During the period from July 10rd to 16th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. PowerChina breaks ground on world’s largest power generation-side battery storage project
On June 26, construction began in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, on the world's largest power generation-side electrochemical energy storage project, with a capacity of 1 GW/6GWh, utilizing lithium iron phosphate battery technology. The project is developed by a subsidiary of PowerChina, with the joint venture overseeing design and construction. It involves an investment of 6 billion yuan and a construction period of 6 months. The project will be matched with a 1.5 GW wind power base, reducing curtailment rates of wind power by over 15% and cutting annual CO₂ emissions by 1.2 million tons. Upon completion, the facility will participate in electricity market trading, alleviate bottlenecks in "West-to-East Power Transmission," stabilize the grid, advance clean energy transition, and generate employment and tax revenue.
2. Australia grants major project status to 6 GW power export plan
The Australian government has renewed major project status for SunCable's Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink). The project plans to develop 6 GW of solar energy capacity and supporting energy storage in the Northern Territory, transmitting electricity to Darwin and Singapore via high-voltage submarine cables, with a total investment exceeding AUD 40 billion, and the investment decision is expected to be completed in 2027. This initiative aims to transform northern Australia's economy, create jobs, and expand renewable energy export markets.
3. Colombia's Ecopetrol Acquires Wind Power Project to Accelerate Renewable Energy Expansion
Colombia's national oil company Ecopetrol has acquired the 205 MW Windpeshi wind project from Enel for $50 million. The project comprises 41 turbines (5 MW each) and is expected to commence operations in 2028, generating 1,006 GWh annually—meeting 8-9% of the group's energy demand. This acquisition marks a key step in Ecopetrol's renewable energy transition, aligning with government policies to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Total development investment is projected at $350 million.
4. Malaysia Slashes Green Electricity Tariffs by 80%, Launches New Plan to Drive Energy Transition
The Malaysian government has announced a comprehensive reform of its Green Electricity Tariff (GET) pricing mechanism starting from July 2025, with maximum surcharge reductions of 80%, standardizing rates at 3-5 sen/kWh (based on contract duration). Concurrently, it introduced the GET GreenPath program, opening for subscription from August 1, 2025, targeting large consumers like data centers. The program offers independent Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) verification services for enterprises at an administrative fee of just 0.2 sen/kWh. These measures aim to reduce corporate ESG compliance costs, balance energy transition and market competitiveness, attract green investment, and strengthen Malaysia's position as a regional green energy hub.
5. Record EU solar generation helped stabilize power supply during heatwave
The EU achieved a record 45 TWh of solar power generation in June, effectively mitigating electricity supply pressures during the late June to early July heatwave. Think tank Ember's report shows the heatwave spiked Europe's daily electricity demand by 14%, driving prices above €400/MWh. Germany's solar power output peaked at 50 GW (covering 1/3 of national demand), supported by 14 GW of battery energy storage and 10 GW of pumped hydro to stabilize the grid. The report urges enhanced energy storage and demand-side management to address extreme weather events.
6. U.S. Solar Supply Chain Faces Reshaping as "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Takes Effect
The U.S. "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has officially come into force, significantly revising solar subsidy policies: Residential solar tax credits (25D) will expire by the end of 2025, while utility-scale ground-mounted solar plant (48E/45Y) will terminate early by the end of 2027. The act defines "prohibited foreign entities" and restricts relevant enterprises from obtaining tax benefits. Solar-storage hybrid projects gain competitive advantage as their energy storage components remain eligible for 30% tax credits. This policy shift is expected to trigger a residential solar installation rush in late 2025 and accelerate the restructuring of the U.S. solar supply chain toward localization and compliance.
7. Canadian developer plans 1 GW solar park in Argentina
Canada's Aisa Group plans to invest $600 million to build a 1 GW solar park in Argentina's San Juan Province. The project will be implemented in phases: the initial 50 MW phase will supply power to the Gualcamayo mining area, and subsequent phases will expand the capacity and construct a 500 kV high-voltage line to connect to the national grid. The project has applied for Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Program (RIGI), which, if approved, would grant 30-year tax and tariff benefits. Upon completion, it will become Argentina's largest solar project, surpassing the current 300 MW Cauchari plant.
8. Solar curtailment on the rise in Poland
Poland's renewable energy curtailment reached 590 GWh in the first five months of 2025, marking a 36% year-on-year increase, with solar farms accounting for the largest share. Grid operator PSE primarily enforces output restrictions on large-scale PV systems connected to medium- and high-voltage networks, while compensation claims face slow processing and low payouts. Analysts warn that persistent curtailment is pushing some solar plants toward financial distress. Following last year's 4 GW of new PV installations, Poland's cumulative solar capacity now stands at 21 GW.
9. China on track to deploy 380 GW of PV in 2025
A State Grid Energy Research Institute report indicates China's renewable energy capacity will surpass 500 GW for the first time in 2025, including 380 GW of new solar PV (+35.5% YoY) and 140 GW of wind power (+77.1% YoY). As of May, cumulative wind and solar capacity reached 1.684 TW, accounting for 45.8% of total installed capacity. Annual electricity consumption is projected to exceed 10 trillion kWh (+5% YoY), driven by rising demand from data centers, 5G base stations, and other emerging loads. Ultra-high-voltage transmission projects like Qingdong, Zhongheng, and Kunyu will commence operations to enhance interregional power balance. As the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China is accelerating its energy transition, with non-fossil energy capacity reaching 58.2% of the total.
10. Solar becomes top source of electricity in California
Solar power has become California's largest electricity source for the first time, overtaking natural gas. In the 12 months ending April 2025, solar generation reached 83.1 billion kWh (33.9% share), slightly exceeding natural gas's 81.6 billion kWh (33.3%). Rapid deployment of battery storage (over 15.7 GW installed) enables daytime solar energy to shift to evening peak demand, driving an 18% year-on-year decline in gas-fired generation. Across the U.S., the proportion of solar power generation in April exceeded 10% for the first time.
11. Massive solar project progresses ahead of schedule in Philippines
Phase 1 of the Philippines' MTerra Solar project has exceeded expectations, achieving 54% completion in eight months with 778 MW of PV capacity installed (28 MW above target)—now the country's largest solar farm. The full-scale project (3.5 GW PV + 4.5 GWh storage) will become the world's largest integrated solar-storage facility upon its 2026 commissioning, including a 500 kV transmission line. Led by MGen subsidiaries with Chinese firms participating in EPC construction, it will provide clean power to 2.4 million households.
12. Zimbabwe starts construction on 10 MW solar plant
China's Sany Silicon Energy has begun construction of a 10 MW solar power plant in Zimbabwe, marking the company's first "EP+F" (Engineering, Procurement, and Financing) business model project in Africa. The facility will supply electricity to Runtu Mining Company, utilizing 710 high-efficiency PV modules, with grid connection targeted by year-end. This model reduces client financial burdens while addressing local power shortages and supporting industrial growth, advancing clean energy in emerging markets. Zimbabwe's solar capacity reached 70 MW by end-2024, with government approvals granted for 116 MW of new projects.