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1. European Electricity Prices: Weekly Update

Electricity prices across major European markets displayed a mixed performance during the third week of May, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting.

During the third week of May 2025, electricity prices in Europe showed mixed changes:

• Prices went up in Belgium, the UK, France, and Spain.

• Prices went down in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, the Nordics, and Portugal.

Why did this happen?

• More wind power in some countries, like Germany and Italy, helped lower prices.

• Less wind power and higher demand in France and Spain pushed prices up.

• Solar power production hit new records in Germany, Portugal, and Italy.

Price Highlights:

• Spain had the lowest weekly average price: €18.19/MWh.

• Italy had the highest: €95.80/MWh.

• Most countries saw some hours with negative or zero prices due to high renewable energy output.

  

  AleaSoft Energy Forecasting

  
  Experts expect prices to rise in most countries next week, except in Portugal and Spain, where more wind and solar energy should keep prices lower.

2. Danish Energy Equipment & Europe’s Solar Security

A recent inspection in Denmark found suspicious electronic parts in imported equipment meant for the country’s energy grid. These parts weren’t supposed to be there and could pose security risks.

• Even if there’s no proof of harm, any unknown parts in energy equipment can make the system vulnerable to hacking or failures.

• Similar issues have been found in the US, raising global concerns about the safety of imported solar technology.

How is the industry responding?

SolarPower Europe and other experts are calling for:

• Stricter cybersecurity rules for solar equipment

• Limits on who can remotely access solar systems from outside the EU

• More transparency and regular checks on all hardware and software used

What’s the risk?

• As Europe’s energy systems become more digital, they’re more open to cyber-attacks, especially if equipment isn’t properly checked.

• Even small weaknesses could affect the entire electricity grid.

What happens next?

• Denmark is now inspecting all imported parts more carefully.

• There are calls for the EU to speed up new rules and only allow certified, secure solar devices.

  
  Europe’s push for clean energy must go hand-in-hand with strong cybersecurity. Making sure all equipment is safe and trustworthy is essential for a reliable and secure energy future.

3. Italy’s Utility-Scale Battery Boom: Powering the Renewable Revolution

Italy’s utility-scale battery sector experienced explosive growth in 2024, driven by the deployment of large battery energy storage systems (BESS) that support the country’s renewable energy transition.

Massive Capacity Increase: Installed energy storage capacity soared from 507 MWh in 2023 to 3,359 MWh in 2024. Power capacity also jumped from 222 MW to 851 MW.

Fewer, Larger Installations: Growth was driven by 14 new utility-scale projects over 10 MWh, including two around 800 MWh, adding 3,310 MWh and 811 MW to the grid in one year through capacity market auctions.

Residential Decline: In contrast, residential and small commercial battery installations dropped, largely due to the end of the “Superbonus” tax deduction for home energy upgrades.

Market Drivers: Falling battery prices, ongoing capacity market auctions, and increasing demand for grid flexibility are fuelling further growth in large-scale battery projects.

Future Outlook: Italy aims for 50 GWh of energy storage by 2030 to support its renewable energy goals and grid stability. The national grid operator, Terna, estimates 8.9 GW (71 GWh) of storage is needed by 2030 to meet decarbonization targets.

Italy’s energy storage market is rapidly shifting toward large, utility-scale batteries, making them a cornerstone of the country’s clean energy strategy and grid modernization efforts.

4 . Norwegian Wind Farm Back Online After Siemens Gamesa Blade Failures

The Odal Vind onshore wind farm in Norway has resumed operations after being offline for about a year due to significant blade failures in its Siemens Gamesa turbines. The 163 MW project, located near the Swedish border, is equipped with 34 Siemens Gamesa SG 4.X turbines.

Background:

• In 2023, 13 out of 34 turbines were shut down after manufacturing defects in the blades were discovered, with two more undergoing repairs for other issues.

• The problems included a rotor blade falling off one turbine, prompting a full site shutdown for safety inspections and repairs.

•  The blade damages were mainly linked to production quality issues, which Siemens Gamesa has faced in both its 4.X and 5.X onshore turbine platforms.

Repair and Restart:

• Extensive repairs and blade replacements were carried out, with both Siemens Gamesa and independent third parties conducting thorough inspections.

• Turbines were gradually brought back online after passing rigorous safety checks, and the wind farm is now operational again.

Industry Impact:

• These quality issues have contributed to financial losses for Siemens Gamesa and led to increased scrutiny of manufacturing and maintenance practices.

• The incident underscores the importance of robust quality control and ongoing maintenance in large-scale wind projects.

The Odal Vind experience highlights both the challenges and the resilience of the wind sector as it works to ensure reliability and safety in renewable energy infrastructure.

5. U.S. Renewable Sector Faces $8 Billion Blow as Projects Stall

The U.S. clean energy industry is facing major headwinds, with nearly $8 billion in wind, solar, and battery manufacturing projects canceled, closed, or downsized in the first quarter of 2025. This comes as policy uncertainty grows under the new Trump administration.

What’s Happening?

• Sixteen major projects have been halted or scaled back, including Kore Power’s $1.2 billion battery factory in Arizona and Freyr Battery’s $2.6 billion plant in Georgia.

• Policy changes are at the heart of the issue. President Trump froze Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding on his first day in office, pending a federal review. Although a judge has temporarily reinstated some funding, the sector remains on shaky ground.

• Congressional actions are adding to the uncertainty, with a new budget bill aiming to shorten the lifespan of clean energy tax credits and limit their use especially for projects with ties to Chinese supply chains.

• Economic impact: The cancelled projects were expected to create about 7,800 jobs, with many losses hitting Republican-led districts that had previously benefited from clean energy investments.

