AGP Executive Report

Energy affordability & reliability: Maryland bills jumped 50.9% in five years, now 24% above the US average, as Governor Wes Moore blames utility “double dipping” and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing in-state supply and pushing imports (43%), raising blackout risk by summer 2027. Grid stress & governance: Pakistan’s regulator Nepra flagged mismatched demand projections and surplus capacity payments, warning of a self-reinforcing cycle of falling sales and higher per-unit costs. AI power demand hits policy: South Korea’s Kepco is seeking to get semiconductor makers to prepay five years of electricity bills to ease grid expansion debt, while Google’s €13bn Finland plan targets nuclear output, wind, batteries and new data centers. Nuclear & waste debate: A fresh look at nuclear’s comeback highlights the unresolved problem of spent-fuel disposal. Geopolitics on the wires: Russian strikes damaged Mykolaiv energy infrastructure, leaving districts without power; Zelensky warns of reciprocal energy retaliation this winter. Local outage flashpoints: Bohol (Philippines) called a stakeholder meeting over rotational brownouts; Georgia faces recurring disconnections tied to rising bills and summer heat. Renewables politics: Kerala’s CM promises a comprehensive October power policy focused on renewables and solar, while Lebanon’s ally warns against adding fees or restrictions on residential solar amid chronic outages. Market & investment signals: NuScale shares jumped on sector enthusiasm despite no commercial reactor; BRICS coverage keeps pushing “productive power” for Africa beyond raw exports.

Grid stress and bills in the US: Maryland electricity bills jumped 50.9% over five years, now 24% above the national average, as debate heats up over utility costs, data-center demand, and state decarbonization pushing Maryland to import 43% of power—raising fears of voltage collapse and rolling blackouts by summer 2027. Energy storage momentum: NTPC invited a global EOI for a pilot grid-connected sodium-ion battery energy storage system, while Sri Lanka’s energy minister said BESS rollout is accelerating to avoid an electricity crisis despite El Niño-linked rainfall uncertainty. Big new capacity and contracts: Guyana’s 300MW gas-to-energy plant is moving into start-up prep with Siemens Energy set as O&M operator; Tanzania’s Tanesco signed a Sh198.67bn deal for a 220kV line to end shortages in Songwe and Mbeya; India’s NPCL launched bids for 300MW round-the-clock renewable power. Storage tech breakthrough in China: the world’s largest salt-cavern compressed air project completed full-unit startup, positioning a “super power bank” for grid balancing. Geopolitics meets power: Ukraine warned of reciprocal strikes if Russia targets its energy grid this winter, while Iran-backed militias in Iraq were blamed for an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Local power politics: Kerala’s power crisis turned personal as former KSEB chief B. Ashok hit back at Vijayan over long-term power purchase deal cancellations.

Affordability Fight in Maryland: A new scorecard says Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% in five years, now 24% above the national average, as utilities cite data-center demand while critics blame state decarbonization rules that push imports and raise blackout risk into summer 2027. Grid Reliability in Nevada: NV Energy canceled all remaining PSOM Watch areas after improved fire-weather forecasts, leaving just four small zones under monitoring. Court Limits Coal “Emergency” Power: A U.S. appeals court ruled the Department of Energy exceeded its authority in ordering Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant to stay online, dealing a blow to efforts to prop up uneconomic coal. Data Centers vs. Power Politics: Residents are increasingly opposing new data centers, and the backlash could spill into stationary battery storage plans that automakers are selling to support AI loads. Energy Security in Conflict: Zelenskyy warned Russia that winter strikes on Ukraine’s grid will trigger retaliation, while also calling for an energy truce and safer Black Sea shipping. BRICS Power Shift: U.S. media framed BRICS as a window into a changing global order, with India trying to keep the bloc broad while China seeks leverage. Renewables on the Ground: Sri Lanka is moving ahead with a canal-top solar project over the Viyana Canal, aiming to cut land pressure and evaporation while boosting clean power.

