AGP Executive Report

AI power scramble in West Texas: Chevron and Microsoft signed a 20-year natural gas power deal for Project Kilby, targeting up to 2.67 GW for Microsoft’s Pecos data center campus, with first power expected in 2028 and major turbine supply from GE Vernova plus Solar Turbines. Grid buildout in New York: Smart Path Connect transmission work linking the Moses-Saunders dam area to Central New York is complete, a nearly $1B upgrade to move more clean power reliably. Energy storage momentum: OCI Energy closed about $130M in tax equity for a 120 MW / 480 MWh Alamo City BESS in Texas, while Ore Energy agreed for 1 GWh iron-air storage in the Netherlands with a 400 MWh first phase in 2028. Reliability and safety: A transformer failure at a Medway, Massachusetts energy storage site sent a worker to hospital and triggered cleanup, while Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub explosion killed 13 and injured dozens, with LNG exports said to be unaffected. Policy pressure on data centers: Virginia lawmakers advanced a budget compromise adding a data center electricity consumption tax, and Wisconsin Conservation Voters launched an accountability push against WE Energies over rate hikes and new gas plants. Geothermal + critical minerals: Gradient Geothermal will supply its HXC system for an integrated geothermal and lithium-style project in East Texas, pairing brine heat recovery with power generation. Regional energy diplomacy: Bangladesh says it has 7.63 Tcf gas reserves but faces a daily supply deficit of 1,146 MMcfd, and it is reviewing a joint 683 MW hydropower project with Nepal.

AI & Grid Strain: US regulators and lawmakers are pushing to speed power connections for AI data centers, while a House committee moves toward “ratepayer protection” rules so customers don’t carry the bill. Energy Storage for Firm Power: Phoenix Motor launched EdisonFuture GridStor™ to serve AI, data centers and microgrids with utility-scale batteries, as Ore Energy signed a 1GWh iron-air deal. Renewables Scaling: SECI signed its first 700 MW C&I renewable term sheet with Acme Cleantech, and floating solar demand keeps rising—India could rank among the top floating solar markets soon. Transmission & HVDC Tech: Nitride Global and OmniPower inked an MOU to commercialize HVDC grid development using next-gen semiconductor materials. Geothermal Digital Twins: Fervo, PNNL and NVIDIA will build an AI-driven geothermal digital twin platform to accelerate enhanced geothermal development. Project Finance & Buildouts: EIB is considering up to 1.6 GW of Egypt renewables with storage, while Envision Energy and AMEA Power agreed on Egypt’s 500 MW Amunet II wind. Storms & Reliability: Severe storms in Indiana caused widespread outages, underscoring grid resilience needs. Policy & Geopolitics: Malaysia signaled it will deepen sensitive energy cooperation while managing sanctions risks; Canada advanced a strategy to expand large-scale nuclear reactors and export Candu tech.

AI & Power Demand: Philippine “Pax Silica” in New Clark City could need at least 5 GW for AI data centers, pushing BCDA to consider power sources outside the enclave. Grid Bottlenecks & Off-Grid Buildout: In the US, at least 46 data centers are pursuing behind-the-meter natural gas generation totaling 56 GW as communities and queues slow grid connections. Renewables vs Transmission: Northern Maine’s wind push faces years of grid lock; a new Aroostook County RFP aims to move projects from concept to reality but hinges on getting power south. Energy Security & Geopolitics: A US Interior deal would buy out Invenergy’s offshore wind leases, redirecting funds to other domestic energy; meanwhile, Russia-occupied Crimea is rolling out scheduled outages amid grid damage. Policy & Markets: Bangladesh plans to buy two more LNG spot cargoes in July to meet demand; Pakistan’s National Assembly approved Rs 661.27bn in energy-sector grants. Clean Power Projects: Oman’s “Imtidad” launches its first community solar station with bill credits; Egypt’s Infinity Power signs EPC deals for ~774 MWp solar in South Africa and module supply for Egypt’s Nefer project. Nuclear & Storage Outlook: India hosts the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram (June 25–26), spotlighting energy security, access, and storage growth.

