During the period from April 16th to 22th, 2026, the following international news occurred:
1. Jinko Power enters data center business with 1 GW project in China
Jinko Power has signed a framework agreement with the Zhongwei municipal government in Ningxia, planning to invest approximately 24.5 billion yuan (US$3.4 billion) to build a 1 GW data centre, deploying 50,000 racks in three phases, as it moves into the green computing sector. The project is part of China's "East Data, West Computing" initiative and remains subject to regulatory approvals and financing. The Shanghai Stock Exchange has issued a regulatory letter regarding the funding sources and rationale for this cross-sector move.
2. Philippines adds 899 MW of solar in 2025
According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Philippines added 899 MW of new solar capacity in 2025, bringing cumulative capacity to 3.9 GW. Ground-mounted projects dominate, with the Green Energy Auction (GEA) programme having allocated over 10 GW of projects. The Terra Solar project, currently under construction, will reach 3.5 GW of PV paired with 4.5 GWh of storage, making it one of the largest solar-storage plants in the world. The government is simplifying net metering procedures.
3. Bangladesh opens public land to utility-scale solar under PPP model
The Bangladeshi government has introduced a new policy allowing the use of public institution land for utility-scale solar projects developed under a public-private partnership model, with the Power Development Board serving as the contracting party. The move aims to ease land constraints for private developers and help achieve the 2030 target of 10 GW of solar capacity. The country currently generates approximately 1,441 MW of solar power.
4. Kosol Energie completes 142 MW solar project for Coal India
Kosol Energie has completed a 142 MW ground-mounted PV plant for Coal India in Gujarat, using n-type TOPCon bifacial modules with POE encapsulation technology. The project, located in the Desa region of Banaskantha district, was completed in just nine months from taking over a partially unfinished state, and is expected to create local jobs in operations, maintenance, and security.
5. Bangladesh launches tenders for 77.6 MW of solar
The Bangladesh Power Development Board has tendered three solar projects with a total capacity of 77.6 MW, located in Chittagong (50 MW), Rangamati (7.6 MW), and Dinajpur (20 MW), to be developed on a turnkey basis. The projects will be funded through BPDB's own resources and the Power Sector Development Fund. The country aims to achieve 10 GW of solar capacity by 2030.
6. Saudi Arabia launches qualification process for 12 GWh of battery storage projects
The Saudi Power Procurement Company has launched the prequalification process for its second batch of battery storage projects, comprising six 500 MW/2,000 MWh projects totalling 12 GWh, all to be developed under a build-own-operate model, with each project providing four hours of storage. Bids are due by 5 May 2026. Saudi Arabia plans to achieve 48 GWh of battery storage capacity by 2030. It has previously completed and connected 7.8 GWh of storage projects in the southern region.
7. Solar rebound effect could raise Europe’s electricity demand 5% by 2050
A study by the University of Hagen in Germany has found that the solar rebound effect (increased household electricity consumption after installing solar panels) could drive up European electricity demand by up to 5.1% (314 TWh) by 2050, adding €6.7 billion to €23.5 billion annually in system costs. Current official energy plans do not account for this effect, and the study calls for policies to shift electricity use to daylight hours and enhance grid flexibility.
8. European electricity prices increase despite falling gas prices
Despite a decline in TTF natural gas futures prices, average weekly electricity prices in most major European markets rose last week, with Italy reaching the highest at €123.19/MWh. Spain, France, and Portugal set new single-day solar generation records for April on 17 April, at 213 GWh, 145 GWh, and 26 GWh respectively. AleaSoft expects electricity prices to fall this week.
9. First PV plant operating in Poland’s balancing market
Poland's 204 MW Zwartowo PV plant has become the country's first large-scale solar project authorised to participate in the balancing market. Due to stringent access requirements, the qualification process took approximately 14 months. According to estimates, participation in the balancing market can generate up to 10% in additional short-term revenue for PV assets, while reducing curtailment and improving grid stability.
