Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nxera Singapore (Nxera), the AI data centre arm of Singtel Group, to explore the supply of renewable and low-carbon energy to Nxera’s data centres in Singapore. The agreement establishes a framework for both companies to assess scalable energy solutions that can meet the requirements of Singapore’s expanding digital economy while improving energy resilience and reducing carbon emissions. The collaboration focuses on identifying sustainable options for data centre energy supply as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow.

Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and a leading global developer, owner, and operator of solar and energy storage assets, has commenced commercial operations at the Villameca Project in the Region of Castilla y León, Spain. The Villameca solar project is a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with an installed capacity of 200 MWp and is expected to produce approximately 359,172 MWh of clean electricity annually. Its anticipated generation is sufficient to supply more than 100,000 homes while preventing approximately 57,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

This reduction is equivalent to removing more than 12,000 internal combustion vehicles from the road. The project adds to Recurrent Energy’s expanding portfolio in Spain, following the recent inauguration of the 426 MWp Rey Solar Project in Andalucía. Another development, the 315 MWp Tordesillas Project in Castilla y León, is expected to be connected later this year. With these three projects, the company expects its total operational solar capacity in Spain to reach approximately 1 GW by year-end.

Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, said, “The achievement of commercial operation at Villameca marks an important milestone for Recurrent Energy and strengthens our position in Europe. As we continue to grow our renewable energy portfolio, we remain committed to creating lasting value in the communities where we operate. We are particularly proud of this project’s impact and the high level of social and biodiversity commitments achieved throughout its development.”

American Electric Power (AEP), a major U.S. utility company, has announced plans to develop a 702MW fuel cell power facility near Cheyenne, Wyoming, to provide electricity for Google. Announced on the 14th, the project represents an investment of approximately $4 billion and is intended to address rising electricity requirements associated with the expansion of AI and cloud services.

The facility will operate as a dedicated power source for Google under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), ensuring a long-term arrangement for electricity supply. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with full-scale operation targeted by the end of 2028. Under the agreement, Google will purchase the electricity generated at the plant, while AEP will develop and own the generation assets. This arrangement allows AEP to retain ownership of the infrastructure and secure demand and revenue through the long-term contract, rather than transferring ownership of the power plant to Google. The proposed fuel cell power facility is part of a model in which utilities develop dedicated generation infrastructure to meet the requirements of major electricity consumers.

Project Specifications and Operational Timeline

The battery energy storage project, managed and developed by Vopak, is designed with a total capacity of 150MW. Through this agreement, Vattenfall is set to secure 100MW/400MWh of this capacity. The facility is scheduled to initiate commercial operations during the second quarter of 2028.

Grid Balancing and Renewable Energy Integration

As the power grid in the Netherlands continues to incorporate higher volumes of renewable energy, the need for balancing electricity supply and demand has grown. Battery energy storage acts as a vital tool in this transition, as it allows for the absorption of surplus electricity during peak production times. When renewable output decreases or demand surges, the stored power can be returned to the grid.

Strategic Objectives of the Participating Companies

For Vattenfall, this agreement supports its broader objective to contract a minimum of 1.5GW of storage capacity across its primary markets. The company noted that this Dutch battery energy storage capacity will enhance operational flexibility.

“As the energy system becomes increasingly renewable, flexibility plays a crucial role in maintaining balance between supply and demand. Battery storage helps make better use of renewable electricity and contributes to a more reliable and efficient energy system,” said Vattenfall wholesale energy head Erik Suichies.

“We are pleased to partner with Vopak and support the development of large-scale energy storage in the Netherlands,” he added.

For Vopak, this collaboration marks a significant advancement in its move toward electrical energy storage solutions.

This battery energy storage project combines large-scale storage infrastructure with expertise in flexibility optimization to support the power grid and the integration of renewable energy. Both parties are aiming to strengthen grid resilience and boost renewable energy integration.

Integration into Existing Portfolios

The newly acquired assets will be integrated into the existing 50/50 joint venture established by the companies in 2025. This venture currently manages approximately 1.4 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity. Once the transaction is finalized, the total portfolio size is expected to reach 2.1 gigawatts. Commercial operations for these sites are projected to commence by the first quarter of 2027.

Strategic Operational Goals

TotalEnergies plans to maintain operational control of the assets following the transaction close, which is anticipated before the end of 2026. The electricity produced will be sold to third-party customers or marketed by TotalEnergies. This expansion aligns with the company’s broader strategy to integrate an electricity business alongside its traditional oil and natural gas operations. By building a portfolio that combines power generation with flexible resources and energy storage, the company aims to meet the requirements of customers seeking reliable supply.