Grid affordability & reliability: Maryland’s electricity bills jumped 50.9% over five years, now 24% above the US average, as utilities cite data-center demand and regulators warn of possible voltage collapse and rolling blackouts by summer 2027. UK grid upgrade pressure: Britain’s watchdog says up to £70bn is needed to modernize an ageing transmission network, warning delays could push costs higher for households. Data centers vs power systems: A chipmaker argues moratoriums are “short-sighted” and calls for energy-waste reporting, while separate analysis says “Bring Your Own Power” won’t fix data-center-driven cost and pollution. Regional power crises: Cebu businesses are adjusting hours and buying solar amid rotational brownouts; Pakistan’s PM ordered outages capped at two hours after RLNG disruptions. New generation & infrastructure: Azerbaijan says a 330kV Jabrayil–Aghband line (1GW capacity) is nearing completion as it builds the Zangezur corridor; Odisha is pushing small hydro with a Rs 2,584.6-crore scheme and grid upgrades. LNG expansion: Bangladesh plans new floating and land-based LNG regasification capacity by 2028 as demand rises. Energy markets & finance: Ukraine banks have financed ₴63.3bn for energy recovery, including 2.014GW of new generation and 895MW of storage. Project moves: Excelsior Energy Capital completed the sale of 525MW Faraday and Skyhawk solar plants to Enel for about $760m.

Maryland Energy Affordability Fight: Maryland’s electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now 24% above the national average, as Governor Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing reliable local generation and forcing imports—raising voltage-collapse and rolling-blackout fears by summer 2027. Grid Reliability vs. Rooftop Solar: Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar boom is stressing the grid, with midday overgeneration driving voltage swings and real-time balancing headaches. Clean Grid Tech Push: Hitachi Energy and Daikin are partnering to supply SF6-free insulating gas components for Hitachi’s EconiQ high-voltage gear, with production starting in 2027. AI Power Demand Politics: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met major utilities on grid security, pitching AI-based cyber services as power systems face growing cyber risk. Data Centers Hit the Bill: In the US, House GOP leaders plan to force tech firms to cover infrastructure costs tied to power-hungry data centers. Storage Buildout: Fidra Energy reached financial close on a 500MW/1.1GWh West Burton C BESS in the UK, targeting full operation in 2028. UK Grid Upgrade Warning: The UK’s National Audit Office says delaying transmission upgrades could add £100+ per household by 2031.

Grid & Policy Pressure: India’s power demand jumped 12.8% YoY in August to a record 169 BU, with peak demand up 12% to 258 GW as heat and rainfall deficits drive cooling loads; coal inventories also tightened sharply, shrinking days of supply. Storage Buildout: A new CareEdge view says India’s storage needs could rise to ~411 GWh by FY32 from ~54 GWh now, requiring massive investment as renewables integration worsens the “duck curve” and curtailment. Decentralized Renewables: India’s small hydro push targets ~1,500 MW of new SHP capacity under a 2026-27 to 2030-31 scheme, aiming to boost local jobs and power in remote areas. Rooftop Solar Rules: In the Philippines, ERC and Meralco pledged faster net-metering approvals after Senate complaints, with a proposal to speed inspections/approvals to 24 hours when feasible. AI Data Centers vs Power Supply: The Philippines unveiled a $34.4B AI+ infrastructure plan to scale data centers from ~50 MW to 1.5 GW by 2033, while U.S. analysts warn AI projects are outpacing grid growth. Clean Power Deals: Invenergy and HASI closed a strategic equity partnership backing a 2.7 GW U.S. wind/solar/solar-plus-storage portfolio; Silicon Ranch announced new Georgia solar projects for Georgia Power’s CARES program. Energy Reliability Costs: In the Philippines’ Visayas and Mindanao, coal plant outages pushed spot prices to 20-year highs, setting up higher September bills. EV Charging Economics: A report highlights how demand charges can dominate fast-charger operating costs, pushing operators toward battery-buffered charging solutions.

