in Southeast Asia’s energy crisis

Apr 13, 2026 | , ,

For energy-importing countries in Southeast Asia, the current oil and gas crisis has led to consumer curtailment and a scramble for affordable resources. Countries that have suspended operations or underutilised coal generation capacity now see it as a way to replace the LNG used for electricity generation. This demonstrates that coal is not insulated from geopolitical shocks: short-term switching pushes up demand, which in turn pushes up prices. Only renewables are immune to such immediate crises, as once installed, they do not require a constant supply of fuel to generate electricity.

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Untapped Potential: Highlights from REGlobal’s Floating Solar in Europe Conference

Untapped Potential: Highlights from REGlobal’s Floating Solar in Europe Conference

Apr 3, 2026 | ,

Europe has ambitious solar targets (up to 600 GW solar by 2030) and there is a need for new deployment forms such as agri-solar, floating solar, and building-integrated PV. Main barriers hampering rapid floating solar deployment in Europe include complex and slow permitting processes, high costs and financing challenges and knowledge gaps with respect to risks and environmental impacts. These can be resolved by simplifying and clarifying permitting frameworks, supporting hybrid systems as well as promoting pilots and training.

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AI to unlock the next wave of renewable integration in ASEAN: EMBER

AI to unlock the next wave of renewable integration in ASEAN: EMBER

Mar 16, 2026 | ,

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.

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State of Energy Transition in Bangladesh and Pakistan

State of Energy Transition in Bangladesh and Pakistan

Mar 9, 2026 | ,

For Bangladesh, the next phase of the energy transition will be shaped not only by domestic policy, but by regional energy flows, costs, and infrastructure. The immediate task is to scale clean capacity while managing near-term energy security risks. Pakistan’s RE landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting policies, rising consumer adoption, and growing private sector interest. Hydropower remains the largest renewable source in RE generation, supplying over 11.5 GW, followed by 2.4 GW of wind and about 1.4 GW of utility-scale solar.

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Cost economics and policy landscape for the Indian floating solar sector

Cost economics and policy landscape for the Indian floating solar sector

Feb 23, 2026 | ,

India’s floating solar segment is at a transition point. Having demonstrated technical feasibility through a limited number of large projects, it must now shift decisively towards more scalable deployment. The pace of deployment needs to pick up too. Achieving even 10 per cent of the 100 GW potential by 2030 would require annual additions of roughly 2 GW, a sharp increase from the current levels. Going forward, the real test for floating solar will not be how many projects are announced, but how quickly these can move from site identification to commissioning, under a standardised and reliable national framework.

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