Spain's Offshore Solar Potential Assessed at 6.48 GW
On June 15, the University of A Coruna released the first systematic assessment of Spain's floating offshore photovoltaic potential. Using maritime spatial planning (POEM) analysis, the coastline could accommodate 4.45 to 6.48 GW of floating offshore PV, enough to cover 6.2% to 9% of national electricity demand. The study noted that seawater cooling effects could boost power generation by 10.2%, and recommended incorporating offshore solar into marine planning regulations to complement offshore wind.
Illinois Reclaimed Coal Mine Transformed into Community Solar Project Serving 650 Households
On June 17, Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy completed two community solar facilities on a reclaimed coal mine site in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois, providing clean electricity to 650 local households. The project demonstrates a model case of brownfield redevelopment combined with distributed solar energy deployment.
CGN Begins Construction of World's Largest Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Qinghai
On June 17, China General Nuclear (CGN) commenced construction of the world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Qinghai Province. The project features a solar field area of 3.7 million square meters, comprising three tower CSP fields (1.1 million sqm each) and one parabolic trough field (400,000 sqm), equipped with the world's largest molten salt thermal storage system (capacity exceeding 11.7 million kWh), enabling 24-hour continuous power generation with an estimated annual output of 1 billion kWh. Upon completion, it will save 320,000 tonnes of standard coal and reduce CO2 emissions by 860,000 tonnes annually. China's CSP costs have halved over the past decade to approximately RMB 15,000/kW.
Egypt's Obelisk Solar-Plus-Storage Phase II Nears Commissioning, Total Capacity 1.125 GW
On June 15, Scatec ASA's Obelisk solar-plus-storage project Phase II (564 MW PV) approached commissioning for summer 2026. Phase I is already operational with 561 MW PV plus 100 MW/200 MWh storage, bringing total PV capacity to approximately 1.125 GW upon completion, making it Africa's largest integrated solar-plus-storage project. Total investment reaches USD 590 million, with a 25-year USD-denominated sovereign-guaranteed PPA signed with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). Egypt's National Bank acquired a 20% economic interest in May 2026.
SECI and Mahagenco Sign 5 GW Renewable Energy Development Agreement
On June 19, India's Solar Energy Corporation (SECI) signed a memorandum of understanding with MahaGenco Renewable Energy Limited, the renewable energy subsidiary of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company, to jointly develop and construct up to 5 GW of renewable and emerging clean energy projects encompassing solar, wind, and energy storage.
NTPC REL Announces EPC Award for 250 MW Solar Plus 200 MWh Storage
On June 16, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited announced the EPC tender award results for its 250 MW PV plus 50 MW/200 MWh (4-hour) battery storage project in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The tender was issued in January 2026, with the storage power ratio set at 20% of PV capacity, marking significant progress in India's integrated solar-plus-storage development.
NTPC REL Issues 240 MW/960 MWh Storage Tender for Rajasthan
On June 19, NTPC REL issued an EPC tender for a 240 MW/960 MWh (4-hour) ISTS-connected battery energy storage system for its Devikot solar project in Rajasthan, with a bid deadline of July 13, 2026. The project integrates storage with solar generation to enhance grid stability and renewable energy absorption capacity.
Convalt Energy to Build 3.6 GW Solar Manufacturing Campus in New Mexico
On June 17, Convalt Energy signed a purchase agreement with Gallup Land Partners to build a 2.5-million-square-foot solar manufacturing campus in Gallup, New Mexico, planning 3.6 GW of HJT cell and module production capacity, 900 MW of module assembly capacity, plus 1 GW of captive solar generation, with a total investment of USD 5 billion.
