Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-11-08
Renewable Energy Weekly|3 min read8.7AI quality score — automatically evaluated based on accuracy, depth, and source quality
India’s Union Cabinet approved ₹14,500 crore in viability gap funding for 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage, marking a major policy shift toward battery and pumped hydro deployment. In the US, solar and wind accounted for over 95% of new power capacity in Q1 2026, with FERC forecasting a 133 GW expansion by 2029. South Africa registered over 3,100 MW of new renewable projects with an investment value of R78.16 billion.
Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-11-08
Top Stories
India’s Cabinet Approves ₹14,500 Crore for Grid-Scale Storage
- What happened: The Union Cabinet approved a viability gap funding scheme worth ₹14,500 crore to support the development of 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage systems. This includes 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), 60 GWh of pumped storage projects, and 2 GWh based on emerging technologies.
- Why it matters: This initiative is critical for improving renewable integration and domestic manufacturing capabilities. It addresses the urgent need for storage to manage intermittent solar and wind generation, supporting India’s target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- Scale: ₹14,500 crore ($17.5 billion approx.) investment; 92 GWh total capacity.
Solar and Wind Drive 95% of New US Power Capacity
- What happened: Solar and wind energy accounted for more than 95 percent of new electricity generating capacity installed in the United States in Q1 2026. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) forecasts a total expansion of 133 GW by 2029.
- Why it matters: This data underscores the dominance of renewables in new US power generation, signaling a decisive shift away from fossil fuels for new capacity additions. It validates the economic competitiveness of clean energy technologies in the world’s second-largest economy.
- Scale: 95% of new capacity in Q1 2026; 133 GW projected expansion by 2029.
South Africa Registers R78.16 Billion in Renewable Projects
- What happened: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) registered 2,045 MW of solar PV, 1,063 MW of wind power, and 3 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a total investment value of R78.16 billion.
- Why it matters: This significant pipeline demonstrates continued investor confidence in South Africa’s renewable sector despite grid constraints. It highlights the scale of private capital flowing into the country’s energy transition.
- Scale: 3,108 MW total capacity; R78.16 billion (~$4.2 billion) investment.
Project Tracker
| Project | Type | Capacity | Location | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NERSA Registered Projects | Solar/Wind/BESS | 3,108 MW | South Africa | Registered | |
| Waaree O&M Contract | Solar | 360 MWp | India | Operational | |
| US New Capacity (Q1) | Solar/Wind | >95% of new | United States | Operational |
Policy & Regulation
- India: The Union Cabinet cleared ₹14,500 crore funding for battery and pumped hydro storage projects to support 92 GWh of capacity. Additionally, the government plans to introduce mandatory energy storage rules for power distributors by March, requiring them to procure storage to reduce renewable curtailment
- Türkiye: The country has set a target of 175 GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2040. Cumulative solar capacity reached approximately 26.9 GW by the end of H1 2026, with 2.1 GW added in the first six months of the year
Investment & Finance
- Waaree Renewable Technologies: Signed a five-year operations and maintenance (O&M) deal for a 360 MWp solar project. This reflects the growing market for long-term service contracts in India’s solar sector
- India Q3 Investment: Renewable energy investment in India rose 21 percent to ₹50,241 crore in Q3 2026, driven by expanding solar and wind capacity
Technology Spotlight
- US Storage Integration: Over 16% of new utility-scale solar capacity in the US is now co-located with battery storage in 2026, with projections exceeding 30% by 2028. This trend highlights the increasing necessity of hybrid plants to provide firm, dispatchable clean power
What to Watch Next Week
- Türkiye Tenders: Final details on upcoming wind and solar tenders expected to attract $2 billion in investment are anticipated.
- India Storage Mandates: Further clarification on the specific percentage requirements for state utilities under the new mandatory storage rules.
- South Africa Implementation: Progress updates on the implementation of the R78.16 billion registered projects by NERSA.
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