Energy Finance: Malaysia’s Tenaga Nasional (TNB) says two 2026 sukuk sales for energy transition—RM1bn for solar and RM1.5bn for hydro—were oversubscribed by 5x, signaling strong investor appetite for “bankable” renewables. Grid & Storage: Delhi has received in-principle approval for five battery energy storage systems totaling 97.5MW/195MWh to cut peak stress and boost renewables. Policy & Power Mix: India’s coal gasification push is accelerating, with incentives of about ₹46,000 crore and 35+ firms expected to start within two months. Renewables Push in Asia: Tripura targets an extra 11MW of solar in 2026-27 by installing panels across government offices and local bodies. Regional Access: ECOWAS Parliament backed a renewable roadmap for rural electrification via mini-grids/off-grid systems and stronger financing. Nuclear Safety Watch: The IAEA says Zaporizhzhia’s external power was restored after another off-site power loss. Market Signals: China’s energy storage firms are seeing a surge in overseas orders as US and Europe prioritize grid resilience. Local Disputes: Missouri cities argue a coal plant shutdown left residents facing steep power bill hikes. Home Power Reality Check: A US homeowner’s solar redesign dispute highlights how contracts and production guarantees can clash with panel-count changes. Tech & Demand: Hong Kong’s AI boom is colliding with long-running electricity deficits, raising questions on energy-aware planning.

Solar in the Philippines: A Quezon parish in Pagbilao installed a new 10-kilowatt on-grid solar system for its rectory, lifting total capacity to 25 kW to cut bills and boost stewardship. Global solar surge: Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2026 says solar additions rose 33% in 2025, with China driving most of the growth and fossil generation falling globally for the first time. China’s renewable overcapacity shakeout: State-linked firms are dumping stakes in solar, wind and storage as oversupply pressures prices and losses. Nuclear grid reliability in conflict zones: The IAEA says Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant lost off-site power again (20th time) and later had external power restored; emergency diesel generators kicked in. Energy policy push in Delaware: House Bill 445 would require large energy users (30 MW+) to generate at least 25% of their own power before grid connection, aiming for 100% in-state generation within 10 years. Grid stress in the Philippines: Cebu’s Visayas supply tightness is expected to push June power rates higher due to higher Wesm costs and generation procurement pressures. Community solar in Oman: Oman’s “Imtidad” programme will let subscribers get bill credits from community solar stations without installing panels. Data center power buildout (India): Kirloskar Oil Engines won a large order for 192 MW of backup power systems for HyperNext’s AI-ready hyperscale data centers. Storm outages (US): Heavy storms left at least 17,000 CPS Energy customers without power in San Antonio.

Renewables Dealmaking (India): SECI and MahaGenco Renewable Energy signed an MoU to jointly develop firm and round-the-clock renewables, BESS, pumped storage and green hydrogen, targeting a pipeline of up to 5 GW. Grid & Renewables Buildout (India): Tamil Nadu approved five dedicated renewable energy zones under TNGECL to speed solar and wind approvals and cut regional delays. Corporate Clean Power Push (India): Reliance says it’s shifting its New Energy buildout from construction to commissioning, with solar PV cell/module production now underway at Jamnagar. AI Power Demand (India): Kirloskar Oil Engines won a large order for 192 MW of high-capacity power systems for HyperNext’s AI-ready hyperscale data centres. Energy Security Under Fire (Crimea): Drone strikes reportedly hit the Tavriyska 470-MW thermal plant and fuel/gas infrastructure in temporarily occupied Crimea, with satellite-detected fires and reported outages. Offshore Wind Legal Setback (US): State AGs and allies prevailed against Trump-era moves to halt offshore wind approvals, with a federal appeal abandoned. Waste-to-Energy (Philippines): The DOE raised its special WTE auction target to 400 MW and extended deadlines to draw more bidders. Rooftop Solar Momentum (India): Odisha’s Ganjam district reported nearly 3,000 households with zero electricity bills after rooftop solar installations.