Nuclear Finance: The U.S. Department of Energy will loan NextEra up to $1.9B to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold plant, aiming to bring back 615 MW by 2029 and support a long-term PPA with Google. AI Power Demand: Google says it will invest €13B ($15.1B) in Finland for AI data centers and secure a 22-year nuclear power purchase deal, betting cold weather and stable supply can handle the electricity and cooling load. Grid Strain & Bills: Nevada’s data center boom is pushing scrutiny of NV Energy and fears that rising power costs will land on households, even as the state’s rates are relatively lower. Market Shock in the Philippines: In the Visayas and Mindanao, coal plant outages have driven WESM spot prices to record highs—+64.9% in the Visayas and +88% in Mindanao—raising the odds of higher bills and tighter supply. Regulatory & Rate Pressure: In Washington state, AG Nick Brown and UTC staff are challenging a proposed $2B Pacific Power/PGE sale, arguing customer net benefits and future rates aren’t proven. Renewables & Storage Policy: Australia’s Labor is easing its gas reservation scheme—still aimed at lowering bills—but delaying the start to July 2028 and backing away from a stricter mandatory export share. Local Reliability: Extreme heat and wildfire risk are triggering planned outage watches and conservation calls across parts of the U.S., from Nevada to Southern California.

Nuclear & AI Deal: Google struck a 22-year power purchase deal with Finland’s Fortum for up to 50% of output from the Loviisa nuclear plant, running through 2049, as Google plans at least €13bn for AI data centres and grid upgrades in 2027-2028—an early signal of big-tech locking in firm low-carbon power. Grid Reliability & Transmission: In the Philippines, Eastern Samar’s lawmaker is pushing DOE-backed upgrades including new 69kV and proposed 138kV lines to tackle low-voltage issues and curtailments, while Iloilo City is seeking generation additions and redundancy to reduce recurring interruptions on Panay. New Build Power in South Asia: Sri Lanka’s BOI cleared a BOOT 350MW combined-cycle project at Kerawalapitiya (US$291m), designed to start on diesel and switch to RLNG, with completion targeted within 42 months. Storage & Renewables Pipeline: Scotland’s Island Green Power won consent for a 500MW BESS at Abbotshaugh, aiming to strengthen grid resilience. Industrial Decarbonization: Food manufacturers are turning to electrified heat pumps and retrofit heat-recovery approaches to cut fossil heat use without creating operational load spikes. Policy & Market Signals: The FCC narrowed its foreign power-inverter restrictions to utility-interactive, remotely communicative units—important for solar and grid-tied equipment compliance.

US–Colombia Nuclear & Minerals: The two countries signed MoUs to deepen civil nuclear cooperation and build “resilient, diversified, and fair” critical minerals supply chains, with plans to speed permits and finance joint projects. Gambia Power Crisis: Violent protests over rolling blackouts pushed President Adama Barrow to promise a 24-MW generation unit by end-October and a 50-MW solar plant contract. US Grid Resilience & Governance: Detroit’s council voted to study energy alternatives after tornado outages, while Michigan’s Consumers Energy dam-sale decision was delayed up to 60 days amid safety and oversight concerns. AI-Driven Demand Strains Grids: Malaysia warned data centers are driving a 9-GW gas capacity gap by 2032 as cooling loads surge in hotter weather. Nuclear Revival Financing: The US DOE approved up to $1.9B to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant, targeting late-2028/early-2029. Renewables Buildout: Australia’s Frontier Energy began mobilisation for its Waroona solar-plus-storage project in WA, and Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar push continues amid tighter grid rules and rising costs. Data Centers & Power Policy: Illinois groups are pushing the Illinois Power Act to make data centers pay more of the energy and water burden.

