AGP Executive Report

Budget Push for Clean Fuels (India): Kerala earmarked INR 100 crore in its 2026-27 revised budget for renewable energy, green hydrogen and related alternative-fuel work, aiming to build a green-fuel ecosystem and expand storage. Household Solar Scale-Up (India): West Bengal’s 2026-27 budget targets installing 200,000 rooftop solar systems under PM Surya Ghar, with INR 100 crore allocated plus extra support for SC/ST families and a push toward open access. Grid-Scale Storage (Cyprus): Cyprus signed first contracts for 120MW of centralized battery storage to cut solar curtailment, with delivery starting in 2027. Microgrids for Energy Independence (US): Two solar microgrids are being developed for a Northern California tribal community to boost resiliency and reduce costs, with excess power planned for grid sharing. Hydropower & Solar Pipeline (Balkans): Republika Srpska’s energy minister outlined plans for a new Bileca hydro plant and additional large solar projects. Nuclear Revival (Canada): Canada unveiled a strategy to support up to 10 new large reactors and advance next-gen options like microreactors for remote power needs. Energy Security Under Strain (Fiji): Fiji’s utility warned low dam levels and higher fuel costs are tightening supply as dry conditions loom. Solar Market Outlook (Global): SolarPower Europe flagged a first global solar contraction in two decades, largely tied to China policy shifts.

Grid reliability alarms in the Philippines: Cebu business groups are pushing for urgent power fixes after frequent interruptions threaten manufacturing output and raise costs across the Visayas. Renewables curtailment to end in Sri Lanka: The National System Operator says forced solar and wind shutdowns should stop next year as battery storage projects come online, while regulators move ahead on renewable tariff setting. Hydropower tariff process in Pakistan: NEPRA has scheduled a public hearing for a 300MW Balakot hydropower project, with a proposed 30-year tariff under review. Transmission upgrades for cleaner power in New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul says the Smart Path Connect HVDC-linked corridor is complete, designed to move more renewable energy and cut congestion costs. Solar-as-income in India: Telangana is launching a 100kW agrivoltaics pilot using elevated bifacial panels and AI monitoring to let farmers grow crops while earning from electricity. Green hydrogen milestone in Nepal: Jhimruk hydropower has started producing green hydrogen via a 50kW plant, aiming to cut fossil dependence. Battery momentum in Australia: Home batteries are surging—about one in 25 households—helping households store rooftop solar and displace gas-fired generation. Education and workforce pipeline: A Tri-Cities STEM academy is giving students hands-on exposure to local energy careers, starting with hydropower. CSP breakthrough in China: Qinghai’s large single-unit concentrated solar power project highlights dispatchable solar with long thermal storage.

Grid Storage Push (Cyprus): Cyprus will sign contracts for its first centralized electricity storage systems, targeting 120 MW of battery capacity by summer 2027 to cut solar curtailment when demand can’t absorb midday PV. Tariff Reform (Nepal): Nepal is preparing a new electricity tariff structure with seasonal pricing—cheaper in the rainy season to boost hydropower consumption, higher in the dry season when imports rise. Island Power Upgrade (Sri Lanka): Delft, Nainativu and Analaitivu are set for 24/7 supply via an India-funded hybrid microgrid, replacing costly diesel generation with solar and wind. Offshore Wind Setback (US): The Trump administration paid Invenergy $765 million to terminate four offshore wind leases, continuing a pattern of buyouts after legal and political resistance. Solar for Industry (Bangladesh): Asian Paints Bangladesh commissioned an 850 kWp rooftop solar plant at its National SEZ site, aiming to cut emissions and improve energy efficiency. Wind Procurement (India): NTPC REL floated bids for 813 MW of wind in Karnataka, seeking 271 turbines plus 10 years of O&M. Corporate Clean-Energy Expansion (India): Reliance outlined a major roadmap for renewables, green hydrogen, batteries and alternative fuels to reduce import dependence. Battery Manufacturing (Brazil): BYD plans up to $98 million to add grid-scale BESS production in Brazil, tied to the country’s upcoming storage auction. Transmission Market Reform (China): China completed its first market-based transmission rights trade, enabling cross-region power flows based on supply-demand value.

