GF Energy Commissions 1 GW Desert Wind-Solar-Storage Base in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia
On July 16, the 1 GW GF Energy Chifeng desert wind-solar-storage base was connected to the grid with a total investment of RMB 3.35 billion. The project comprises 150 MW of solar, 850 MW of wind, and integrates storage with ecological restoration. It is a national third-phase 'desert-Gobi-wasteland' large-scale renewable base project.
Sungrow Ranks First in First Global BESS Integrator Ranking as Annual Installations Top 100 GW
On July 14, Wood Mackenzie published its first global BESS integrator ranking, with Sungrow ranking first. The report also showed global annual BESS installations surpassing 100 GW for the first time, marking a new phase of large-scale deployment for the storage industry.
First Grid-Side Battery Storage Station Commissioned in Shaoxing, Zhejiang
On July 9, the 50 MW/100 MWh Jiangbin BESS project in Shaoxing's Binhai New Area was connected to the grid with an investment of approximately RMB 149 million. Using LFP battery technology, it can complete annual charge-discharge cycles of approximately 66 GWh, saving 13,000 tonnes of standard coal and reducing CO2 by over 40,000 tonnes annually.
Xinjiang Burqin 1,400 MW Pumped Storage Plant Begins Upper Reservoir Excavation
On July 16, the excavation of the upper reservoir inlet-outlet at the Burqin pumped storage plant (1,400 MW) commenced, marking the start of main civil works. It is Xinjiang's first approved GW-scale pumped hydro project during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, tasked with peak shaving and storage for the northern Xinjiang grid.
Shanxi Huadian Puxian 1,200 MW Pumped Storage Plant Invites Smart Construction Bids
In July, Shanxi Huadian tendered the smart construction contract for the Puxian pumped storage plant (1,200 MW, 4x300 MW units), scheduled for end-July 2026 groundbreaking with completion by end-2031. Located in Linfen, it is a Class 1 large project that will enhance Shanxi grid peaking capacity.
Shaanxi-Anhui +/-800 kV UHV DC Transmission Project Commissioned
On July 15, the Shaanxi-Anhui +/-800 kV UHV DC project was commissioned, running 1,055 km from Yan'an, Shaanxi to Hefei, Anhui with a rated capacity of 8,000 MW and total investment of RMB 20.5 billion. It will transmit over 36 billion kWh annually to Anhui (over 50% renewable), supported by 11 GW of new renewable capacity.
Lesotho Breaks Ground on 50 MW Phase II of Ha-Ramarothole Solar Project
On July 14, Lesotho broke ground on Phase II (50 MW) of the Ha-Ramarothole Solar Power Project, bringing total capacity to 80 MW. Phase I (30 MW) has already generated 170 million kWh. The China-backed project will reduce Lesotho's annual electricity import costs by approximately $56 million and create over 1,000 local jobs.
New Zealand's Largest Solar Farm Tauhei 202 MW Connects to Grid
On July 18, Harmony Energy's 202 MW Tauhei solar farm in Waikato was connected to the grid, covering 182 hectares and employing 350 workers at peak. Sheep continue to graze beneath the panels in an agrivoltaic model. A 10-year PPA has been signed with Meridian Energy.
Germany Installs 7.4 GW of Solar PV in H1 2026, Cumulative Reaches 125.2 GW
On July 15, Germany added approximately 1.28 GW of new PV capacity in June, bringing the H1 total to 7.39 GW (rooftop 493.8 MW, ground-mounted 572.7 MW, plug-in 51.7 MW). Cumulative solar capacity reached 125.2 GW, maintaining Germany's lead in Europe.
Malaysia Launches LSS6 Tender: 2,500 MW Solar Paired with 1,250 MW Storage
On July 16, Malaysia's Ministry of Energy Transition announced the sixth Large Scale Solar program (LSS6) with a quota of 2,500 MW solar plus 1,250 MW BESS, the first to mandate storage pairing. The program is expected to attract RM 13-15 billion in private investment, create 15,000-20,000 jobs, and reduce CO2 by 2.6 million tonnes annually.
Bosnia's Gradiska Municipality Invites Investors for BESS and Solar Project
On July 13, Gradiska in Bosnia's Republika Srpska issued a public invitation for investors to build a BESS (minimum 45 MW) and solar park (over 20 MW), offering approximately 328,500 sqm of land. Winners must obtain construction permits within one year and complete construction within two years.
South Australia's 150 MW/300 MWh Bungama BESS Commences Commercial Operations
On July 1, Revera Energy's Bungama BESS (150 MW/300 MWh) near Port Pirie, South Australia, commenced commercial operations, supplied by Wartsila's GridSolve Quantum system. Stage 2 will expand to 250 MW/700 MWh, with Stage 3 adding a 280 MW solar farm.
ACME Commissions 240.72 MWh BESS in Rajasthan, India
On July 2, ACME Suryodaya commissioned a 240.72 MWh BESS in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, bringing its cumulative commissioned BESS capacity to 842.624 MWh. The project was grid-connected on June 30 and began commercial operations on July 2.
Switzerland Added 1.33 GW of Solar in 2025, Battery Storage Demand Jumps 70%
On July 10, Swissolar data showed Switzerland installed 1.33 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, with lithium-ion battery storage demand surging 70% year-on-year. Residential storage is the main growth driver, signaling an accelerating shift from pure solar to solar-plus-storage in the country.