China's Pumped Storage Industry to Add Approximately 100 GW During 15th Five-Year Plan, Leading Globally
On June 17, according to the Pumped Storage Industry Development Report 2025, China is projected to add approximately 100 GW of pumped storage capacity during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), averaging over 20 GW annually. As of end-2025, China's installed pumped storage reached 51 GW, ranking first globally, with the Fengning pumped storage station (the world's largest) fully operational. Targets stand at 120 GW by 2030 and over 400 GW by 2035. The 15th Five-Year Plan shifts project layout from eastern load centers to coordinated development across central and western renewable-rich regions, focusing on breakthroughs in large variable-speed units and digital intelligent technologies.
FRV Secures 2.3 GW Grid Capacity in Germany for Solar and Storage Projects
On June 17, Spanish developer FRV (part of Jameel Energy) secured 2.3 GW of transmission grid connection capacity in Germany for developing battery energy storage systems (BESS), solar PV, and hybrid projects, reaching ready-to-build (RTB) status from 2026 to 2029. Key projects include 750 MW storage in Brandenburg (imminent approval), approximately 700 MW portfolio in Lower Saxony, and a 900 MW/3,600 MWh storage project in North Rhine-Westphalia. Given that grid access has become the decisive bottleneck for large-scale renewable and storage projects in Germany, this move carries strategic significance.
Southeast Europe's Solar Boom Exposes Grid Bottlenecks as Storage Races to Catch Up
On June 15, at the Re-Source Southeast 2026 conference in Sofia, industry leaders noted that rapid solar capacity growth in Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania has led to rising curtailment rates, grid congestion, and regulatory bottlenecks. Battery energy storage systems are being deployed at an accelerating pace but still lag behind solar expansion. Southeast Europe possesses conditions that enhance storage value — strong solar growth, prominent grid constraints, evening price peaks, and hydropower volatility.
UK National Grid Upgrades Critical Transmission Line in Southern England
In June, National Grid launched a major overhaul of the 40-kilometer transmission corridor between Mannington in Dorset and Nursling near Southampton in southern England, contracted to Balfour Beatty. The project involves conductor replacement (reconductoring) and structural steel refurbishment of 115 transmission towers, scheduled from June to November 2026. The upgrade aims to enhance network resilience, address future electricity demand growth, and support the electrification transition in transportation and heating. The project forms part of National Grid's broader GBP 1.2 billion overhead line upgrade program.
Aukera Energises 150 MW First Phase of Gura Storage Project in Romania
On June 15, Aukera Energy energised the first 150 MW phase of the Gura battery storage project in Ialomita County, Romania, with a total planned capacity of 250 MW/500 MWh. The second 100 MW phase is expected to be completed by end-2026. The project is among Romania's largest battery storage facilities, funded by Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) — the largest PNRR-funded project to date — achieving grid connection just 12 months from ready-to-build status. Aukera has an additional 800 MW pipeline in Romania expected to enter construction within 6 to 9 months.
India Needs 10 GWh of Storage to Prevent Renewable Energy Curtailment
On June 17, energy think tank Ember's analysis report showed that India curtailed approximately 2.1 TWh of solar and wind power in fiscal year 2025-26 (1.3% of total renewable generation), as coal power must maintain minimum technical output during midday solar peaks. The report estimates that just 10 GWh of battery storage would be sufficient to absorb midday surplus solar and completely eliminate curtailment. India's total installed PV capacity has reached approximately 154 GW, with about 24 GW added between October 2025 and April 2026.
Europe Expects 20% Electricity Demand Growth, Storage Becomes Key Flexibility Resource
On June 15, EU planning scenarios indicate that with accelerating electrification, electricity demand will rise significantly by 2050, with battery storage identified as a critical flexibility and system balancing technology alongside hydrogen. The forecasts emphasize that grid upgrades and storage deployment must advance in parallel to address demand growth.
El Nino to Reshape Global Solar Resource Distribution
On June 19, Solcast (a DNV company) reported that the developing El Nino phenomenon in 2026 will alter global solar irradiance distribution — India, eastern Australia, parts of Africa, and Central America are expected to see increased solar resources, while South America and East Asia may experience reductions. PV operators are advised to adjust generation forecasts accordingly.