Solar Expansion: Tripura targets 11 MW of new solar in 2026-27, with TREDA pushing installations across block and village offices. Renewables Finance & Build-Out: GS E&C and I Squared Capital plan a Korea joint venture to secure up to 1.5 GW of solar plus battery storage by 2035. Grid & Market Stress: Asia’s renewable surge is outpacing risk management, with insurers becoming more selective amid climate volatility, supply chain shocks, and changing subsidies. Hydropower Watch: KP’s PEDO says multiple hydropower projects are in final stages, while Nepal’s NEA orders under-construction hydropower firms to submit progress reports every four months. Energy Access via Solar Models: Oman’s “Imtidad” launches June 23 with its first community solar station, letting subscribers earn bill credits without rooftop installs. Corporate Solar in Industry: Daystar Power installs nearly 6.9 MW of solar across Nestlé sites in West Africa, and Titan Egypt signs an 11.45 MW solar PPA for Beni Suef Cement. Policy Pressure on Fossil Fuels: Bangladesh civil society warns most budget support still favors fossil fuels and urges far higher annual renewable investment to hit 2030 targets. Data Center Backlash: Utah and other communities raise concerns about water use, power costs, and heat/noise from new data centers.

Solar & Storage Innovation: Fraunhofer ISE says it hit a 34.4% solar module efficiency record at Intersolar Europe 2026, while WattCycle unveiled a balcony plug-in battery claiming up to 10 kWh storage and 5 kW bidirectional output. Grid Reliability: A new look at India’s “renewable future” warns blackouts will hinge on building a resilient grid that can handle solar’s evening drop and wind variability. Renewables Safety: Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar and battery boom is outpacing safety checks, with regulators flagging risks like DC faults and installation quality. Water-Energy Link: Nairobi’s Upper Tana watershed gets a conservation push with Haleon Kenya and the Upper Tana–Nairobi Water Fund to protect nearly all of the city’s water supply and a big share of hydropower. Policy & Diplomacy: India will host BRICS energy ministers in Gurugram (June 25–26) under “Energy for All,” as energy security and resilience stay front and center. Africa Energy Security: A China-Africa energy diplomacy push frames renewables and cooperation as a shield against Gulf-driven fuel shocks. Local Solar Push: Odisha’s PM Modi announces Pahadpur as a “Solar Village,” aiming to equip every household with solar. Climate Risk Watch: Coverage highlights a possible Super El Niño returning, with knock-on risks for agriculture, power demand, and investment planning. Community Solar for Food: Kenya’s solar-powered cold storage model is helping small farmers cut spoilage and sell later, not immediately after harvest.

Climate Risk & Markets: A high-probability “Super El Nino” heading into 2027 could spike temperatures, strain crops and power demand, and add inflation pressure—forcing investors to rethink sector bets. Solar Overtakes Fossil Fuel: Asia’s solar generation has edged past gas for the first time, led by China and India as cheaper panels accelerate installs. Global Solar Surge: Ember reports worldwide solar additions jumped 33% in 2025, supplying about 75% of the growth in electricity demand. China’s Renewable Overcapacity: China’s state firms are dumping renewable assets as oversupply drives losses and forces restructuring. Grid-Scale Storage Progress: Cambodia reviewed a 500MW/1GWh battery storage EIA in Pursat, with fire-safety and monitoring plans. Community Solar Push: Oman is launching “Imtidad” community solar so subscribers get bill credits without installing panels. India Solar Village Plan: PM Modi announced Pahadpur in Odisha will become a “Solar Village,” aiming for solar power for every household. Hydropower Watch: China has entered construction on the Medog mega-dam, renewing India’s water-security concerns. Local Power Reliability: Residents in Herat, Afghanistan, report long outages and high bills, while Jamaica’s USF restored St. James community Wi-Fi using a fibre-satellite-solar mix.

