During the period from July 24th to 30th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Microsoft activates 408 MW Ash Creek solar project in Texas
Primergy Solar announced the commercial operation of the 408 MW Ash Creek photovoltaic power station in Texas, which has signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Microsoft. The total investment in the project is nearly $1 billion, including $588 million in project financing and $350 million in tax equity financing. During its operational period, the project will contribute approximately $100 million in taxes to the local area and create 350 construction jobs. This is another significant project for Primergy following the 690 MW Gemini solar-plus-storage project in Nevada. Texas currently leads the U.S. with over 43.5 GW of installed photovoltaic capacity.
2. France deploys 2.76 GW of solar in H1
France added 2.76 GW of new photovoltaic capacity in the first half of 2025, a 35% year-on-year increase. Of this, 1.36 GW was added in the second quarter, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 24.85 GW. During the same period, 84 MW of grid-connected energy storage capacity was added, unchanged from 2024. Data from grid operator Enedis shows that approximately 53 MW of the new photovoltaic systems in the second quarter were equipped with energy storage facilities. France added 1.41 GW of new capacity in the first quarter, demonstrating steady growth.
3. Burkina Faso set for 150 MW solar-plus-storage project
Dutch developer Gutami Holding signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Burkina Faso's national power company, Sonabel, to develop a 150 MW photovoltaic project with 50 MWh of energy storage. The project has secured all key approvals, including licenses and land rights, and is scheduled to commence operation in 2027. Upon completion, it will become one of the largest photovoltaic projects in West Africa. According to IRENA data, Burkina Faso's installed photovoltaic capacity stood at 206 MW by the end of 2024.
4. Negative price hours rise in Europe
In the first half of 2025, the duration of negative electricity prices in European power markets hit a record high, primarily due to a surge in solar power generation after March caused by ample sunlight. Spain led with 404 hours of negative prices, while Germany saw 28% of its potential photovoltaic generation affected by negative prices, a 10-percentage-point increase from the same period in 2024. An Enervis report showed that the captured electricity prices for photovoltaics in Europe fell by 8% overall, with Southern Europe experiencing a 26% decline. As renewable energy capacity grows, Germany is projected to reach a peak of 1,300 hours of negative prices by 2034, with lagging energy storage deployment being the main cause.
5. High tariffs could cut US solar deployment 9% by 2035, says McKinsey
A recent McKinsey report stated that if the U.S. imposes a 60% tariff on Chinese photovoltaic products and a 20% tariff on those from other countries, its solar deployment could decrease by 9% (504 GW) by 2035, with energy storage deployment dropping by 4% (113 GW). Compared to the low-tariff scenario's forecast of 553 GW, high tariffs would reduce the annual growth rate from 10% to 9%. The report recommends that clean energy companies adjust their supply chain strategies to mitigate risks, projecting that clean energy will still account for 68% of the U.S. energy mix by 2035.
6. Ireland to invest €3.5 billion in electricity grid infrastructure
The Irish government announced a €3.5 billion grid investment plan, setting a record for single-item investment in the country's power infrastructure. Of this, €2 billion will be allocated to transmission operator EirGrid for building new lines and substations, while €1.5 billion will go to distribution operator ESB Networks to enhance grid resilience. The investment aims to support the goal of sourcing 80% of electricity from renewable energy by 2030, including the construction of 8 GW of photovoltaics, 9 GW of onshore wind, and 5 GW of offshore wind. The government recently approved a policy allowing enterprises to build their own grids to accelerate clean energy integration.
7. Iberdrola raises €5bn to support US and UK power networks investments
Spanish energy giant Iberdrola announced a €5 billion capital increase plan, focusing on grid investments in the U.S. and the UK. The company expects its grid assets to exceed €90 billion by 2031, with 75% located in the U.S. and UK markets. In the first half of 2025, Iberdrola's EBITDA grew by 5% to €8.3 billion, with over 60% of investments made in the U.S. The funding will support grid projects under regulatory frameworks such as New York, Maine, and the UK's RIIO-T3, with no additional financing planned before 2030.
8. US DOE terminates $4.9bn funding for critical interregional transmission line
The U.S. Department of Energy terminated a $4.9 billion loan guarantee for the Grain Belt Express high-voltage direct current transmission project, citing its "failure to meet critical conditions." The 800-mile line was originally planned to connect Kansas to Missouri, capable of transmitting 5 GW of renewable energy. Missouri's Attorney General had accused the project of abusing eminent domain, and Senator Hawley lobbied the Trump administration to withdraw support. Developer Invenergy stated that this decision would harm grid reliability and public energy cost savings.
9. Europe’s solar generation hit new heights during June heatwave
In June 2025, Western and Southern Europe experienced unusually clear weather under high-pressure systems, with photovoltaic irradiance significantly higher than usual (Greece +30%, Western Europe +10-20%). Thanks to increased irradiance and capacity growth, solar energy became Europe's top electricity source for the month for the first time. Italy set a 12-year record for June power generation, but Northern Europe saw a 10-15% drop in irradiance due to persistent frontal activity. High temperatures caused an approximate 2% efficiency loss in photovoltaic modules in Spain and other regions.
10. AleaSoft notes stability in European electricity prices
European electricity markets remained stable in the third week (July 15-21), with weekly average prices rising slightly by 0.1%-8.8% in most markets, while Belgium and the Nordic markets saw declines of 1.3% and 2.5%, respectively. France experienced a 22% surge in weekly average prices due to a spike at the start of the week, while Italy maintained the highest price at €117.87/MWh. On July 16, Spain set a new daily photovoltaic generation record of 237 GWh, and Portugal also broke its July record with 30 GWh. Analysts expect prices to decline in the fourth week as wind power increases.
11. Chinese PV Industry Brief: China passes 1.1 TW of solar despite June slowdown
In the first half of 2025, China added 212.2 GW of new photovoltaic capacity, surpassing 1.1 TW in total installed capacity. However, June saw only 14.36 GW of new additions, an 85% month-on-month decline. The national electricity market traded 2.95 PWh, with cross-regional transactions increasing by 18.2% year-on-year. Polysilicon prices rose for four consecutive weeks, with N-type material prices increasing by 12.23% weekly. GCL System Integration won a 766.6 MW module order from China Huadian for multiple photovoltaic power station projects in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan.
12. EIB invests €120m into Italian grid modernisation
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €120 million financing agreement with Italy's AGSM AIM Group for grid modernization in Vicenza, Verona, and Grezzana. The funds will improve grid operational efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. AGSM AIM is a leading multi-utility company in Italy, operating across multiple energy sectors. This financing will support the local energy transition. Over the past five years, the EIB has provided over €58 billion in financing for Italian projects.