Grid Speed for AI Data Centers: FERC ordered six US grid operators to justify or rewrite rules for connecting large users like AI data centers, aiming to cut delays and speed “power to load.” US Clean Power Transmission: SunZia’s 550-mile HVDC line is now fully operational, moving up to 3,000 MW of wind power to the Southwest—enough for about 1 million homes. Nuclear SMR Push in Ohio: Elementl Power signed an early works deal with GE Vernova Hitachi for BWRX-300 SMRs at a planned up-to-1.5 GW site in Meigs County. Battery Storage Goes Long-Duration: REV Renewables commissioned California’s Tumbleweed 8-hour storage facility, built with CCAs to boost grid reliability. Renewables Policy in West Africa: ECOWAS set a target of 48% renewables by 2030, alongside efforts to cut high electricity losses. Energy Security via Regional Power Links: Nepal and Bangladesh marked renewed power flow, calling for deeper long-term energy partnership. Storm Impacts: Destructive weather left thousands without power across parts of Kentucky and Southport, with restoration underway. Oil Market Watch: Oil rose as US-Iran talks were delayed and Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic slowed.

AI Grid Hookups: US regulators ordered faster power connections for energy-hungry AI data centers, aiming to speed “speed to power” while keeping states in charge of retail rates. Clean Energy Buildout: Pattern Energy’s SunZia wind and transmission project in New Mexico/Arizona is now fully operational after nearly two decades, a rare win for US renewables infrastructure. Offshore Wind Deal: Amazon and Skyborn closed a record 600MW PPA for Germany’s Gennaker offshore wind farm, backing construction toward end-2028 commissioning. Energy Security Shock: The Strait of Hormuz reopened, but analysts warn insecurity remains—highlighting how limited bypass routes keep global oil and LNG flows exposed. Nuclear Policy Push: Philippines DOE is drafting “perks” to guide early nuclear developers with cost-recovery assurances tied to its auction-style framework. Storage Momentum (India): IESA projects India’s C&I battery storage could jump from under 1GWh (2025) to 23–31GWh by 2032 as reliability needs and renewable growth accelerate. Regional Grid Integration (Africa): World Bank approved $1.6bn for Eastern Africa market integration and a day-ahead power market to expand cross-border trade and reliability. Power Prices & Reliability: Heat and tight supply are pushing European power prices higher, while Ukraine reports outages in multiple regions after Russian strikes.

AI Grid Push: The US FERC ordered six regional grid operators to speed large-load connections, aiming to cut the power queue for AI data centers and other major users while addressing who pays for transmission upgrades. Data Center Backlash: The same surge is driving public pressure over electricity and water use, with regulators also pushing transparency so households aren’t subsidizing tech growth. Modular Geothermal for AI: Critical Energy raised $22m to build factory-style modular geothermal plants for data centers, targeting commercial operations in 2027. Nuclear Momentum: Texas A&M granted Terrestrial Energy 77 acres to support small modular reactor development at the RELLIS Energy Proving Ground. Renewables in Egypt: Envision Energy and AMEA Power signed for a 500MW Amunet II wind project, lifting AMEA’s Egypt wind portfolio to 1GW. Regional Power Planning: Moldova advanced the Straseni–Gutinas “Liberty Line” 400kV link with US support to strengthen grid ties to Romania and Europe. Storm Impacts: Severe weather triggered outages and early closures across parts of the US, including thousands without power in the Southeast.

Grid Reliability Under Fire (US): NV Energy said it de-energized transmission and distribution lines during the Navato brush fire near Sparks, Nevada, to support firefighters—impacting about 70,000 customers across Washoe County—while severe storms also knocked out thousands in Indiana and Kentucky, including tornado-hit areas. Energy Security & Transition (Africa): At the Africa Energy Forum, the focus shifted to “energy certainty” for industrial growth, with storage and grid flexibility highlighted as the missing link for renewables at scale. Project Finance (Europe): The World Bank backed North Macedonia’s REK Bitola 1 cogeneration prep work, while Lithuania pledged €7m for Ukraine reconstruction, including solar-plus-storage for schools and hospitals. Gas & LNG Moves (Southern Africa): Zululand Energy Terminal advanced South Africa’s LNG push with ExxonMobil, building on an Eskom-linked foundation customer plan tied to a 3,000MW gas-to-power programme. Storage for Solar Integration (India): Ember says India needs ~10 GWh of battery storage now to cut renewable curtailment caused by coal plants’ minimum operating limits. Data-Center Power Demand (Global): Reports project India’s solar demand could grow ~22% CAGR to FY35 as data centers and AI expand, with solar potentially supplying a third of consumption. Storm Aftermath (Liberia): EU’s “Light Up Greenville” reached a meters milestone, delivering single- and three-phase devices to enable new connections.