Solar Village Push in India: PM Modi inaugurated and laid groundwork for ₹47,600 crore in Odisha and announced Pahadpur village in Mayurbhanj will be developed as a “Solar Village,” aiming for solar access in every household. Grid Rules Under Court Scrutiny: Karnataka High Court quashed KERC’s captive verification procedure, challenging how group captive users’ proportionality is calculated—an important signal for distributed solar project economics. Hydropower at the Center of Security: China has entered construction on the Medog (Motuo) Yarlung Tsangpo project, reviving India’s water-security concerns and accelerating India’s own 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose push. Renewables for Reliability Abroad: A New Jersey nonprofit’s Puerto Rico documentary spotlights solar-powered generators for families still battling fragile grid outages after Hurricane Maria. Community Solar in Oman: Oman’s PSRA-backed “Imtidad” program will let subscribers get bill credits from community solar stations without installing panels. EV Momentum in Rajasthan: Rajasthan launched electric buses in Jaipur and Bhilwara under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, marking the state’s first e-bus rollout. Hydropower Operations Update: Nepal’s energy minister inspected Marsyangdi Hydropower’s powerhouse as it generates 69 MW. Solar Storage Product News: WattCycle unveiled an AI-managed balcony solar storage system up to 10 kWh at Intersolar Europe 2026.

Hydropower Deal Scrutiny (Philippines): The Lopez majority is pressing First Gen Corp. to explain a hydropower partnership with Prime Infrastructure, arguing First Gen effectively funds nearly all project costs for only a 33% stake. Grid Reliability & Storage (India): Delhi’s regulator cleared BRPL to start competitive bidding for a 97.5 MW / 195 MWh battery storage build at five substations to cut peak stress and help renewables. Solar Tariffs (India): Karnataka’s electricity regulator floated a new solar tariff framework for 2026–29, proposing INR 2.65/unit for distributed solar under updated norms. Clean Power on the Grid (US): SunZia’s 550-mile HVDC line is now fully operational, moving up to 3,000 MW of wind power from New Mexico to the Southwest—enough for about 1 million homes. Hydropower Risk Management (India): India’s power ministry says it will closely monitor monsoon-linked hydro output and be ready to lean on thermal generation if needed. Renewables for Rural Power (China): A smart-grid solar-and-wind program turned Ningxia’s Minning Town into a “green electricity” hub with 24/7 100% green supply since 2024. Regional Targets (West Africa): ECOWAS set a goal to reach 48% renewables in the electricity mix by 2030, alongside plans to cut high grid losses. Local Impacts (US): A hydropower pipeline completion in New York City’s power supply chain is drawing backlash from Stony Point businesses hit by construction disruption. Hydropower Licensing Reform (US): A bill called the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act aims to modernize re-licensing and protect existing generation.

Grid & Transmission: New York City has switched on the $6B Champlain Hudson Power Express HVDC link, designed to bring Canadian hydropower to supply up to 20% of the city’s electricity demand. Grid Modernization: Eversource is planning a new Burlington substation and related underground distribution work, saying alternatives like solar, efficiency and storage can’t yet meet rising demand. Hydropower Builds & Exports: Nepal is ramping electricity exports to India and Bangladesh as monsoon arrives, while construction starts on the 16MW Machha Khola hydropower project. Hydropower Policy: Nepal’s minister says the 1,200MW Budhi Gandaki reservoir project remains a national priority, with compensation and access-road prep moving ahead. Energy Storage: Solis will debut all-in-one residential and C&I storage systems at Intersolar Europe, signaling storage’s shift from backup to full energy management. Renewables in Action: Amazon signed a German offshore wind PPA with Skyborn Renewables for the Baltic Sea’s Gennaker project. Climate Risk: Washington’s snowpack is nearly gone early, with drought and hydropower stress looming; PNG officials warn El Niño could worsen drought and food-water security. Solar Adoption: Odisha’s Ganjam district reports thousands of rooftop-solar customers with zero electricity bills, showing how distributed generation is taking hold.

