Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-09-23
The US is on track for a record 86 GW of new utility-scale clean capacity in 2026, while China's installed renewables hit 2.455 TW. Meta signed a 144-MW Texas solar PPA with Apex Clean Energy amid surging data-center demand, and reNIKOLA locked in a 30-year PPA for a 363 MWp solar project in Sarawak, Malaysia. In policy news, Maharashtra clarified its renewable and storage targets, and a new Nature Energy paper argues EU green hydrogen policy should account for spatial spillovers.
Renewable Energy Weekly — 2026-09-23
Top Stories
US poised for record 86 GW expansion in 2026
- What happened: US developers are planning 86 GW of utility-scale generating capacity in 2026, spanning solar, wind, and battery storage — the largest planned expansion on record for the US market.
- Why it matters: Record planned additions signal that federal policy shifts and tax credit changes have not derailed the build-out pipeline, and that storage is increasingly paired with solar development.
- Scale: 86 GW of planned utility-scale capacity
China's renewables reach 2.455 TW, solar overtakes coal
- What happened: China's renewable capacity reached 2.455 TW by mid-2026, with solar capacity overtaking coal by July, as the country races toward a 3.5 TW target.
- Why it matters: Solar outpacing coal in installed capacity in the world's largest power system marks a symbolic and structural turning point for global decarbonization.
- Scale: 2.455 TW installed renewables, targeting 3.5 TW
Meta signs 144-MW Texas solar PPA with Apex Clean Energy
- What happened: Meta signed a power purchase agreement for the 144-MW Starling solar project in Texas with Apex Clean Energy, as data centers and other large power users drive electricity demand higher.
- Why it matters: Hyperscaler demand continues to anchor utility-scale solar economics, with tech companies now among the largest corporate offtakers of new renewable capacity in the US.
- Scale: 144 MW PPA in Texas
reNIKOLA signs 30-year PPA for 363 MWp Sarawak solar project
- What happened: reNIKOLA Gedong Solar Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of reNIKOLA Holdings, signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with Syarikat Sesco Berhad for a 363 MWp solar project in Sarawak, Malaysia.
- Why it matters: One of Malaysia's larger solar commitments, it strengthens Borneo's role as a growing renewable hub beyond Peninsular Malaysia.
- Scale: 363 MWp, 30-year PPA
Project Tracker
| Project | Type | Capacity | Location | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starling Solar (Meta/Apex) | Solar | 144 MW | Texas, USA | PPA signed | |
| Gedong Solar (reNIKOLA) | Solar | 363 MWp | Sarawak, Malaysia | PPA signed | |
| Gobustan Solar Plant | Solar | 100 MW | Azerbaijan | Commissioned | Link |
| Kungrad Wind Project | Wind | — | Uzbekistan | Announced (under development) |
Policy & Regulation
- India (Maharashtra): The state has clarified its renewable energy and storage policy targets, giving developers firmer guidance on state-level capacity goals.
- European Union: A new Nature Energy analysis finds realized green hydrogen demand lags policy targets and argues revising EU policies — including Hydrogen Bank mechanisms — to account for spatial spillovers could accelerate adoption.
Investment & Finance
- Meta / Apex Clean Energy: Corporate PPA for the Starling solar project in Texas, 144 MW, driven by data center power demand.
- ACWA Power / RWE / Premier Energies: Announcements this week include new project and operational updates from the trio as part of a broader renewables news roundup covering the Kungrad wind project in Uzbekistan.
Technology Spotlight
Green hydrogen's demand problem is getting fresh analytical attention: a Nature Energy paper argues that spatially informed policies — accounting for demand-side interdependencies where adoption by one user encourages nearby users — can accelerate lagging hydrogen offtake. Separately, industry commentary highlights that underinvestment and slow electrolyzer progress are limiting green hydrogen supply, delaying low-carbon fertilizers for agriculture.
What to Watch Next Week
--US federal ructions aside, watch how the record 86 GW US pipeline progresses toward financial close, particularly solar-plus-storage projects
- IRENA and IEA Seeking Renewables and Energy Intelligence trackers for September 22–23 daily renewable generation data reported by CAISO, ERCOT, and PJM.
- Australian renewable developer outreach continues as farmers weigh large-scale projects on agricultural land — watch for new landholder agreements following this week's reporting.
Screenshot-based extraction from the IEA news page was incomplete (blocked by a Cloudflare challenge), so no IEA-sourced items are included this week — verify directly at .
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.
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