Grid & Reliability: Xcel Energy asked Colorado regulators to extend the aging Comanche 2 coal plant another 15 months (to March 2028), arguing supply crunches and rising peak demand from EVs and heat pumps. Regulation & Data Centers: The U.S. FERC is set to rewrite how “large loads” (over 20 MW, including data centers) connect to the interstate grid, with a June end-of-month deadline that could shift who pays for transmission upgrades and how fast interconnection studies move. Energy Transition Backlash: The Trump administration will pay Invenergy $765 million to terminate four early offshore wind leases, redirecting funds toward faster-build fossil and geothermal options. Coal’s Comeback: Analysts say Middle East conflict disruptions are helping keep global thermal coal demand roughly flat in 2026, with gains expected in China and especially India. Renewables Policy Fight: Arizona’s Court of Appeals struck down APS rooftop-solar fees as discriminatory, while Delaware lawmakers advanced rules to keep data-center grid costs from being pushed onto residents and small businesses. Storage & Solar Buildout: India’s Geon completed commissioning of a 2.88 GWh BESS in Khavda, and Botswana is moving ahead with its first large solar plant (100 MW) targeting 2027. Local Power Events: After a 7.8 quake, Alsons Power restored both units at its Sarangani Energy Corp coal plant within days; severe storms also drove widespread outages in Ohio and Illinois.

Grid Reliability & Outages: NV Energy reported a widespread outage affecting nearly 70,000 customers in Washoe County, with crews investigating causes after earlier fire-related deactivation in Sparks. Transmission & Offshore Wind: Germany’s 50Hertz awarded Siemens Energy/NSORe a contract for a 2 GW offshore converter platform for North Sea Connector 2, targeting service by end-2034. Energy Storage Supply: Prevalon secured a multi-year supply agreement with AESC to support up to 10 GWh of utility-scale battery storage deployments over three years. Data Centers & Behind-the-Meter Power: TAR raised $27m to build modular, behind-the-meter renewable-plus-storage power systems for data centers, aiming for 24/7 supply with fast deployment. Nuclear Policy: Türkiye said it wants nuclear power at competitive prices with safe, high-domestic-content technology, targeting 20 GW by 2050. Africa Power Integration: South Africa’s Ramokgopa urged turning cross-border electricity plans into bankable projects to unlock investment and move from “aspiration” to delivery. Renewables Grid Upgrades: Egypt and the EU agreed a €690m package to expand and modernize Egypt’s electricity grid to integrate 22 GW of renewables by 2030. South Asia Investment Signals: Bangladesh’s planning adviser said investor confidence, deregulation, financing, and energy security are key to reviving investment under the 2026–27 budget.

LNG Bunkering Buildout: CMA CGM and Capital Clean Energy Carriers are forming a 50-50 JV to construct and operate a 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel, with delivery targeted for Q3 2028 and a 12-year charter planned with a CMA–TotalEnergies JV. AI Power Permitting Clash: The US Justice Department is seeking to dismiss a Clean Air Act lawsuit over xAI’s Mississippi data-center gas plant, arguing the project is needed for national security and the economy. Grid-Scale Flexibility Push: India’s Ember warns the country needs about 10 GWh of battery storage to prevent renewable curtailment driven by coal plants’ minimum output limits. Solar-Plus-Storage Expansion: Bondada Engineering won a ₹1,338-crore EPC deal for a 250 MW solar PV project with 50 MW/200 MWh BESS in Uttar Pradesh. UK Jobs + Batteries: After G7 talks, Keir Starmer backed a package including £1bn for battery storage and flexible energy projects to keep power available during peak demand. Remote Resilience in Australia: Windorah in Queensland is powering its isolated grid with an 850 kW solar farm plus a 1 MW battery, cutting diesel fuel use by more than 50%. EU–Egypt Transmission Upgrade: The EU and Egypt agreed up to €690m to modernize transmission and help integrate up to 22 GW of renewables by 2030. Data Center Power Scrutiny: Reuters reports many data-center-dedicated gas plants are moving through permitting with limited review, raising concerns about oversight and environmental process.

