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Regional Updates
Enervis erwartet Zunahme negativer Strompreisstunden in Deutschland bis 2034
Enervis reports that 28% of potential photovoltaic generation in Germany occurred during negative electricity market prices in the first five months of 2025, a significant increase from 18% in the previous year. The analysis predicts a continued rise in negative price hours, with Germany expected to peak at around 1,300 hours by 2034. The trend is attributed to rapid photovoltaic expansion and slow battery storage development, raising questions about the long-term economic viability of PV projects. Without faster battery storage deployment, market reforms, or increased demand management, this trend is likely to persist.
Austrian Battery Storage Demand Could Rise Eightfold to 8.7 GW by 2040
A comprehensive study reveals Austria's battery storage needs will increase dramatically to support its renewable energy transition. By 2040, battery storage demand is projected to rise eightfold to 8.7 GW, with electricity demand doubling to 125 TWh and flexibility needs increasing sixfold to 41 TWh. The storage capacity will be distributed across small-scale household systems (6 GW) and large-scale battery storage (2.7 GW), with Lower Austria representing the highest regional demand at 28%. The study calls for policy changes, including flexible grid tariffs, elimination of double charging for storage systems, and accelerated approval procedures to support this critical energy infrastructure expansion.
BBDF 2025: Why time is running out for standalone storage
At the Battery Business Development Forum in Frankfurt, industry experts discussed regulatory shifts in Germany that are narrowing opportunities for standalone battery storage. The German Federal Court of Justice's ruling on construction cost charges will increase project costs, pushing developers toward more complex colocated battery systems. Grid operators expressed relief as their related revenue is now secure, while investors must navigate considerable market uncertainty.
EnWG-Novelle: Energy Sharing Needs Improvements
The German government is implementing EU electricity market guidelines through an Energy Act amendment focusing on energy sharing. Renewable Energy Association (BEE) and Solar Energy Association (SFV) are calling for improvements, emphasizing the need for clear legal definitions, broader participation, and simplified regulations. Energy sharing could strengthen local value creation, increase social acceptance of energy transition, and create new participation opportunities, particularly in disadvantaged regions. However, both associations argue that the current draft falls short of creating a breakthrough for community energy projects.
Sunisus Projects Acquires Sharp's Solar Project Pipeline in Germany
Sunisus Projects, part of the Sunisus Group, has acquired Sharp's German photovoltaic project pipeline, comprising six solar park projects totaling around 200 megawatts across multiple federal states. The acquisition, part of Sharp's strategic exit from the European solar market, includes projects in various development stages. CEO Adeel Y. Khan highlighted the strategic importance of expanding their project rights pipeline and securing attractive development projects with high market potential. Sunisus plans to further develop these projects, bring them to construction readiness, or collaborate with partners, focusing on grid connection, land quality, and regulatory security.
EnBW realisiert 80 Megawatt-Solarpark günstiger als geplant
EnBW has completed an 80 MW solar park in Langenenslingen, Baden-Württemberg, at approximately 10% below projected costs. The project, which took five years from planning to grid connection, features 146,016 solar modules and was built without state subsidies. The company invested in environmental measures, planting 750 additional shrubs and trees and creating 30 ponds. The municipality will benefit from tax revenues and a potential annual six-figure income based on electricity feed-in.
Germany's Offshore Wind Roll-Out Stalls in H1, Lobbies Want Auction Design Reforms
Germany's offshore wind capacity remained unchanged at 9.2 GW in the first half of 2025, with industry groups urging government reforms to boost expansion. Despite a 2030 target of 30 GW and a 2045 goal of 70 GW, the sector needs improved auction designs, Europe-wide revenue models, and longer project horizons. The country aims to derive 80% of power from renewables by 2030, currently at 54%, with offshore wind contributing 5% of the renewable mix.
1GW Baltic Sea Wind Farm Set to Get Siemens Turbines
Skyborn Renewables has signed a deal with Siemens Gamesa for 63 SG 14-236 offshore wind turbines for the Gennaker project in the Baltic Sea. Located near the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula in Germany, the wind farm will begin installation in early 2028 and is expected to supply renewable electricity to nearly 1 million German homes. Siemens will provide service and maintenance support for the project's lifetime, with their joint portfolio now surpassing 3 GW of clean energy capacity.
Qualitas Energy acquires 51 MW wind energy pipeline in Germany
Qualitas Energy has acquired three wind energy projects in Germany with a current capacity of 17.6 MW, planning to replace existing turbines with eight modern ones to increase total capacity to 51 MW. The investment will enable clean energy supply to over 34,000 households, demonstrating the company's commitment to repowering existing wind assets. Co-CEO Johannes Overbeck emphasized their goal of collaborating with wind farm operators to efficiently transition assets and maximize contributions to the energy transition.
