Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-05-11
Adani Green Energy commissioned a new 150 MW solar project at India's Khavda renewable energy complex today, the latest addition to a site planned to reach 30 GW by 2029. The EU's third European Hydrogen Bank auction allocated 1.1 GW of electrolyzer capacity across nine projects with bids as low as €0.44/kg, underscoring rapid cost declines in green hydrogen. Meanwhile, the IEA released a new report praising Portugal's low-carbon electricity system while calling for faster electrification.
Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-05-11
Top Stories
Adani Commissions 150 MW Solar at India's Khavda 30 GW Mega-Park
- What happened: Adani Green Energy commissioned a 150 MW solar project at the Khavda renewable energy complex in Gujarat, India. The site is planned to ultimately reach 30 GW of installed capacity by 2029, making it one of the largest renewable energy parks in the world.
- Why it matters: Khavda represents a landmark in utility-scale renewable development. Each incremental commissioning brings India closer to its ambitious clean energy targets, and the scale of the project signals continued strong private investment in domestic solar manufacturing and deployment.
- Scale: 150 MW newly commissioned; overall Khavda complex targeting 30 GW by 2029.
EU's Third Hydrogen Bank Auction Allocates 1.1 GW at Record-Low €0.44/kg Bid
- What happened: The European Commission concluded its third European Hydrogen Bank auction, selecting nine projects across seven countries and allocating €1.09 billion in support. The auction was significantly oversubscribed, attracting 58 bids from 11 countries. The lowest bid came in at €0.44/kg — a new benchmark for green hydrogen cost competitiveness.
- Why it matters: The dramatic oversubscription and record-low bid price signal that green hydrogen is rapidly maturing as a commercially viable energy carrier. Each successive auction has pushed prices lower, helping de-risk the sector and attract institutional capital. The 1.1 GW of electrolyzer capacity awarded will contribute meaningfully to EU decarbonization goals.
- Scale: 1.1 GW electrolyzer capacity; €1.09 billion in subsidies; 9 projects across 7 EU member states.
IEA Report: Portugal Achieves One of World's Lowest-Carbon Electricity Mixes, But Must Electrify Faster
- What happened: A new IEA review published May 11, 2026 found that Portugal has rapidly cleaned up its power sector, achieving one of the lowest-carbon electricity systems among IEA member countries, driven by strong growth in solar, wind, and hydropower. However, the report warned that Portugal must accelerate electrification across transport, heating, and industry to meet its climate goals.
- Why it matters: Portugal's progress demonstrates that aggressive renewable deployment can transform a national grid within a decade. The IEA's call for faster electrification reflects a broader global challenge: clean electricity is advancing, but end-use sectors are lagging behind.
- Scale: National-level policy review covering Portugal's entire electricity and energy system.
China Datang Brings 500 MW Solar Farm Online for Direct Data Center Supply
- What happened: China Datang has brought a 500 MW solar farm online as phase one of a larger integrated clean energy project. Phase one also includes a 1.5 GW wind farm component, which remains under construction and is scheduled for full-capacity grid connection in September 2026. The project is directly supplying data centers.
- Why it matters: The project is an early example of a large-scale, dedicated renewable supply chain connecting solar and wind generation directly to data center loads — a model likely to be replicated globally as AI infrastructure demand surges. Full project completion in September will add significant clean capacity to the Chinese grid.
- Scale: 500 MW solar operational; 1.5 GW wind under construction; expected full grid connection September 2026.
Project Tracker
| Project | Type | Capacity | Location | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adani Khavda Phase (latest) | Solar | 150 MW | Gujarat, India | Operational (commissioned May 11, 2026) | |
| China Datang Zhongwei Solar | Solar | 500 MW | China | Operational (Phase 1) | |
| China Datang Zhongwei Wind | Wind | 1,500 MW (1.5 GW) | China | Under construction (grid connection Sep 2026) | |
| Australia Western Australia CIS Tenders | Solar/Wind/Storage | 1.9 GW renewables + 3.7 GWh storage | Western Australia | Awarded | |
| SPIE / Voltalia / Statkraft projects | Various | Various | Europe | Multiple updates |
Policy & Regulation
-
Portugal / IEA: The IEA's country review of Portugal, published May 11, praised the country's low-carbon electricity progress but called for urgently accelerating electrification in transport, heating, and industrial sectors to stay on track for climate targets.
-
European Union: The third European Hydrogen Bank auction concluded this week with €1.09 billion awarded across nine projects and seven countries, with 1.1 GW of electrolyzer capacity allocated. The record-low bid of €0.44/kg signals cost deflation is accelerating in green hydrogen production. The auction was oversubscribed with 58 bids from 11 countries, indicating strong investor interest.
-
Australia (Western Australia): The Australian government awarded 1.9 GW of renewable energy capacity and 3.7 GWh of storage projects under the Capacity Investment Scheme to accelerate the clean energy transition in Western Australia.
Investment & Finance
-
Mubadala / Power Factors: Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company acquired a minority stake in Power Factors, a software provider for renewable energy asset management. The deal was made in partnership with existing investor Vista Equity Partners. The investment aligns with Mubadala's clean energy strategy and will support Power Factors' platform expansion.
-
Nel Hydrogen / Long-Duration Storage: Nel Hydrogen unveiled a new project to supply electrolyzers demonstrating how green hydrogen can store renewable power for long-duration energy applications, adding to a growing pipeline of hydrogen-as-storage projects across Europe.
Technology Spotlight
Norwegian Startup Tests Hybrid Solar-Wave-Wind Offshore System
Norway's Flex2Future has begun testing a scaled-down model of its offshore energy system in collaboration with research firm SINTEF. The system integrates solar, wave, and wind energy in a single offshore platform — a genuinely novel combination that could unlock power generation from ocean environments where no single renewable source is sufficient on its own. The startup's CEO says the system can deliver power at a relatively low cost per kWh. Testing is currently underway on a scaled prototype.
Rostock Pilot Plant Achieves Breakthrough in Salt-Based Green Hydrogen Storage
Germany's Akros Energy has successfully tested a pilot plant near Rostock that stores green hydrogen using salt — rather than high-pressure gas cylinders — enabling safer and potentially cheaper transport via bulk cargo ships. The approach, described as "baking powder for the energy transition," could significantly reduce the logistical cost barriers to green hydrogen trade if it scales successfully.
What to Watch Next Week
- China Datang Wind Farm Progress: Monitor construction updates on the 1.5 GW wind component of the Zhongwei data center supply project, with the September 2026 grid connection deadline approaching.
- EU Hydrogen Regulation Review: The European Commission's formal review of RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) green hydrogen rules was flagged for Q2 2026 — watch for official announcements on whether nuclear power will be eligible for hydrogen production under the revised ruleset.
- Australia Capacity Investment Scheme: Following the award of 1.9 GW / 3.7 GWh to Western Australia, watch for further CIS tender rounds or project financial close announcements as developers move toward construction start.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