Geopolitics & Nuclear Fuel: The UK will finance enriched uranium deliveries to Ukraine’s Energoatom via Urenco under a £210m package, while also tightening sanctions on Russia’s “ghost fleet” to protect Ukraine’s winter energy resilience. Grid Resilience & Solar Integration: A UK-focused resilience brief argues the next phase is not just adding generation, but designing systems to handle shocks and variability as solar becomes a dominant supply source. AI Power Demand & Data Centers: Schneider Electric and Foxconn will co-develop scalable AI data center power and cooling architectures, aiming for faster, more predictable deployments. Long-Duration Storage: Energy Dome and SRP will add a 19MW/10-hour CO2 battery under a 20-year tolling deal, backed by Google funding for non-lithium long-duration storage. Renewables Policy Push: ECOWAS lawmakers launched a renewable energy push to make electricity access central to rural development and poverty reduction. EV Charging Rollout: Concerns in Ireland’s Mayo highlight too few public EV chargers and slow charging times, slowing adoption. China Industrial Transition: China plans a three-year drive to cut industrial energy use, including capped power price increases for energy-intensive sectors to force upgrades. Battery & Solar Deals: OMV Petrom approved a €300m Bulgaria solar-plus-storage project with ~600MWh of BESS, while India’s Gilgit-Baltistan gets a push for a 100MW solar build with full federal cost coverage.

Nuclear Power Revival: Georgia Power won NRC license extensions for the Edwin I. Hatch plant, adding two more decades for both units and reinforcing nuclear’s role in meeting rising demand. Clean Power Procurement: Missoula, Bozeman and Missoula County are drafting a voluntary “Green Power Program” with NorthWestern Energy to let customers buy carbon-free electricity directly. Renewables With Indigenous Ownership: Saskatchewan’s Rose Valley wind project (200 MW) starts construction with majority Indigenous ownership, backed by SaskPower and a long-term PPA. Grid Reliability Funding: Texas announced a Texas Energy Fund grant to harden Southeast Texas distribution—targeting storm and flood resilience for 538,000 Entergy Texas customers. SMR Supply Chain: Rolls-Royce beat rivals to supply Sweden’s Videberg Kraft with three SMRs, signaling renewed European momentum for small nuclear. Power Prices Under Pressure: New analysis warns US cooling costs could hit record highs this summer as grids modernize and data centers expand. Consumer Costs & Competition: New Zealand’s Powerswitch/Consumer NZ says many households may be paying a “loyalty tax,” with retailers’ offers varying widely. Geopolitics Meets Energy: A US-Iran ceasefire framework is reshaping regional risk around shipping and energy flows, while analysts warn disruptions could linger through 2027. Storm Impacts: Severe weather left thousands without power across parts of the US, including Butler County and Central Virginia.

Geopolitics and energy shock: A new analysis warns the US-Iran escalation is turning into a long-running disruption across energy, shipping, fertilizer, food and finance, with global growth risks extending into 2027 even if fighting eases. Grid and renewables finance: South Africa’s PV industry group SAPVIA says Eskom Green is welcome but grid access must be equitable; meanwhile developers report curtailment is rising sharply and squeezing cash flows. AI’s power hunger: A report highlights how AI demand is already reshaping electricity forecasts, with data centres needing power, cooling, substations and backup generation. Inflation link to energy: India’s wholesale inflation jumped to 9.68% in May, driven mainly by fuel and power costs (30.33% inflation in that segment). Project and policy moves: EU launched the €25bn T-MED clean energy initiative; India unveiled a wind supply-chain portal (WT-MARUT) to boost domestic manufacturing; and Sembcorp completed its $4.32bn Alinta Energy acquisition, adding 3.4 GW operating capacity and 10.4 GW in development. Local power realities: Philippines pushes solar expansion but remote communities still risk being left off-grid; Michigan’s Calkins Dam sale faces a recommended rejection by a judge. Corporate clean power: Okinawa Coca-Cola started operating a large rooftop solar system (“Kary Roof”) to cut emissions by about 330 tons a year.