Global Roundup
(Stories relevant to multiple regions)PPA: Growing Photovoltaic Sector, More Risks with Negative Prices
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market shows mixed trends in Europe, with Italy experiencing a remarkable 184% growth in solar PV contracts in the first half of 2025. Overall contract volumes and individual agreements have declined, but utility interest remains strong. The average contract price in June was 49.6 euros/MWh, with increasing concerns about potential negative price risks in the renewable energy market.
Endurance y Kenergy crean una joint-venture para desarrollar 800 MWh en plantas BESS Stand-Alone
Endurance Motive and Kenergy have formed a joint venture to develop two battery storage parks in Catalonia, each with 64 MWh capacity and 16 MW installed power. Using lithium LFP batteries produced in Endurance's plant, the partnership aims to co-develop at least 800 MWh of standalone BESS plants, with potential hybridization of Kenergy's project pipeline in Spain and Mexico. The companies have secured a guarantee line through broker BMS to support their collaborative efforts.
Cancelled and Postponed Green Hydrogen Projects
Major companies across Europe, Australia, the United States, and Asia are scaling back green hydrogen investments due to high production costs and weak demand. Notable cancellations include ArcelorMittal shelving a €2.5 billion plant in Germany, Iberdrola reducing its 2030 production target by two-thirds, and multiple Australian companies like Woodside Energy and Fortescue cutting back hydrogen project plans. These setbacks signal significant challenges in the green hydrogen sector, potentially threatening global emissions reduction targets.
Green Hydrogen Developers Retreat, Raising Fossil Fuel Dependence Concerns
Green hydrogen projects are being cancelled worldwide due to high costs and lack of demand, with only about 20% of planned EU hydrogen projects likely to launch by 2030. Companies like EDP and Iberdrola are shelving expansion plans, citing prohibitively expensive production and insufficient buyers. The sector faces significant challenges, including green hydrogen being three times more expensive than natural gas, making it economically unviable for industries like steel manufacturing. Experts suggest green hydrogen is unlikely to become competitive for 10-15 years, potentially delaying global emissions reduction efforts.
Europe's Hydrogen Infrastructure Faces 2-3 Year Delay, Enagas CEO Says
Spanish gas grid operator Enagas expects delays of two to three years in deploying hydrogen infrastructure across Europe, despite planning a 2,600 km hydrogen network in Spain by 2030. The company remains a strong supporter of green hydrogen and plans to invest over 4 billion euros by decade's end, with the goal of connecting to the trans-European H2Med corridor linking the Iberian region with northwest Europe.
EU delays battery due diligence requirement
The European Council has postponed implementation of battery due diligence obligations until August 18, 2027, providing battery producers and exporters more preparation time. Under Regulation 2023/1542, companies will need to report on due diligence practices, including waste management and supply chain details for critical materials like cobalt, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel. This delay is part of broader EU efforts to support industrial competitiveness and reduce regulatory complexity.
Indian PV companies among targets of new AD/CVD petition launched in US
The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade has filed antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) petitions against Chinese and Indian solar manufacturers operating in Indonesia, Laos, and India. The petitioners, including First Solar and Qcells, allege illegal trade practices and dumping margins ranging from 89.65% to 245.79%, which they claim threaten the US solar manufacturing sector. This marks the first time Indian manufacturers have been targeted, following recent expansions in their cell and module manufacturing capacity. The investigation could take around one year to complete, potentially resulting in significant tariffs on solar products from these countries.
Project Buy-Sell Announcements: KGAL, Baywa re and Dominion
KGAL Investment Management acquired a 60.5 MWp solar park in Andalusia for the Software AG Foundation, developed by Baywa re with a 10-year power purchase agreement. Meanwhile, Dominion sold six photovoltaic parks in the Dominican Republic to investment funds managed by Pioneer Funds and JMMB Funds, valued at over $375 million, with a transaction price of $1.17 million per MWp. The sale involves 321 MWp of solar assets across different operational stages, generating significant cash flow for Dominion.
Global average solar LCOE stood at $0.043/kWh in 2024, says IRENA
IRENA's latest report reveals the global weighted average levelized cost of electricity for utility-scale solar plants was $0.043/kWh in 2024, a slight 0.6% increase from 2023. Solar remains the second most affordable power generation source after onshore wind. The global weighted average total installed cost of utility-scale solar projects fell by 11% to $691/kW, driven by module and inverter cost reductions. Solar photovoltaics were 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives, with 91% of new renewable capacity delivering lower-cost power in 2024.
Historic wind drought sends utilities scrambling for new kind of cover
Global warming is causing less reliable wind power, with a historic wind drought this year significantly impacting major utilities like RWE. This has sparked increased interest in weather derivatives as a tool to hedge against unpredictable wind conditions, highlighting the growing financial risks in renewable energy generation.