Industry Concerns
Clean energy groups warn that continued uncertainty could lead to even more delays, halted construction, and lost job opportunities. As Michael Timberlake of E2 put it, “If this self-inflicted and unnecessary market uncertainty continues, we’ll almost certainly see more projects paused, more construction halted, and more job opportunities disappear.”

Without policy stability and support, the U.S. risks losing momentum in its clean energy transition, threatening both climate goals and economic growth in the sector.

1 . Poland Makes Waves: €6 Billion Secured for Baltic Offshore Wind Giants

Poland Makes Waves: €6 Billion Secured for Baltic Offshore Wind Giantsturing capacity by 2029, according to a new analysis by Wood Mackenzie. 

These two projects will have a combined capacity of 1,440 MW, marking a significant milestone and setting a new benchmark for the offshore wind sector in the region.

Project Highlights:

1.  Developers: Equinor and Polenergia

2. Investment: €6 billion

3. Projects: Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3

4. Location: Baltic Sea, Poland

5. Combined Capacity: 1,440 MW

This major investment represents a key step forward for Poland’s renewable energy ambitions and underscores the growing importance of offshore wind in Europe’s clean energy transition.

2. Bondada Engineering Wins ₹9,000 Crore Solar Power Mega Project

Bondada Engineering Ltd. has announced a major milestone, winning a solar power project valued at ₹9,000 crore. This significant contract is set to boost the company’s position in India’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector.

Project Highlights:

• Value: ₹9,000 crore (approx. $1.08 billion)

• Scope: Development, engineering, and construction of a large-scale solar power project

• Impact: The project will contribute to India’s renewable energy targets and provide a substantial boost to Bondada Engineering’s order book.

Why It Matters:
This contract underscores Bondada Engineering’s expertise and growing presence in the solar sector, while also supporting India’s clean energy ambitions. The project is expected to create jobs, drive innovation, and help meet the country’s increasing demand for sustainable power.

3. Envision Energy Unveils Next-Gen Solutions for Long-Term Energy Storage

At The smarter E 2025 event, Envision Energy made headlines by unveiling three innovative products aimed at transforming long-duration energy storage and supporting the global shift to renewable power.

1. EN 8 Pro Energy Storage Container

• Capacity: 8 MWh per container

• Innovation: Packs 60% more energy than Envision’s 5 MWh container, within the same footprint

• Energy Density: 240 Wh per liter, making it the most energy-dense product on the market

2. EN ACSkid-10000 Power Conversion System (PCS)

• Feature: Includes black start capability, allowing systems to restart independently in the event of a blackout

3. EN 5 Pro All-in-One String PCS

• Capacity: 5 MWh

• Design: Integrated solution for flexible deployment

Industry Impact:
Envision Energy’s Chief Engineer, Dr. Kotub Uddin, emphasized the leap in energy density, while Senior VP Kevin Huang highlighted the importance of Intersolar as a platform to connect with customers and share their vision for a net-zero future.

Sustainability Commitment:
Chief Sustainability Officer Alex Sun announced that Envision Energy achieved its RE100 goal—committing to 100% renewable energy—one year ahead of schedule.

These innovations strengthen Envision’s leadership in sustainable energy storage and support the global transition to renewable power.

4. Angola Launches Largest Privately-Owned Solar Project

Construction has officially started on the Quilemba photovoltaic power plant, a 35 MW solar project near Lubango in southern Angola. This marks a significant step forward for Angola’s renewable energy ambitions.

Project Highlights:

• Developers: Quilemba Solar Lda, a joint venture between TotalEnergies (51%), Sonangol (30%), and Maurel & Prom (19%)

• Capacity: 35 MW in the first phase, with plans to add another 45 MW in a potential second phase

• Timeline: The plant is expected to begin operations in the first half of next year

Significance:

• The Quilemba project is set to become the largest privately-owned solar power plant in Angola.

• Angola’s total installed solar capacity reached 362 MW by the end of last year, up from 310 MW the previous year.

• This project follows the inauguration of a 25.3 MW solar plant in eastern Angola last May, as part of the country’s broader goal to deploy 370 MW of solar nationwide.

  
  The new Quilemba plant will play a crucial role in expanding Angola’s clean energy portfolio, supporting national targets for renewable power, and providing a model for private investment in the region’s energy sector.

1. Floating Forward: SeaTwirl Unveils Game-Changing Offshore Wind Technology

Swedish energy-tech company SeaTwirl has introduced a revolutionary two-bladed, vertical-axis floating offshore wind turbine, designed to transform wind power generation in deep-water locations.

What Makes It Unique?

• Vertical-Axis Design: Unlike traditional turbines, SeaTwirl’s model rotates around a vertical axis, offering greater stability and compactness for offshore use.

• Integrated Floating Structure: The turbine’s tower and spar are combined into a single rotating unit, lowering the center of gravity and reducing the need for heavy, expensive floating platforms.

• Easy Maintenance: Key components, like the generator, are positioned just above the water, making them accessible for repairs with smaller, local vessels—cutting operational costs.

• Simplified Installation: The two-blade design can be assembled flat on the ground, eliminating the need for large cranes and enabling construction at smaller shipyards.

• Fewer Moving Parts: With no pitch or yaw systems, the design is more reliable and requires less maintenance.

• Cost-Effective: The streamlined structure uses less steel and infrastructure, making it more affordable and scalable for offshore wind projects.

Industry Impact:

• SeaTwirl has secured €15 million in EU funding for a full-scale demonstration, reflecting strong support for innovative offshore wind solutions.

• The technology is especially suited for deep-sea locations and markets that are hard to electrify, helping to cut emissions in challenging sectors.

SeaTwirl’s vertical-axis floating turbine could accelerate the adoption of offshore wind power, offering a robust, maintainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional designs supporting the global shift to clean energy.

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