10. PV curtailment exceeds 3.8% in Spain over past nine months
Spain's average photovoltaic curtailment rate over the past nine months was 3.83%, but regional variations are significant, exceeding 37% in Badajoz province. Curtailment is primarily due to insufficient grid capacity, system security requirements, and market surplus. Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha have the highest curtailment rates, while Andalusia, despite its large installed capacity, has a relatively low curtailment rate. Researchers have developed the GenerApp tool to assess curtailment risk at specific grid connection points.
11. Dutch buildings could host 36 GW of façade solar capacity
A report by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency shows that the technical potential for solar on building facades in the country is 36 GW, but current deployment is less than 0.1%. Façade solar is primarily suited for buildings with limited or fully utilised roof space, as well as landmark buildings where design aesthetics are important. High costs, regulatory complexity, and lower generation efficiency constrain its large-scale adoption.
12. UK solar generation hits record 15 GW as gas falls to historic low
On 23 April, solar generation in the UK exceeded 15 GW, reaching a record high and accounting for 42% of total generation at that time. On the same day, a record was also set for zero-carbon generation, which reached 98.8%. In response to the risk of excess electricity this summer due to increased solar output, the grid operator has upgraded its demand-side flexibility service to a two-way model, encouraging users to increase electricity consumption when supply exceeds demand.
13. Community-scale solar offers $6.5 billion in savings, bypassing California gridlocks
According to a report by Pathfinder Communications, community-scale solar and storage projects can bypass transmission grid congestion in California, reducing out-of-state electricity imports by 13%. Deploying 5.4 GW of such projects would require an investment of US$3.2 billion, but could save US$4.2 billion in electricity costs and US$4.6 billion in resource adequacy costs, while reducing transmission grid dependence by 2% and greenhouse gas emissions by 1.8%.
14. California powers its massive water pumps with 105 MW solar project
The California Department of Water Resources and Calpine have commissioned the 105 MW Pastoria solar project, dedicated to powering the Edmonston Pumping Plant. The plant, which uses 14 80,000-horsepower pumps to lift water 610 metres to Southern California, is the largest electricity user in the state. The project uses 226,000 tracking photovoltaic panels and is paired with an 80 MW energy storage system, helping to achieve the 2035 carbon neutrality goal.
15. Work begins on Zambia’s largest solar-plus-storage project
London-based independent power producer Globeleq has started work on a 250 MW PV plant with a 150 MW/600 MWh storage project in Lusaka Province, Zambia, the country's largest solar-storage hybrid project. The plant will be connected to a four-hour storage system, designed to meet peak demand and improve grid stability. The project is expected to reach financial close by the end of 2026, creating 200-250 jobs during construction.
16. Botswana breaks ground on 500 MW solar-plus-storage project
Ground has been broken on a 500 MW solar project in Maun, northwestern Botswana, paired with 500 MWh of battery storage, making it one of the largest solar-storage projects in southern Africa. The project is being developed and operated by Okavango Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oman's NAQAA Sustainable Energy Company, and has signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with the state-owned electricity company, supporting Botswana's target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.
17. The world added 605 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, says IEA
A report by the International Energy Agency shows that global renewable energy additions in 2025 reached 800 GW, of which solar accounted for 605 GW. The annual increase in solar power generation reached 600 TWh, the largest single-year increase for any power source in history (excluding recovery years after crises). Battery storage additions reached 108 GW, up 40% year-on-year, with lithium iron phosphate batteries accounting for approximately 90%. The world has entered the "Age of Electricity".
18. Solar and wind take over global power growth in 2025
In 2025, new installed capacity of solar and wind was approximately six times that of all other power sources combined (coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, etc.), providing almost all new global electricity demand. Australia and several European countries led the growth. Solar and wind have become the core drivers of the global energy transition, and their combined generation is expected to match the combined generation of coal and gas by 2030.
19. Solar delivers where wind and hydro falter
According to IRENA data, between 2016 and 2025, solar capacity in the European Union grew at a compound annual rate of 17% from 91 GW to 367 GW, accounting for 80% of new renewable capacity added in 2025. However, midday electricity prices are being severely depressed, making battery storage and grid integration capabilities critical. Solar was the only technology that achieved a year-on-year increase in generation in 2025 (+69 TWh), while both wind and hydro saw declines.