Data Center Demand Drives 66% Surge in Natural Gas Power Plant Costs
Tech giants Microsoft and Meta are increasingly building on‑site natural‑gas power plants to power data centers, but BloombergNEF shows construction costs have surged 66% to $2,157 per kilowatt since 2023. Build times have also lengthened by 23%, stretching projects into the early 2030s. The surge is driven by AI‑driven electricity demand, with data‑center capacity projected to grow from 40 GW today to 106 GW by 2035. Meanwhile, gas‑turbine prices have jumped 195% since 2019, creating long waitlists and pushing costs onto utilities and consumers.
GE Vernova Blade Break Halts Wind Farm Using Biggest Onshore Turbines
A blade on one of GE Vernova's 6.1 MW, 158‑meter onshore turbines snapped at the Drumlins Park wind farm in County Monaghan, Ireland, forcing the 49 MW site to shut down as a precaution. The incident, captured on drone footage, caused no injuries...
Invisible Infrastructure: Inside a Dallas Community-Driven GIS Substation
Denton Municipal Electric completed the Hickory GIS substation, doubling capacity while cloaking the facility in a 22‑foot screen wall that matches historic downtown. The project used BIM to coordinate underground utilities and addressed challenging soil and water conditions. Community workshops...
126 New EV Fast Chargers Are Coming To Oregon
Oregon's Climate Office announced the deployment of 126 DC fast‑charging ports across 24 sites along Interstate 84 and highways 20, 26, 97, and 101, funded by NEVI Round 2 grants. Each station will feature at least four 150 kW ports with CCS and NACS connectors and will...
Powerbank on Wheels: Bidirectional Charging Demonstrated in Electric Trucks
Project partners in the German SPIRIT‑E research initiative publicly demonstrated bidirectional charging on a MAN eTGX electric truck, delivering up to 325 kW back to the grid. The 480 kWh truck also powered a second eTGX via a bidirectional station, showcasing vehicle‑to‑vehicle...
Major Regeneration Scheme Sees First UK Use of Lower-Carbon Calcined Clay Concrete
A mixed‑use regeneration project at Brent Cross Town in North London has become the first site in the UK to use lower‑carbon calcined clay concrete. Contractor Midgard installed a permanent suspended slab in a 200‑unit build‑to‑rent building, substituting 30% of...
CATL to Supply Chinese Steelmaker with Batteries and Charging Stations for Electric Mining Trucks and Machinery
Chinese battery leader CAT CATL signed a multi‑year deal with steelmaker Jianlong to equip its mining trucks, heavy trucks, ships and construction equipment with lithium‑ion batteries and integrated charging‑and‑swapping stations. The partnership targets deployment of over 3,000 electric heavy trucks within...
AI-Enabled Smart Grid to Accelerate Power Sector’s Shift to Clean Energy
GlobalData’s new Smart Grid report highlights an AI‑driven transformation of power networks, with utilities leveraging real‑time analytics to fine‑tune load balancing and boost reliability. AI models from firms like Solcast and RisingStack now‑cast solar output, while National Grid uses sensor...
Georgia Power Files RFP for up to 6,000MW of New Dispatchable Energy Resources
Georgia Power has filed a request with the Georgia Public Service Commission to launch an all‑source RFP for 2,000‑6,000 MW of new dispatchable capacity, targeting needs through 2033. The solicitation will cover thermal generation, standalone energy‑storage systems and battery‑storage‑plus‑renewables configurations, with...
Huaneng Energizes 5.4 GW Hydro-Solar Complex in Southwest China
China's state‑owned Huaneng Group has commissioned the 5.43 GW Xiaowan Hydropower‑Solar Hybrid Project in Yunnan, merging 4.2 GW of hydropower with 1.23 GW of solar. The complex uses a new hydro‑solar intelligent coordination system that aggregates electricity from 16 photovoltaic farms through a...
How Much Money Can You Save With Solar Panels?