Market Context and Capital Allocation

The deal emphasizes the significant role that institutional investors play in financing large-scale energy infrastructure:

• Through this U.S. solar energy partnership, TotalEnergies shares capital requirements and project ownership while managing operations. This model provides financial flexibility for ongoing investments.
• For KKR, the transaction strengthens its presence in U.S. electricity infrastructure by adding assets nearing commercial operation, with project revenues potentially supported by existing power sales agreements.

For industry observers, the transaction highlights how integrated energy companies are evolving their capital allocation. Rather than focusing solely on upstream production, firms are increasingly treating electricity as a core revenue source.

Furthermore, the rising demand for electricity, driven by data centers and industrial facilities, necessitates a balance between renewable generation and dispatchable resources. While solar projects play a key role, the demand for reliability continues to create a functional intersection between renewable assets and natural gas-fired plants within the broader energy infrastructure landscape.

Held under the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” AEBF-26 convened regional energy leaders and stakeholders from across ASEAN and beyond, with Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin serving as chair. The forum brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, industry executives, and development partners to discuss the region’s evolving energy priorities.

During the opening ceremony, MGEN received a commendation from the DOE for its investment in Singapore-based PacificLight Power’s (PLP) 670-MW hydrogen-ready combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, recognizing its contribution to advancing ASEAN energy cooperation. The recognition comes following PLP’s recent groundbreaking of the S$1.2-billion facility on Jurong Island. The project will be Singapore’s first gas-fired power plant integrated with a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) and will be capable of co-firing up to 30% hydrogen from the outset, with the potential to transition to 100% hydrogen in the future.

Across AEBF-26, MGEN executives joined discussions on investment, renewable energy, thermal generation, and energy security.

During the plenary session on “The Philippines – Game Changer: Why the Philippines Matters Now,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio positioned the Philippines as an increasingly attractive destination for energy investments, supported by policy reforms, strong renewable energy resources, and the country’s ability to develop projects at global scale. During the session, Mr. Rubio called for stronger alignment between national and local requirements, clearer permitting timelines, forward-looking transmission planning, and greater deployment and alignment of decentralized energy solutions to improve project execution.

In a panel session on “Strengthening Energy Transition: Oil and Gas Value Chain and Thermal Power,” MGEN Thermal President and CEO Arnel Santos shared his insights on the continuing role of dependable thermal generation as ASEAN adds more variable renewable energy while sustaining economic growth. He emphasized that the transition must also ensure existing generation assets continue to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably as the region’s energy mix evolves. For MGEN Thermal, this means continuously strengthening asset performance through its Best-in-Class Transformation and Business Stewardship initiatives, supporting a stable power system as the region’s energy mix evolves.

MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar President & CEO Dennis B. Jordan discussed what it takes to deliver renewable energy projects at scale, drawing from the company’s experience in developing MTerra Solar at a panel session on “The ASEAN Clean Energy Market – Size, Growth, and Where Capital Can Flow.” The project combines 3,500 MWp of solar capacity with 4,500 MWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and requires a dedicated 13-kilometer, 500-kV transmission line, alongside coordination on permitting, land development, financing, local government requirements, and community engagement.

On the sidelines of AEBF-26, Mr. Jordan shared MGEN’s experience in delivering MTerra Solar during Huawei’s 6th Philippines Grid-Forming Workshop and Next-Generation Energy Storage Launch. MTerra Solar Phase 1 entered commercial operations in August 2026, less than two years after the project broke ground in November 2024. Mr. Jordan said projects of this scale can help bring more competitively priced clean energy into the system while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, LNGPH President and CEO Yari A. Miralao also joined discussions on the role of natural gas in supporting energy security and system flexibility. MGEN holds a 40.2% investment in LNGPH, which operates the integrated LNG terminal and gas-to-power complex in Batangas.

Mr. Miralao highlighted the return of indigenous Malampaya gas to the Ilijan Power Plant as an important development for domestic energy security. LNGPH has also expanded its infrastructure with two new 60,000-cubic-meter full-containment LNG storage tanks, providing additional storage and operational flexibility.

Through its AEBF-26 exhibition booth with an MTerra Solar BESS prototype, MGEN showcased its key assets and investments across thermal generation, natural gas, renewable energy, and battery energy storage among the conference delegates and visitors.

With its diversified portfolio and strategic investments, MGEN continues to advance solutions that address the region’s need for a more secure, affordable, and sustainable energy – all to power a better tomorrow for the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region.