Grid & reliability: San Antonio council members want a meeting with CPS Energy after late-August storm outages left tens of thousands without power for days, pushing for a full review of response decisions and restoration timelines. In the Philippines’ Visayas, a bishop called recurring brownouts a “systemic warning,” urging grid modernization and renewables rather than new fossil plants, citing reserve gaps, outages, transmission bottlenecks and weak inter-island links. Policy & pricing: South Africa issued new electricity pricing rules for the first time in 18 years, clarifying what costs can be recovered and how solar users should contribute to grid upkeep while blocking pass-through of theft and unpaid-bill losses. AI power demand: A report argues AI training is now constrained by electricity, with data centers’ power draw surging and grid access becoming the key deal variable. Storage & cyber risk: China may tighten approvals for new energy storage as capacity growth outpaces demand, while a study warns of a high likelihood of coordinated cyberattacks on BESS fleets by 2031. Clean power buildout: Entergy broke ground on its Ironwood 446 MW gas plant in Arkansas as it decommissions older units; Romania approved a transmission investment plan through 2035 to boost cross-border capacity with Bulgaria and Hungary. Nuclear momentum: Slovenia plans to accelerate Krsko 2 preparations, and Bluecore Energy raised $50M to build floating nuclear systems. Markets & deals: Flex agreed to buy EPC Power for $4.4B to expand software-defined power conversion for data centers and storage; Brookfield launched a China-focused energy transition fund targeting a first close above $1.8B. Solar manufacturing: Solarworld and Rays Power plan a 2.4 GW solar cell manufacturing JV in Madhya Pradesh. Local energy tech: Pasadena Water and Power’s solar canopy plan is set to face a tree-removal review tied to parking-lot solar and battery installations.

Philippines Grid Crisis: Visayas brownouts are worsening fast, with lawmakers pushing a congressional probe into whether ancillary services and reserve power charges actually delivered during repeated red alerts; the DOE says some plant restarts are due this month to partially ease supply stress. Policy Pressure: A Visayas-focused resolution also targets NGCP’s ancillary services pricing and asks for month-by-month reserve charge details, as outages disrupt schools, hospitals, and business activity. Energy Security Debate: A San Carlos bishop calls the crisis a “systemic warning,” urging grid modernization and renewables rather than new coal/LNG that could lock in long-term fuel and pollution risks. MENA Renewables Surge: BloombergNEF says MENA added about 16 GW of solar and wind in 2025 and expects renewables additions to jump 37% in 2026, with battery storage scaling alongside. Cyber Defense for Power: South Korea’s KEPCO will run ELECCON 2026, a live-action cyber drill for the power sector in November, pairing human and AI attackers to test real response. Pakistan Market Reform: Nepra approved uniform use-of-system charges for bulk/open-access consumers, clearing the way for Pakistan’s first competitive wholesale wheeling auction. Grid Stability Rules (India): MPERC set a new reactive power compensation rate for renewable generators, effective Nov. 1, 2026, to improve voltage support and grid stability. Data Centers vs Power: Swiss Re Institute estimates AI data centers and renewables could drive about $200bn in commercial insurance premiums by 2030, highlighting how shared infrastructure risks are growing.

Grid Reliability & Outages: Severe weather kept pressure on U.S. power systems, with DTE reporting thousands still without power in Metro Detroit as cleanup dragged on. Data Centers & Power Costs: Ireland’s data-center boom is drawing backlash as councillors warn households are effectively subsidizing demand, while regulators push large users toward local renewable sourcing. AI Power & Home Flex: PG&E, Rewiring America and Google launched a first-of-its-kind virtual power plant to coordinate home batteries and smart devices for reliability and affordability. Renewables Build-Out: India’s Axis Energy and Lumara plan a 400 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh with 400 kV grid evacuation by 2027. Storage for Mission-Critical Loads: Solis commissioned its first EverCore solar-plus-storage system in Chennai for a software IT data center. Grid Hardware for the AI Era: Siemens Energy India commissioned an SF₆-free 145 kV circuit breaker in Goa, targeting lower-emissions transmission equipment. Geopolitics & Energy Security: Iran warned it will retaliate against new U.S. attacks and signaled tighter control around the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices rose. Regional Gas Connectivity: North Macedonia and Serbia joined the Vertical Corridor gas initiative to strengthen cross-border supply routes. Nuclear Momentum: New York politics is reviving interest in nuclear as a 24/7 complement to renewables, with plans for gigawatts of new capacity. Africa Investment Push: Rwanda hosts RE4SG to turn renewable ambitions into bankable deals, with leaders calling for more manufacturing, tech access, and financing.