UK homeowners facing soaring electricity bills are increasingly installing residential solar panels to cut costs. Depending on system size and the inclusion of battery storage, annual savings range from about $570‑$760 for a six‑panel 2.8 kW system to $1,020‑$2,030 for a...
Texas's 44% Renewable Share Still Needs Reliable Backup
44% of Texas's electricity generation in the first quarter of 2026 came from solar and wind. Does this mean Texas is on its way to a grid that's fully or mostly powered by solar and wind? No. Solar and wind are...
Ireland Solar Exceeds 1GW Peak Output
Ireland’s grid‑scale solar generation broke the 1 GW barrier, peaking at 1,133 MW on 27 April 2026. The milestone follows a rapid climb from 750 MW in March 2025, reflecting a surge in new solar farms. Solar’s share of electricity demand rose to 3.1% in 2025,...
Renewables Overtake Coal
Renewables now account for nearly 34% of global electricity generation, overtaking coal as the largest single source in 2025. Solar power drove 75% of the net increase, adding 636 TWh, while wind also expanded. Coal’s share slipped to 33% after peaking...
Grand Designs Live Highlights Sustainable Building Systems and New Eco‑Friendly Sofa Line
Baumit used its Grand Designs Live booth to demonstrate external wall insulation and other energy‑saving products, while DFS launched an exclusive Grand Designs sofa collection made from recycled and sustainably sourced materials. The dual showcase underscores a growing market focus...
Brookfield's Insurance Float Fuels Global Real‑Asset Push, Including India
Brookfield Corporation is leveraging its $135 bn insurance platform and $3 bn annual fee earnings to accelerate investments in infrastructure, renewable energy and private‑equity assets worldwide. The firm’s recent MOUs in Andhra Pradesh signal a new wave of private‑equity‑style capital flowing into...
Veolia and Amazon Launch Reclaimed‑Water Cooling for Mississippi Data Center
Veolia and Amazon announced a partnership to install containerized water‑treatment systems that will recycle more than 83 million gallons of water each year for cooling Amazon’s Mississippi data center, with the first plant slated for 2027. The deal ties Veolia’s water‑tech...
Data Center Power Demand in Taiwan Set to Surge Eightfold by 2030 - Report
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs forecasts that data‑center power demand will surge eightfold, reaching roughly 1 GW by 2030, driven largely by AI workloads. Overall electricity consumption is expected to rise 13% from 2023 levels, with AI data centers alone projected...
Distributed Energy Infrastructure Installs Community Solar Projects Through Heavy Snowfall
Distributed Energy Infrastructure (DEI) has reached mechanical completion on two community‑solar farms near Lysander, New York—a 2.9‑MW West Genesee project and a 5‑MW Cold Springs project developed for Generate Capital. Construction proceeded through a record winter with over 100 inches of...
Enphase and Evergen Link IQ Batteries to Australian VPP, Boosting Home Grid Services
Enphase Energy announced that its IQ battery line will be integrated with Evergen’s virtual power plant platform in Australia, enabling residential solar‑plus‑storage systems to provide grid services and energy optimisation. The partnership aims to accelerate VPP participation among Australian homeowners...
GB Clean Power Hinges on Fixing Grid Connections
Britain’s clean‑energy rollout is being hampered by chronic grid‑connection failures, with developers receiving empty offers that lack dates, conditions, or technical details. Delays now stretch 15 to 26 months and cost overruns have surged up to 200%, eroding investor confidence....
Meta Signs Deal to Power Data Centers at Night with Solar Energy From Space
Meta announced a partnership with Virginia‑based satellite startup Overview Energy to tap space‑based solar power for its AI‑driven data centers in the United States. The deal gives Meta early access to up to 1 GW of capacity, with an orbital demonstration...
Irish Ambition and Delivery on Renewables at WindEurope
Ireland’s delegation, led by Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Timmy Dooley, used the WindEurope conference in Madrid to showcase the country’s renewable ambitions ahead of its EU Presidency. The event, which attracted over 16,000 attendees, featured an Offshore Wind Ministerial Session...