The meeting covered the company’s domestic and international growth strategy, production and technological capabilities, financial outlook and future targets. Hosted by Kalyon PV Chair Murathan Kalyoncu, the event brought together investors and analysts, who also toured the factory to observe the manufacturing process, covering the production of ingots, wafers, solar cells and panels.

According to the company, the planned investment will involve a U.S.-based partnership in which Kalyon PV will hold a majority stake. The company has already completed the establishment of its U.S. entity. The proposed U.S. production facility is expected to manufacture solar panels and other products for the solar energy industry while complying with applicable U.S. regulations and domestic-content requirements. Kalyon PV also intends to establish sales and marketing operations in the country, allowing it to serve customers in the U.S. market directly.

U.S. Incentives Support Manufacturing Investment

The United States has become an important market in Kalyon PV’s international growth strategy, supported by increasing solar energy investment, rising demand and incentive mechanisms designed to encourage domestic production. The company’s investment plans are also based on U.S. targets to substantially expand installed solar capacity by 2035 and the advantages available to local manufacturers.

To support the proposed U.S. production facility, Kalyon PV is working with a U.S.-based consultancy on tax, legal and investment matters. The company expects to pursue federal tax incentives alongside economic development incentives available at state and local levels. These measures form part of its strategy to establish manufacturing operations in the country and expand its presence in the U.S. solar energy market.

Kalyon PV Enters a ‘New Era’ of International Growth

Kalyoncu said Kalyon PV intended to extend the manufacturing experience and capabilities it had developed in Türkiye to international markets. “Since our establishment, we have manufactured panels to meet the needs of our industry, particularly for the Kalyon Karapınar Solar Power Plant, one of Europe’s largest and among the world’s leading solar power plants,” he said. He also highlighted the company’s continued investments in research and development, technology and human resources, which he said had enabled Kalyon PV to achieve a series of milestones.

Describing the company’s next phase of development, Kalyoncu said, “Today, we are entering a new era in which we will take the experience and manufacturing strength we have built in Türkiye to global markets.”

“The company we have established in the United States is an important step in our international growth strategy,” he added.

Kalyoncu added that every new investment strengthens the company’s production capabilities, while each additional market supports its broader global expansion strategy. The establishment of the U.S. production facility represents a further step in Kalyon PV’s efforts to extend its manufacturing operations beyond Türkiye and serve international markets directly.

Rasmus Errboe, CEO of Ørsted, said, “Borkum Riffgrund 3 shows what offshore wind can deliver for Germany: large-scale, home-grown renewable electricity for industry and households, built by a European supply chain. With well-designed, risk-balanced frameworks, the German North and Baltic seas can become power plants that help drive decarbonisation and energy independence.”

“At the same time, the inauguration is a major milestone for Ørsted, as we significantly increase our renewable energy capacity in Germany and take a large step towards delivery on our global 8.1 GW construction portfolio,” he added.

Offshore Wind Supports Germany’s Energy Needs

In her message to guests in Hamburg, Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, highlighted the scale of the project and its contribution to Germany’s offshore capacity.

She said, “With 913 MW, this single project adds nearly a tenth to our national offshore capacity, which has already surpassed 10 GW this year. One wind farm with the output of a conventional power plant. Clean energy at true industrial scale.”

Grant Hendrik Tonne, Lower Saxony Minister of Economic Affairs, Transport and Building, also attended the event and emphasised the importance of offshore wind for Germany’s energy independence and industrial competitiveness.

“Borkum Riffgrund 3 illustrates why offshore wind isn’t only an essential pillar of the energy transition. It’s also an important economic driver and a strategic locational advantage. It creates orders for industrial companies, supports skilled employment, and strengthens the maritime expertise of our coastal regions,” said Grant Hendrik Tonne.

Jordi Francesch, Global Head of Clean Energy at Nuveen Infrastructure, said, “Today’s inauguration marks a proud moment for Nuveen Infrastructure and our long-standing partnership with Ørsted. Borkum Riffgrund 3 reflects the scale of investment and collaboration needed to deliver Germany’s energy transition, bringing together industrial offtakers, supply chain partners, and long-term capital to create a project that will serve German businesses and households for decades to come.”

Project Adds Renewable Power for Industry

Germany still imports more than 60 % of its energy, leaving households and businesses exposed to fossil fuel price shocks, which have occurred twice in less than five years.

Josche Muth, Country Manager of Ørsted Germany, said, “Germany is currently taking important steps to make offshore wind more efficient and affordable, especially by introducing two-sided CfDs, longer operating lives for wind farms, and a stronger focus on cross-border projects.”

