During the period from December 25th to 31th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. BNEF flags potential global solar slowdown in 2026 as China cools
BloombergNEF's latest forecast indicates that global new solar PV installations in 2026 could see their first year-on-year decline in a decade, primarily due to slower growth in China. Installations are projected at 649 GW, down 6 GW from 2025. China's installations are expected to decrease to 341 GW, accounting for about 52% of the total, while the rest of the world continues to grow, with installations projected at 308 GW. However, analysts note this decline falls within the 10% margin of error for their forecast, and the global market is expected to resume growth in 2027.
2. Coal India starts accepting bids for 20 MW floating solar plant
Coal India Limited has issued a tender for a 20 MW grid-connected floating solar power plant to be built at Chilwa Taal in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The project is being tendered on a "turnkey" basis, covering design, procurement, construction, and five years of operation and maintenance, with a total contract period of 72 months. The bid submission deadline is January 14, 2026. The plant requires a DC over-capacity of at least 40%.
3. Emmvee starts production at 2.5 GW solar module line in India
Indian PV manufacturer Emmvee has commenced production on a new 2.5 GW solar module line at its facility in Karnataka, increasing its total capacity to 10.3 GW. The company's revenue grew 193% year-on-year in the first half of the 2026 fiscal year. Additionally, construction has begun on its 6 GW integrated cell and module factory in Bengaluru, which has secured relevant loan approvals.
4. Sembcorp completes acquisition of 300 MW solar project in India
Singapore's Sembcorp Industries, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, has completed the 100% acquisition of the 300 MW Fatehgarh solar power plant in Rajasthan, India, for approximately SGD 246 million. The plant has been commercially operational since November 2021, transmits power via the national grid, and holds a 25-year power purchase agreement with a power distribution company in Maharashtra. Following this acquisition, Sembcorp's operational and under-construction renewable energy capacity in India exceeds 7.6 GW.
5. Masdar signs PPA for 200 MW floating solar project in Malaysia
A consortium led by Abu Dhabi's Masdar has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Malaysia's national utility for a 200 MW floating solar project to be built at the Chenderoh Dam. The project, part of Malaysia's fifth round of the Large Scale Solar program, involves an investment exceeding USD 208 million. Upon commissioning, it will become Southeast Asia's largest such facility and Masdar's first project in Malaysia, supporting the implementation of a bilateral 10 GW renewable energy roadmap.
6. Korean bank backs Guam’s largest solar project
The Export-Import Bank of Korea will provide USD 241 million in financing for the 132 MW solar plus 325 MWh storage Yona project in Guam. The project, to be built and operated by a Korean consortium, is backed by a 25-year PPA and will generate 22.2 GWh annually. Expected to be completed in 2028, it will become Guam's largest solar facility, aiding its renewable energy development.
7. Zambia opens solar-plus-storage tender
Zambia's National Energy Corporation has launched a tender to build a 2 MW solar power plant paired with 4 MWh of storage in each of the country's 156 constituencies, as part of the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative. Projects will utilize existing substations for rapid advancement. The winning bidder will be responsible for the entire construction process and commissioning. Global firms are eligible to participate, with expressions of interest due by December 24. Zambia's current solar capacity is 391.7 MW; another 25 MW solar tender was launched earlier this month.
8. Mexico approves 2.4 GW of solar projects
Mexico's Ministry of Energy has approved 20 new renewable energy projects, comprising 15 solar projects (2,471 MW) and 5 wind projects (894 MW), totaling 3,320 MW. Approved under the October private investment decree, this marks the end of a six-year industry stagnation during the previous administration. Projects will be commissioned in phases between 2027 and 2029, injecting momentum into the energy transition.
9. Solar and storage program forecast to save all Massachusetts ratepayers $313 million per year
A study shows that if Massachusetts achieves its solar and storage installation targets through the SMART 3.0 incentive program, it could save the state's electricity ratepayers USD 313 million annually by 2030. These savings stem primarily from solar PV and storage reducing wholesale electricity market prices with near-zero marginal costs, particularly during winter by significantly reducing reliance on expensive natural gas. The program employs an annual adjustment mechanism for more flexible project development support, aiding the state's climate goals.
10. Hungary to host 450 MW solar plant using back-contact modules
European contractor Solarpro is constructing a 450 MW solar PV plant in Heves County, Hungary, which will become the country's largest solar facility. It will utilize back-contact cell modules supplied by LONGi Green Energy (Hi-MO 9). The project is expected to generate about 470 GWh annually, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 415,000 tonnes per year. Upon completion, it will be Europe's largest PV plant using back-contact technology.
11. Irish solar rises in 2025 as government plans €18.9 billion of grid upgrades
Ireland's solar power generation increased in the first nine months of 2025, with average monthly utility-scale generation rising from 0.73 TWh in 2024 to 0.99 TWh. Concurrently, the government unveiled its "PR6" plan, involving an EUR 18.9 billion investment in grid upgrades from 2026 to 2030. This aims to support renewable energy grid integration, meet new electricity demand from sources like data centers, and ensure power supply security.
12. Dutch regulator finds grid fees for rooftop solar are reasonable
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, after investigation, has ruled that the grid fees charged by energy suppliers to residential PV users are currently reasonable. The agency found supplier costs to be similar, but billing methods for users were inconsistent. Therefore, it mandates that from January 1, 2026, standard contracts must charge a uniform fee per kilowatt-hour of electricity fed into the grid, facilitating consumer comparison. It also reminded users that self-consumption will become more economically advantageous after the net metering policy ends in 2027.
13. Financing secured for 134 MW solar project in North Macedonia
North Macedonia's state-owned power company, ESM, has secured an EUR 87 million financing package for the construction of the 134 MW Bitola 3 solar PV plant. Located on the site of a depleted coal mine, it will become the country's largest solar asset upon completion, with expected annual generation of about 180 GWh. Financing is provided jointly by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and KfW Development Bank, supporting North Macedonia's energy transition and emission reduction goals.
14. European Energy switches on 148 MW of solar in Denmark
Denmark's European Energy has connected the 148 MW Glejbjerg solar PV plant in southern Denmark to the grid ahead of schedule. Expected to generate 133 GWh annually, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 33,000 local households, the plant shares the same grid connection point as the company's operational 175 MW Holsted solar plant, creating potential for future energy storage integration. Denmark's cumulative installed PV capacity exceeded 4 GW by the end of 2024.
15. Romania’s Electrica opens two solar tenders
Romanian utility group Electrica has launched two solar tenders. The first is for the 62.5 MW Satu Mare 3 project in Satu Mare, northwestern Romania, with a bid deadline of February 17, 2026. The second is for a 77.6 MW solar PV project, requiring the winning bidder to also construct a substation, fencing, and behind-the-meter storage. Its bid deadline is February 12, 2026. Both projects are in the "ready-to-build" stage and are being tendered by a wholly-owned Electrica subsidiary.
16. European Energy secures approval for 1.1 GW of solar in Australia
European Energy has received approval from the Gladstone Regional Council in Queensland, Australia, to construct the 1.1 GW Upper Calliope solar farm. It will become the largest PV project in Australia's National Electricity Market, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and annual generation of about 2.8 TWh. The project has a 25-year power purchase agreement with Rio Tinto, with all electricity to be used for the company's local industrial operations.