NextEra Contracted 4 GW of New Generation Projects in Q1
NextEra Energy Resources announced a record 4 GW of new generation contracts in Q1 2026, comprising 2.2 GW of solar, 1.3 GW of battery storage and 0.5 GW of wind. The utility aims to expand its portfolio to 41.5 GW of solar and 43 GW of...
Trina Solar Claims World’s Highest Efficiency for Silicon Solar Cells with 28.0%-efficient Device
Trina Solar announced that its TOPCon‑compatible hybrid back‑contact (THBC) silicon cell achieved a certified 28.0% power conversion efficiency, the highest ever for a large‑area 210R crystalline silicon device. The result, validated by Germany’s ISFH, combines TOPCon passivation, HJT‑style surface treatment...
Geotechnical Investigations to Soon Start at Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm Site
Fugro will launch a geotechnical survey campaign at the Caledonia offshore wind farm in early May, following a February geophysical study. The work, using vessels RS Alegranza and Fugro Synergy, will run through mid‑August and include cone penetration tests, seismic...
PJM Market Monitor Opposes 1.3-GW Gas Plant Deal Between Hull Street, Rockland Capital
The PJM market monitor, Monitoring Analytics, has asked FERC to reject Hull Street Energy’s proposed purchase of two peaking power plants totaling 1,267 MW from Rockland Capital. The deal could allow Hull Street to divert the Lee County, Illinois and Tait,...
DHL Deploys Second Solar-Powered Parcel Transport Ship in Berlin
DHL has launched a second, larger solar‑powered parcel ship on Berlin’s Spree River, expanding its eco‑logistics pilot that began in 2022. The new vessel, 19.5 m long, can carry up to 1,500 parcels and travels between Köpenick and the Osthafen near...
India's Solar Output Forms Heart on Valentine's Day
India's solar power generation making a big old lovely love heart shape on Valentine's day, February 14 2026 😍 https://robbieandrew.github.io/india/
Carbon Removal Shifts Pitch to Energy Dominance Over Climate
The carbon removal industry is reframing its pitch to win support in the Trump era, by focusing on energy dominance over climate change. https://t.co/WOQfYGioFw via @axios
Coca-Cola Canada Expands Volvo VNR Electric Fleet Across Quebec and Vancouver
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited is expanding its zero‑emission fleet with three new Volvo VNR Electric trucks in Quebec City and four additional units slated for Vancouver this spring. The rollout brings the company’s nationwide electric fleet close to 40 vehicles,...
Renewables Rise as Fossil Fuels Continue Declining
EIA: Renewables expect continued growth while fossil fuels decline #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/pdy79Sqisv
Court Revises Consent for Hydrostor’s 1.6 GWh Storage Project
Australian court amends consent for Hydrostor’s 1.6GWh long-duration energy storage project following appeal #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/EFmr0WYSDV
How Workforce Training Is Shaping the Future of Offshore Renewables
The Global Wind Organization (GWO) has standardized safety training for offshore wind workers, creating a unified curriculum that includes fire awareness, sea survival, and working at heights. Its digital registry, WINDA, stores certifications globally, allowing instant verification of credentials. Hands‑on...
Control, Not Capacity, Drives U.S. Home Storage Investment
Control, not capacity, could be the next driver of US residential storage investment #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/HrA33lxPPv
Energy Leaders Aspen Power and Vontier Accelerate Growth
People on the move: Aspen Power, Vontier Corporation, and more #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/xs0oGgSsfq https://t.co/7FtEyjHyMw
Tackling Grid Challenges with AECC: The TS Next-Generation Advanced Conductor
TS Conductor unveiled its next‑generation Aluminum Encapsulated Carbon Core (AECC) conductor, a composite solution that lets utilities replace aging lines without modifying existing structures. The AECC design promises five core grid attributes—reliability, resiliency, affordability, rapid deployment, and safety—addressing the shortcomings...