Borkum Riffgrund 3 forms part of the contribution to German energy security by helping meet the increasing demand for renewable electricity from companies at the centre of Germany’s industrial and digital economy, including Amazon, Google, EHA/REWE Group, Covestro, and BASF. The project is directly connected to the TenneT Dolwin epsilon converter platform, representing a first for offshore wind in Germany. The inauguration also focused on continued innovation and coordination in grid development, with broad agreement that an accelerated and coordinated approach would be central to unlocking Germany’s renewable energy potential.

European Supply Chain Supports Construction

The construction of Borkum Riffgrund 3 demonstrates the role of the European offshore wind supply chain in delivering projects in Germany. The wind farm uses wind turbines and foundations supplied from Germany and Denmark, cables from Germany and France, and installation vessels from the Netherlands and Belgium, among others. Around 100 German companies were contracted in connection with the development and construction of the wind farm, while operations and maintenance are conducted from Ørsted’s sites in Norden-Norddeich and Emden. Offshore wind also generates value beyond Germany’s coastal regions, including industrial areas such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland.

In 2025, the offshore wind industry generated more than 30,000 full-time jobs and EUR 14.6 billion in gross value across Germany. Borkum Riffgrund 3 is Ørsted’s sixth operational offshore wind farm in Germany. Its commissioning brings Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in the country to around 2.5 GW, representing a 25 % market share and the largest operational portfolio of any company in Germany.

Keywords: Borkum Riffgrund 3,

Meta-title:  Opens as Ørsted’s Largest German Project

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Technologies and manufacturing processes developed through the collaboration between the two facilities will be introduced across Panasonic Energy’s global manufacturing network. This includes its production facilities in Japan as well as Nevada and Kansas in the United States. The approach is intended to strengthen production competitiveness while enabling Panasonic Energy to better respond to customers worldwide.

Energy Innovation Square will bring together approximately 500 employees involved in cell product planning, technology development and analysis. Combined with the Suminoe Production Development Facility, which specializes in manufacturing technology development, the two locations will create one of Japan’s largest dedicated battery development operations, with a combined workforce of approximately 800 people. Through closer coordination between the facilities, Panasonic Energy aims to double development efficiency by FY2031 (fiscal year ending March 2031), compared with FY2024, allowing it to accelerate product development and respond more flexibly to increasing demand and increasingly diverse customer needs.

Digital Technologies to Accelerate Battery Development

The new battery development hub brings together development and prototyping activities that were previously spread across multiple locations. Panasonic Energy expects this consolidation to improve operational efficiency, optimize workforce requirements and reduce development lead times involving transportation by more than 15%. Energy Innovation Square is also equipped with an enhanced digital transformation platform designed to support the accumulation and integration of simulation and physical-test data. Through continuous process monitoring and statistical analysis, Panasonic Energy plans to improve simulation accuracy and design maturity, reducing the time needed to move new products into mass production.

The Japanese government has described batteries as the “heart of industry,” highlighting their importance to energy and economic security. As electrification expands, demand for more advanced battery solutions is increasing, with EVs requiring higher energy density and greater durability. At the same time, the expansion of AI data centers is creating demand for higher-output batteries. Emerging applications, including drones, robotaxis and humanoid robots, are also expected to broaden the use of battery technologies.

Against this backdrop, Panasonic Energy is strengthening its development capabilities to address changing requirements with speed, flexibility and technological expertise. The battery development hub is intended to enhance these capabilities while supporting closer collaboration between development and mass production.

Panasonic Energy Targets Higher Development Efficiency

Energy Innovation Square will serve as a core hub for Panasonic Energy’s battery development, strengthening collaboration from next-generation product development through mass production and enhancing our global competitiveness. As battery markets and applications evolve, we will continue to respond swiftly and flexibly to customer needs, drawing on our technological expertise and experience. Through innovative battery technologies, we remain committed to contributing to a more sustainable society,” said Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy.

The inaugural day also featured the 22nd Power Plant Summit 2026 and the 20th PaperTech 2026, creating a comprehensive industry platform focused on energy efficiency, clean technologies, industrial decarbonisation, resource conservation, digitalisation and sustainable manufacturing. While the Power Plant Summit examined the future of thermal power through efficiency, sustainability, flexibility and Artificial Intelligence, PaperTech 2026 focused on making the Indian pulp and paper industry world class through technology, innovation, sustainability and operational excellence.

Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Telangana, emphasized the role of energy efficiency and clean technologies in enabling sustainable economic growth. He said, “Energy efficiency is not merely an environmental obligation; it is an economic competitiveness strategy. For a rapidly growing state like Telangana, the answer is not to slow down economic activity, but to make every unit of energy support more economic activity. The cheapest unit of electricity is often the unit we do not need to consume. Energy efficiency is, in many ways, a power plant that requires no new land, no coal mine and no new transmission line. Every megawatt of demand permanently avoided through efficient motors, better cooling systems, intelligent buildings, smart industrial processes and digital energy management reduces pressure on the entire electricity system while lowering operating costs and emissions. As we look ahead, the challenge is to measure what matters, share solutions that work and scale proven technologies from one plant to hundreds of enterprises. Telangana wants its growth to be rapid, but also intelligent – producing more, prospering more and wasting less. That is good economics, good energy policy and, ultimately, the most practical path towards sustainability.”

Mr. Tejpreet Singh Chopra, Chairman, Energy Efficiency Summit 2026 and Founder & CEO, BLP-Industry.AI, highlighted the convergence of technology, efficiency and industrial innovation. He said, “Energy efficiency is often called the ‘first fuel.’ It brings down demand, cuts costs, and creates room for cleaner sources of power to grow faster. I do believe AI and digital tools are becoming a catalyst for everything this Summit stands for. They compress the time between identifying an efficiency opportunity and acting on it. And they allow institutions like CII-Green Business Centre to scale their impact – moving from conducting a few hundred audits a year, to continuously monitoring thousands of assets across the country.”

Mr. Ajay Sharma, Chairman, Power Plant Summit 2026 & Executive Director (Operation Services), National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. said, “India’s energy transition cannot be measured only by how many megawatts of capacity we add; it must also be measured by how efficiently we operate, how effectively we integrate renewable energy and how much value we create from every megawatt of capacity. As we move towards a net-zero economy, we cannot immediately do away with thermal power; we must make it more efficient, flexible and responsive while accelerating the integration of renewables and energy storage. The future of India’s energy system will be built on efficient thermal power, renewable energy, storage and digital intelligence.”

Mr. Ganesh Bhadti, Chairman, PaperTech 2026 and Executive Director (Operations and Projects), Seshasayee Paper & Boards Limited, said, “Energy efficiency and decarbonisation are the two wings that will determine the future and sustainability of industry. The Indian paper industry has demonstrated that it can benchmark itself against global standards, and its inherent characteristics—renewability, recyclability and biodegradability—give it a strong foundation to pursue a net-zero future. What we do today to advance energy efficiency, and decarbonisation will determine the sustainability of our industry tomorrow.”

The Inaugural session was also attended by Mr. Goutham Reddy, Chairman, CII Telangana and Executive Vice Chairman, Re Sustainability Ltd.; Mr. Y. Harish Chandra Prasad, Past Chairman, CII AP & Chairman, Mahalaxmi Group; Mr. C Shekar Reddy, National Chairman, CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) & Managing Director, CSR Estates Ltd; Mr. KS Venkatagiri, Executive Director, CII Green Business Centre; and Mr. P V Kiran Ananth, Executive Director – Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Green Entrepreneurship, CII Green Business Centre.

The inaugural session witnessed the release of three publications — The Energy Efficiency Imperative: Lessons from the Past, Leadership for the Future, capturing key lessons and future priorities in India’s energy-efficiency journey; the CII Thermal Power Plant Benchmarking Report 2026, establishing performance benchmarks and identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and resource utilization; and Best Practice Manual in Paper Sector – Volume 14, showcasing 11 replicable best practices for energy and resource efficiency from India and international paper-sector leaders.

The inaugural session highlighted that India’s transition towards Net Zero will require technology-led energy efficiency, operational excellence, modernization, AI-enabled decision-making, resource conservation, renewable energy and circularity, supported by collaboration across industry ecosystems. The discussions emphasized the need to translate sustainability ambitions into practical and scalable solutions that can strengthen industrial competitiveness, enhance energy security and improve environmental performance. The day also marked the first day of the 27th edition of the CII National Award for Excellence in Energy Management, with 263 industries across 15+ sectors sharing their best practices, innovative technologies and approaches to energy efficiency—continuing CII’s long-standing effort to recognize and promote excellence in energy management across industry.

The event witnessed participation from 1600+ policymakers, senior industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, academia, energy professionals, startups, and other key stakeholders, with 60+ national and international speakers contributing to the deliberations. The event also featured a large exposition showcasing 75+ innovative technologies and solutions, highlighting emerging opportunities for energy efficiency, clean technology and sustainable growth.