During the period from December 11th to 17th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. China powers up nation’s largest standalone battery storage project
China's largest standalone energy storage project, the 500 MW/2000 MWh storage power station in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, has officially commenced operation. The project utilizes lithium iron phosphate batteries, involves an investment of approximately CNY 1.5 billion, and has an annual peak-shaving capacity of about 600 GWh. It aims to provide peak-shaving and frequency regulation support for the local high-penetration wind and solar power generation. Key equipment was supplied by CATL (batteries) and Kehua Data (inverter-booster integrated units). The project is connected to the East Inner Mongolia electricity market to participate in trading.
2. Insolation Energy advances major solar manufacturing expansion in India
India's Insolation Energy is progressing with the construction of its 4.5 GW TOPCon G12R cell facility and an annual 18,000-tonne aluminium frame factory, both located in Madhya Pradesh. Its 4.5 GW module capacity in Jaipur is expected to be fully operational by January 2026, with 3 GW already commercialized. The company has obtained BIS certification for its 635Wp G12R modules and holds 1.75 GW of module supply and 625 MW of EPC orders.
3. India’s THDC commissions new unit of 1 GW pumped storage project
India's THDC has commissioned the third 250 MW unit of its 1 GW pumped storage hydropower plant. Located in Uttarakhand, the project comprises four units with a total capacity of 1 GW. It employs variable-speed technology, utilizing the Tehri and Koteshwar dams to form upper and lower reservoirs, aiming to enhance peak load regulation reliability for the northern Indian grid. The first unit was commissioned in June, with part of the electricity to be supplied to Gujarat.
4. Bangladesh reinstates 11 solar plants totaling 918 MW after tariff cuts
The Bangladeshi government has reinstated approval for 11 solar projects with a total capacity of 918 MW, after developers agreed to reduce tariffs to approximately USD 0.08/kWh. This is expected to save the government BDT 11.69 billion in annual power purchase costs. These projects, located in areas including Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, were previously suspended due to high tariffs. They are backed by 20-year power purchase agreements, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive LNG and promote solar power generation.
5. Zambia tenders 25 MW solar project
Zambia has launched an EPC tender for a 25 MW solar project, initiated by local renewable energy developer Kiyona Energy. Located in the capital Lusaka, bidders must pay a participation fee of ZMW 1,000. The bid submission deadline is January 9, 2026. The company has another 302 MW of renewable energy projects awaiting commissioning. Zambia's operational solar capacity currently stands at 391.3 MW.
6. Zimbabwe plans 600 MW floating PV project
Zimbabwe plans to launch a 600 MW floating solar project on Lake Kariba in the second quarter of 2026. The project will be built in three phases over five years, with an initial phase of 150 MW. Located on the world's largest man-made lake, the project requires approval from Zambia. Estimated to cost USD 550-650 million, with completion by 2031, it will aid the country's energy diversification. Zimbabwe's current operational solar capacity is 203.3 MW.
7. US adds 21.2 GW of solar through September 2025
Data from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shows the US added 21.2 GW of new solar capacity in the first nine months of 2025, constituting the vast majority of the 28.2 GW total new capacity added in the period. Solar now accounts for 11.78% of total US generating capacity, trailing only natural gas, coal, and wind power. Several hundred-megawatt-scale projects in Kentucky, Colorado, Illinois, and other states have been grid-connected.
8. Three US states drive community solar growth in Q3
US community solar growth in Q3 2025 was concentrated in New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, with non-utility community PV capacity growing by 4%, 5%, and 2% respectively. New Jersey recently passed legislation raising its capacity target to 3.25 GW. New York's cumulative capacity reached 2.7 GW. Massachusetts' updated SMART program requires projects to serve at least 40% low-income customers. Policy support remains key to community solar development.
9. Scatec switches on 273 MW of solar in South Africa
Norway's Scatec has commissioned the 273 MW Grootfontein solar plant in South Africa. This is the first project completed under South Africa's fifth Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and Scatec's first plant in the Western Cape. Expected annual generation is 700 GWh. Scatec holds a 51% stake, with local partners and a community trust holding the remainder. South Africa's solar capacity now exceeds 11 GW.
