Middle East Energy Security: With Strait of Hormuz disruption driving “me-first energy,” the world is accelerating domestic supply and renewables—while oil and gas prices spike on renewed conflict risk. Grid & Storage: Australia’s fast-growing battery fleet is helping decouple local power prices from global shocks, and BMI warns grids are the next bottleneck for renewables unless investment and flexibility keep up. Battery Market Signals: CATL expects stationary energy storage to hit 50% of its 2030 sales, underscoring the shift from EV-only demand. Renewables Buildout in Asia & Africa: Philippines offshore wind bidders narrowed to nine for infrastructure evaluation; India’s rooftop solar keeps expanding via captive and commercial projects; and Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk as climate change makes low-output days line up. Project Finance & Policy: Italy won €23bn EU-approved state aid for renewables; Maharashtra’s BESS fight continues after APTEL challenged a post-bid condition, while the state also moved ahead with RTC renewable procurement. Local Solar for Industry: Ondo’s “Lucky Light” plan targets solar-plus-storage for 1,000 businesses, and Uttar Pradesh sees its first 15 MWp captive solar for manufacturing. Data Centers & Power: Lesotho is in talks for a 1.2GW hydropower plus AI data center project, and Equinix faces Cape Town scrutiny over water and environmental impacts.