China has announced new measures to develop its energy storage manufacturing sector. The government defines this industry as producing energy storage, information processing, safety control, and other products related to storing renewable energy. An action plan issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with seven other government bodies, aims to make the industry internationally competitive by 2027. The plan includes efforts to improve existing technologies such as lithium batteries and encourage innovation in new energy storage methods. China will launch projects to accelerate research in energy storage. The country will also focus on improving industrial coordination in…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Japan’s total installed wind power capacity reached 5,840.4 megawatts (MW) by the end of December 2024, according to the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA). This includes 2,720 wind turbine units operating across the country. In 2024, Japan added 703.3 MW of new wind power. This came from 170 new wind turbines installed at 23 wind farms. The increase contributes to the country’s overall renewable energy generation. Offshore wind power is growing, with the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm beginning operations in 2024. It follows the Akita Port Offshore Wind Farm and the Nyuzen Offshore Wind Power Farm, which…
SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) has arranged funding to expand its battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Philippines. The company stated that the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and China Banking Corporation will fund the 16-megawatt (MW) Magat BESS Phase 2, while BPI and Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc. (BDO) will finance the 40MW Binga BESS. The new storage facilities will be built at existing hydroelectric power plants. Magat BESS Phase 2 will be set up at the Magat hydro plant in Isabela, and Binga BESS will be located at the Binga hydro plant in Benguet. Both projects…
Shizen Operations Inc., a subsidiary of Shizen Energy Group, has been assigned to manage asset operations for 312 megawatts (MW) of solar power projects in Japan. The projects belong to Nozomi Energy Co., Ltd., a renewable energy platform created by global investor Actis. Shizen Energy stated that the agreement covers 12 solar projects acquired by Nozomi Energy in December 2024. With this deal, Shizen Operations now oversees a total renewable energy capacity of around 641 MW. Nozomi Energy was launched as a platform for renewable energy investment and project management in Japan. Actis, which focuses on infrastructure and energy investments,…
Lightsource bp has purchased a 15-megawatt peak (MWp) solar project in Hokkaido. This marks the company’s first project in Japan. The acquisition expands its presence in the Asia Pacific region, where it already operates in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and South Korea. Adam Pegg, Chief Operating Officer for APAC at Lightsource bp, stated that “the company plans to combine its international experience with local partnerships to contribute to Japan’s renewable energy sector.” Lightsource bp has a global solar development pipeline of over 58 gigawatts (GW), with nearly 8 GW located in the Asia Pacific region. Japan has been increasing its…
Tesla has officially opened its Megafactory in Shanghai. The facility is expected to produce 10,000 Megapack units annually, with a total energy storage capacity of 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh). Construction of the factory began in May 2024 and was completed in December 2024. This is Tesla’s second factory dedicated to Megapack production. The first Megafactory is located in Lathrop, California. Tesla also operates a Gigafactory in Shanghai for electric vehicle production. Megapacks are large-scale battery storage units designed for grid stabilization and renewable energy integration. They store excess energy from sources like solar and wind and release it when demand is…
Thailand has begun commercial production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). State-owned oil and gas company PTT started producing SAF in January 2024. The fuel is made from waste oil and biomass. PTT’s subsidiary, PTT Global Chemical (PTT GC), will initially supply domestic airlines and has signed an agreement with Thai Airways. PTT GC plans to produce 6 million liters of SAF in the first year. This amount can fuel around 2,000 flights for midsize aircraft traveling 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers per trip. The company plans to increase production in the future. It is considering using cassava and sugar as raw…
From May to December 2024, the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) approved 149 energy projects by issuing Certificates of Energy Projects of National Significance (CEPNS). These projects are expected to add a total of 19 gigawatts (GW) to the country’s power supply. Of this total, 17.6 GW will come from 91 renewable energy projects, while 1.5 GW will be generated from four conventional power plants. The DOE also granted certificates to 29 transmission projects, 24 microgrid system projects, and one energy exploration project. These projects are scheduled to be completed within the next two to five years, aiming to strengthen…
The Ministry of Finance and Planning of Maldives has announced a tender for a new solar power project with a capacity between 100 megawatts (MW) and 150 MW. The project will be located in the Greater Malé region and will include a battery energy storage system to support stable power distribution. This solar power project will be developed under a design, build, finance, own, operate, and transfer (DBFOOT) model. This approach means that the selected developer will be responsible for every stage of the project, from design and construction to financing and operation. After an agreed period, the project will…
Malaysia has launched a rooftop solar leasing scheme to promote renewable energy and reduce electricity costs, especially for B40 and M40 households. The initiative allows homeowners to lease their rooftops for solar power generation. Third parties will aggregate multiple rooftops to supply green electricity to local consumers. Gading Kencana Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Muhamad Guntor Mansor Tobeng welcomed the scheme, noting strong interest from the public. He suggested expanding the scheme to include religious and community buildings like mosques, temples, and churches, which have large rooftops suitable for solar energy generation. The scheme is part of the Community Renewable…