Solar-on-water push in the Philippines: SunAsia Energy and Vietnam’s VinEnergo are earmarking $406M for a 422 MWp “solar on stilts” portfolio across Pampanga and Negros Occidental, targeting operations in 2027–2028 and pairing power with aquaculture. Plug-in solar fight in California: SB 868, the “Plug and Play Solar Act,” would let Californians buy portable balcony solar panels via retailers and plug into a 120V outlet, bypassing some utility interconnection fees; it now heads to the Assembly. Grid-scale storage to cut curtailment in India: NTPC is installing 5 GWh of battery storage at coal plants in a ₹5,000 crore push to absorb excess renewables. Offshore wind setback in the US: The Interior Department agreed to pay Invenergy $765M to terminate four offshore wind leases, redirecting funds toward gas and geothermal. Regional renewables funding push: ECOWAS Parliament urged member states to set aside at least 5% of national budgets for renewable energy and rural development to tackle electricity deficits. Transmission milestone in New York: Champlain Hudson Power Express has started delivering power to NYC, targeting up to 20% of city demand. Clean energy in action after disasters: In Mindanao, a 6 kW solar system helped restore water pumping and village phone charging after a 7.8 quake.

Water & Energy Security: A new U.S. Bureau of Reclamation forecast says Lake Mead could fall faster than expected, potentially reaching about 1,015.77 feet by July 2027, as drought keeps squeezing the Colorado River system that supports 40 million people and millions of acres of farmland. Grid & Storage Politics: In western Washington, community opposition is spreading to utility-scale battery farms, with cities and counties imposing moratoriums and developers pulling proposals as clean-grid needs collide with local safety and siting concerns. Solar Growth: Ireland’s connected solar capacity jumped nearly 300% to 2.7 GW by end-May 2026, with solar generation topping 1.17 TWh over the year and more than 190,000 rooftop systems now operating. Nuclear Fuel Supply: Oklo and Centrus signed a Letter of Intent to supply domestic HALEU for up to five Aurora powerhouses in southern Ohio, with deliveries starting in 2029. Offshore Wind Leadership: China added 7.192 GW of newly grid-connected offshore wind in 2025—78% of the global total—pushing cumulative capacity to 92.475 GW worldwide. Policy & Markets: The World Bank approved €400 million in extra financing for Türkiye to expand wind and utility-scale battery storage, aiming to unlock longer-term project funding. Hydropower & Industry: Nepal says it’s prioritizing transmission buildout to support electricity production and trade, while China marked 23 years of Three Gorges Dam ship-lock operations handling 1.11 million vessels.

Solar Tech: NASA-backed “electric curtain” dust shields could boost solar output by electrically clearing panel grime, tackling losses that can reach 5% in a day and far more over months and years. Wind Scale-Up: China’s Dongfang Electric has grid-connected a 26MW giant turbine, claiming enough power for ~55,000 homes and signaling a push toward fewer, larger machines. Policy Push: Bangladesh’s FY2026–27 budget drew praise for solar incentives, including a zero% tax rate for solar through 2035 and consumer rebates aimed at cutting fossil fuel dependence. Hydropower & Safety: Nepal’s hydropower push toward 30,000MW highlights the growing need for safer spillways as climate-driven extreme floods strain traditional designs. Grid & Storage: Electrify America opened a large-format EV charging site in Santa Barbara with 20 fast chargers plus its biggest public battery system to ease grid strain and better use renewables. Offshore Wind Backlash: The Trump administration reportedly paid Invenergy $765M to abandon four offshore wind leases, a move critics call a costly attempt to prop up fossil fuels. Regional Power Access: ECOWAS Parliament is targeting higher renewable shares and rural electrification, aiming for 48% renewables by 2030. Local Resistance: California’s Desert Hot Springs approved a 45-day moratorium on new data centers over water and power concerns.

Grid & Reliability: Sweden narrowly avoided a blackout after two separate grid problems hit at once, including a fault that cut about 500MW of imported power from Poland and forced emergency measures. Long-Duration Storage: Europe is leaning into long-duration energy storage, with a new report arguing technologies beyond pumped hydro could cut curtailment and grid congestion—especially in Spain and Portugal. India Flexibility Gap: Ember says India curtailed 2.1TWh of renewables in FY2025–26 to keep coal plants above minimum operating levels, and estimates about 10GWh of storage could have prevented much of it. Solar Rollouts: Bihar launched a ₹1,512 crore rooftop solar push for 2.5 lakh “Kutir Jyoti” households, aiming to scale to 25 lakh by 2027. Hydropower & Storage Builds: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, adding 17MW after nearly 12 years. Pumped Storage Expansion: ČEZ plans to convert part of Orlík into the Czech Republic’s fourth pumped-storage plant by 2033, targeting up to 750MWh per cycle. Policy & Markets: Ireland’s data-centre “sustainable” plan drew backlash, while Bangladesh experts welcomed budget incentives like zero tax for solar through 2035. Clean Power in Practice: iGA Istanbul Airport says it now meets 100% of its electricity needs from solar via its Eskişehir plant. Wind Power Politics: A giant UK windfarm plan on Walshaw Moor sparked objections over peatland and habitat impacts.

