Grid bottlenecks threaten 120 GW of planned renewables in Europe
Latest analysis from Ember finds major grid bottlenecks in transmission and distribution networks across Europe, threatening the viability of both future utility-scale and smaller-scale residential solar in the most impacted countries.
BBDF 2026: Finance, tolling, and getting the merchant balance right
As Europe prepares to roll out 200 GWh of battery storage over the next five years, discussion at the Battery Business & Development Forum 2026 turns to how financing models are rapidly shifting. Bankers, developers and stakeholders shared key pain points with the audience, as well as practical advice.
Middle East conflict lifting PPA valuations, says Pexapark
Swiss analytics firm Pexapark says the latest developments in the Middle East are having a visible effect on long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) valuation in Europe, as the market begins to reprice the coming years.
Azerbaijan commissions 500 MWh battery storage project
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has inaugurated a major battery energy storage system (BESS) project as part of a 500 MWh rollout to strengthen grid stability and support renewable energy integration.
BBDF 2026 Opening Session: Optimism, caution, and grid fees
Investors at the Battery Business & Development Forum (BBDF) 2026 signaled continued confidence in the energy storage market, while warning that regulatory uncertainty, particularly around grid fees in Germany, could affect project economics and investment decisions.
Italy targets 16 GWh storage auction under MACSE scheme
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.
US startup begins manufacturing grid-scale flywheel ESS
SOSV-backed Qnetic is aiming to raise $20 million in 2026. Over the next two years it will work with the National Lab of the Rockies and other partners on field testing and validating its technology across multiple use cases.
UK defining stronger energy cybersecurity rules after Poland attack
The UK government is proposing stronger cybersecurity rules for electricity and gas sectors, prompted by recent attacks on European energy infrastructure, including a recent incident involving solar power plants in Poland. The plans would extend baseline cybersecurity requirements to all licensed energy organizations and could also adjust compliance thresholds under NIS regulations.
Sodium-ion cells launched for energy storage by another Chinese mid-tier battery company
Bosa Energy in Hubei, China, has launched sodium-ions cells for stationary energy storage, with a volumetric energy density of 206 Wh/L
Lithuania’s solar capacity surpasses 3 GW
Lithuania added approximately 600 MW of solar last year, taking total capacity to 3,040 MW. Technical permits have been issued for an additional 4 GW of solar but with grid congestion becoming a primary constraint, future deployments will be increasingly dependent on integration with storage technologies.