GOP Pushes Bill to Eliminate Renewable Tax Credits Deadlines
Republicans introduce American Energy Dominance Act, aim to remove renewables ITC, PTC deadlines #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/f8n0LxfYXj
Medium‑duration Storage Struggles as Long‑duration Capacity Expands
Medium duration storage endures woes, while Form’s long duration grows, and lithium overflows #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/fkhxxSDBPX https://t.co/6DZCLf8Dos
Applications for Home Energy Upgrades up 96% in 2026
Ireland’s National Residential Retrofit Plan, backed by a record €640 million (≈$698 million) budget, is driving a surge in home‑energy upgrades. In Q1 2026, applications for individual upgrades jumped 186% year‑on‑year, and total applications rose 96%, with SEAI processing 29,000 requests. The...
200 MW, 4‑Hour Battery Project Secures Contractors
Contract awarded for new 200 MW, four hour battery project battery secures contractors #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/3IZrAy3vDt https://t.co/5XPAdJJ6yV
Meta Taps Space‑solar Startup to Power Data Centers
Meta partners with space startup Overview Energy to secure solar power for data centers “Overview Energy is developing a system that can collect solar energy in space and beam it to facilities on the ground for power generation around the clock.”...
Hitachi Vantara Releases FY2025 Sustainability Report, Highlighting Leadership in Energy-Efficient Infrastructure for AI-Driven Workloads
Hitachi Vantara released its FY2025 Sustainability Report, showcasing new energy‑efficient infrastructure for AI‑driven workloads, especially the VSP One Block High End platform. The report details expanded lifecycle‑assessment tools, a 50% recycled‑plastic content in storage hardware, and tighter ESG governance that...
U.S. Drilling Expands Domestic Copper, Gold, Tellurium Supply
Rare U.S. opportunity to grow domestic copper, gold & tellurium supply for electrification, solar & national security as America reduces heavy import reliance. Phase 2 drilling ongoing. $GRL.V $GRLMF @GLMetals
Sungrow Q1 Profit Drops 40% Amid Storage Competition
Sungrow Power Supply, a top Chinese manufacturer of new energy equipment, said its first-quarter net income declined 40% from a year earlier, amid intensifying competition in the energy storage sector as more players enter the market https://t.co/rj46mx4qDW
Vietnam: Transerco Deploys 120 Electric Buses in Hanoi
Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) deployed 120 electric buses across seven routes in April, expanding its low‑floor fleet. The buses, identified as VinFast’s EB 8 and Green Bus 8, are 8‑metre models with a 290‑km range per charge. Priced at roughly $146,000 each,...
Standardize, Modularize, and Procure Transformers at Portfolio Level
We are short transformers, but to solve it we need to change how we buy them. The fix isn't just more factories — though we need those too. It's standardization. Modular design. Portfolio-level procurement instead of project-by-project scrambling. https://t.co/nHPIg2z3HH https://t.co/B3n5qUQLMQ
Renewable Power Powers Rainforest Communities, Replaces Diesel
Clean energy projects are taking off across the rainforest, reducing the need to burn diesel and bringing 24/7 power for refrigeration, schooling and tourism. Read more: https://t.co/ZgEIVqLCT0 📷: Michael Dantas/Bloomberg https://t.co/0qfYM2XWn4
Premier Energies Unveils 600-630 W All-Black TOPCon Solar Modules
Premier Energies has launched the NeoBlack Series, an all‑black, glass‑glass solar module line for residential and premium commercial rooftops in India. The modules deliver 600‑630 W power with efficiencies ranging from 22.21 % to a peak 23.32 % and feature TOPCon n‑type cells,...
TransiT Simulates Zero Carbon Transport Scenarios for the M1
TransiT, the UK’s national research hub for transport decarbonisation, is using digital‑twin technology to simulate zero‑carbon freight along the M1 corridor. Led by Heriot‑Watt’s Alex Foote and partnered with Cranfield University, the project leverages data from DHL’s fleet of roughly...