Transmission & Grid Buildout: New York officially completed the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a 339-mile Canada-to-NYC clean power line expected to supply up to 20% of the city’s needs and cut emissions by 37 million metric tons through 2040. Pumped Storage & Flexibility: China’s pumped-storage push is set to add about 100 million kW by 2030, with experts calling it key to stabilizing grids as renewables scale. Rooftop Solar Push: Philippines civil society launched “Don’t Waste the Sun” to cut rooftop solar costs and remove regulatory barriers after Meralco urged tighter rules. Solar in Remote Regions: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz ordered federal funding for a 100MW Gilgit-Baltistan solar project, plus solarisation of government buildings and household systems. Hydropower Governance: India’s dam fleet is aging and unevenly distributed, with sedimentation already eroding storage and century-old dams holding a tiny share—raising safety and oversight questions. Battery Storage Investment: UK-focused BESS developers say falling battery prices and steadier revenues are strengthening the business case for storage as grids get constrained. Wind Policy: A federal court cleared the way for wind permitting in Washington after a Trump-era freeze. Corporate Hydropower Dispute: First Gen’s independent directors backed its stake in Prime Infra’s Wawa pumped-storage and Pakil hydropower projects despite ongoing Lopez-family tensions.

Policy Push: Bangladesh’s government unveiled a comprehensive 2026-27 power-sector action plan aimed at uninterrupted, affordable electricity, while pointing to past policy missteps and rising power costs. Grid & Renewables Buildout: Kenya’s Ketraco energised the Sh8.4bn Isinya–Konza 400kV line and Konza substation to strengthen transmission for Konza Technopolis and the fast-growing eastern region. Solar Manufacturing Trade Fight: Europe’s remaining solar makers are urging Brussels to include solar modules and PV components in a new EU safeguard approach as China-linked overcapacity squeezes domestic production. US Wind Legal Win: California AG Bonta says the Trump administration dropped its bid to indefinitely pause wind leasing and permitting, clearing the way for new wind investment. Solar Project Progress: Kyrgyzstan switched on the first 175MW phase of a planned 1.9GW ROX Issyk-Kul solar project, with full completion targeted for 2028. Storage & Hybrid Expansion: Statcon Energiaa and Ram Raja Solar are teaming up in Uttar Pradesh to expand BESS and hybrid inverter deployments. Rural Access Focus: ECOWAS Parliament launched a regional campaign to expand solar power in rural West Africa, citing electricity access gaps that stall clinics, schools, and farm processing. Hydro Debate: B.C. is re-examining the decades-old Site E Peace River dam proposal amid First Nations and landowner pushback over impacts.

Southeast Asia Grid Push: The IEA says South-east Asia hit a record US$17B in renewable energy investment in 2025, led by solar, hydropower, wind and geothermal—but grid spending still lags, with long permitting and transformer/cable lead times slowing delivery. U.S. Solar Policy Shock: BloombergNEF projects U.S. residential solar additions will stall for years after the homeowner tax credit sunset, with 2026 installs down 15% and major installers cutting forecasts. Big Solar + Storage in the U.S.: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5B for the Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, targeting 1.63GW solar plus 1.9GWh battery storage by 2029. Wind Legal Win in California: California AG Bonta says the Trump administration dropped its appeal to keep a wind-permitting pause in place—clearing the way for new wind projects. Long-Duration Storage Momentum (Europe): Eurelectric and AFRY argue long-duration energy storage is gaining a stronger business case as Europe seeks flexibility beyond pumped hydro. Hydropower Development Watch (Canada): B.C. is re-examining potential new hydro dams, including Site E near the Peace River, as electricity demand climbs. Local Solar Adoption (New Zealand): Fonterra signed a solar deal with ANZA for its Canterbury operations, using a virtual PPA structure to lock in long-term price certainty.