Italy’s energy regulator ARERA has approved a proposal from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to target 16 GWh of storage capacity in the 2029 MACSE auction, while urging caution on final volumes to reflect existing pipeline capacity.

GlobalData says hydrogen capacity could reach 82.3 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) by 2030, while Topsoe has ended supply agreements with First Ammonia.

Sweden’s Ionautics has advanced its platinum-based hydrogen catalyst toward full-scale industrial production, while thyssenkrupp nucera has signed contracts for 300 MW of alkaline electrolysis capacity in Spain and 260 MW in India.

The European Union’s NIS2 Directive is pushing PV operators to strengthen both cyber and physical security, treating solar assets as critical infrastructure. It also highlights the need for stronger physical protection measures, such as site surveillance, access control, and perimeter security to prevent tampering and intrusion.

Atome says it has secured a $420 million debt package for a $650 million low-carbon fertilizer project in Paraguay producing 260,000 metric tons (MT) per year, while Asahi Kasei says it has begun installing a 1 MW-class electrolyzer at Finland’s first commercial hydrogen refueling station.

Key – The Energy Transition Expo was held last week in Italy, featuring 1,065 exhibitors and 530 buyers. The event focused on energy-as-a-service and agrivoltaic projects, with operators saying agriPV standardization should be reached by 2030-32. Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told pv magazine that coal and gas are strategic assets, noted that the “PV sector is maturing,” and urged the European Union to coordinate on gas storage and supply chains for modules and storage solutions.

BP and Iberdrola say their 25 MW green hydrogen project in Spain is nearing commissioning, while Moeve has approved a final investment decision for a 300 MW project in Spain.

HydrogenPro says its 220 MW ACES Delta project in Utah is nearing completion, with all electrolyzers operating at full load, while the hub will store hydrogen in salt caverns with energy capacity two to three times that of all US grid-connected batteries combined.

Italy’s new energy decree aims to cut consumer electricity bills, but industry experts warn it could slash solar revenues by over 30%, slow the PPA and battery storage markets, and increase gas-fired generation. The measure also raises regulatory and state aid concerns, potentially making the Italian electricity market riskier for investors.

Dutch tulip nursery Rainbow Colors has completed the installation of a 1 MW solid oxide electrolyzer for on-site hydrogen production, while GlobalData says global low-carbon hydrogen capacity could reach up to 65.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030, driven largely by green hydrogen expansion in the Americas.