10. Africa’s largest off-grid solar-plus-storage project comes online in Angola
Africa's largest off-grid solar-plus-storage project, the Cazombo Solar Park in Angola, has been commissioned. Developed by Portugal's MCA Group, it comprises 25.4 MW of solar PV and 75.26 MWh of storage, providing daytime power from solar and nighttime supply from storage with zero fossil fuel consumption. It will benefit 136,000 people. The project is the first under Angola's rural electrification plan, with financing led by Standard Chartered Bank.
11. Fire forces 400 MW solar farm offline in Australia
The 400 MW Wellington North solar farm in New South Wales, Australia, was temporarily shut down on December 6 due to a grass fire. The fire is now under control with no active burning, and the plant has resumed about 90% operation, expecting a full restart soon. Owner Lightsource bp stated the fire only affected the northeastern corner of the site, with no damage to major equipment, and grazing sheep on-site were unharmed. The plant was commissioned in mid-2024.
12. Equis launches 1.6 GWh renewable energy hub in Australia
Australia's largest energy storage project, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, has been commissioned. With a scale of 600 MW/1.6 GWh and an investment of approximately AUD 1.1 billion, the project is jointly owned by Equis and a state-owned power company in Victoria. It is equipped with 444 Tesla Megapack units and connects to the grid via the world's first 500 kV underground cable. The hub can meet evening peak demand for around 200,000 households and will support the integration of 1.8 GW of new renewables in the state.
13. Acciona Energia completes 380 MW solar project in Australia
Spain's Acciona Energía has commissioned the 380 MW Aldoga solar farm in Queensland, Australia, with a total investment of about AUD 500 million. Completed ahead of schedule, its annual generation can meet the needs of approximately 185,000 households. All electricity is supplied to state-owned energy company Stanwell under a 15-year PPA. Construction created 350 jobs, stimulated AUD 150 million in local procurement, and utilized local steel components, supporting regional supply chain development.
14. EU installs 65.1 GW of solar in 2025
The EU added 65.1 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, a slight decrease of 0.7% year-on-year, marking the first decline since 2016. Cumulative capacity reached 406 GW, surpassing the 2025 target of 400 GW ahead of schedule. However, the residential PV segment contracted significantly. Installations in 2026-2027 are expected to decline further, potentially jeopardizing the 2030 target of 750 GW. The industry calls for an EU flexibility strategy to unlock storage potential.
15. European battery storage fleet expected to grow 45% year-over-year to 16 GW in 2025, WoodMac says
According to Wood Mackenzie, annual battery storage additions in Europe will reach 16 GW in 2025, a 45% year-on-year increase, growing to 35 GW by 2034. Germany leads the market, with over 3.5 GW expected this year, reaching 7 GW by 2034. However, grid connection applications exceed 500 GW, posing interconnection challenges. Utility-scale projects are forecast to account for 18 GW and commercial/industrial for 8 GW of Germany's storage demand over the next decade.
16. Ireland reaches 1 GW of installed rooftop PV capacity
Ireland's installed rooftop PV capacity has surpassed 1 GW, covering over 170,000 rooftops. The country's total installed PV capacity has reached 2.1 GW, with households adding roughly 50,000 systems annually. The government provides a EUR 1,800 grant per household through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, extended until 2026. Policy support combined with industry capacity has driven rooftop PV adoption, seen as one of Ireland's most inclusive climate solutions.
17. Brazil to add 11.4 GW of solar in 2025 despite regulatory hurdles
Brazil's solar association ABSolar estimates that new solar capacity additions in 2026 will drop to 10.6 GW, a 24% decrease from 2024, marking the second consecutive year of contraction. Main reasons include regulatory hurdles like lack of compensation for curtailment, high capital costs, and restrictions on self-generation grid connections. Expected investment in 2026 is down to BRL 31.8 billion, with jobs decreasing to 319,900. Cumulative capacity is forecast to exceed 75.9 GW, with distributed generation accounting for 68%.