Grid Reliability & Outages: Severe weather left thousands without power across the U.S., including Duke Energy’s Upstate outages and Houston’s Westbury Square Townhomes, where residents reported nearly 40 hours without electricity and raised concerns for people needing power for medications. AI Power Demand & Cooling: New reporting highlights how AI is intensifying the power and heat challenge for data centers, with Hong Kong extending energy-efficiency rules but warning that efficiency alone may not stop rising resource use; tech firms also claim they can cut data-center water needs. Renewables’ Local Impact: Research from the University of Missouri finds wind and solar can boost rural jobs, wages, and GDP in host counties, while noting community concerns like land use and property values. Energy Infrastructure & Policy: Cyprus faces calls for an independent audit across its electricity value chain as solar debates heat up; meanwhile, India’s PNGRB and EESL plan smart gas meters to improve safety and transparency. Nuclear & New Tech: Tennessee issued the U.S.’s first fusion license for a “stellarator” project, while microreactor efforts continue to gain attention as AI-driven demand reshapes power planning. Energy Security & Disruption: Libya says it dismantled a sabotage cell targeting oil and power facilities in Tripoli and Zawiya, underscoring how conflict and attacks keep stressing energy systems. Market/Company Signals: Kenya’s KenGen cut dividends 16.67% as profit edged down, even as revenue rose on higher electricity demand.

Grid Resilience & Local Power Planning: Iloilo City, Philippines, is coordinating with energy stakeholders on longer-term fixes for ongoing outages, with Mayor Raisa Treñas pointing to Visayas-wide constraints and flagging the expected arrival of an LNG terminal/power facility as a potential supply boost. Emerging-Market Power Finance: Turkey’s energy minister says the country needs at least $80B by 2035 for electricity infrastructure and argues public money alone won’t be enough—more private capital and long-term climate finance are key. Geothermal Risk & Reality Check: South Korea’s enhanced geothermal project was shut down after a magnitude-5.5 earthquake triggered by deep water injection, underscoring induced seismicity risks for EGS. Renewables Buildout in the Global South: Comoros inaugurated three UAE-financed solar plants (about 20 MW total) with battery storage, targeting cleaner power for roughly 17,500 households. Power Outages (Middle East): Kuwait reported blackouts in Hawally and Mubarak Al-Kabeer after technical malfunctions at multiple substations, with repair teams dispatched. Nuclear Momentum (Turkey): Turkey’s energy minister says the first Akkuyu reactor is in intensive testing and could go online soon, aiming to cut import dependence. Data Centers as a Power Driver: A new report highlights how AI is turning electricity into the binding bottleneck for data centers, with demand growth outpacing grid additions.

Grid Modernisation in Africa: Experts say Africa must speed up investment in efficient, digitalised power grids as demand surges, while losses remain high and cross-border trade is constrained. Cross-Border Power Trade: A World Bank report highlights how Ethiopia’s electricity exports are already cutting Djibouti’s costs and points to a potential Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania renewable corridor. Storm Fallout (US/Australia): Severe weather left tens of thousands without power in Sydney and across multiple US states, with crews working through damage from winds, trees and outages. Nuclear Power Line Repair (Ukraine): An IAEA-brokered local ceasefire is enabling repairs to restore off-site power to Zaporizhzhia after the plant lost its main line, raising diesel and blackout risks. Energy for AI and Industry: ABB links semiconductor growth to the need for reliable, smart electrification; meanwhile, nuclear momentum is framed as a response to data center-driven demand. Market Access for Power Trading: ABN Amro’s clearing unit plans to enter Japan’s electricity futures market, signaling more global competition. Renewables in Practice (Nepal/Nigeria/India): Nepal is using solar kits for flood relief; Nigeria pushes off-grid solar for universities; India touts rapid solar scale-up.

Nuclear Safety Under Strain: The IAEA brokered a localized ceasefire to let technicians repair the 330-kilovolt line feeding Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant after it lost off-site power on Aug. 20; with diesel running low, the plant faces a possible station blackout within days. Grid Resilience Tested by Storms: In the US Midwest, DTE reported power restored to 95% of Metro Detroit customers after tornado-linked outages, while AES Ohio said storms left 14,000+ without power in Ohio as crews work through additional weather. Energy Infrastructure Sabotage Fears: German police found suspected explosive and incendiary devices near Saxony substations, following similar incidents elsewhere, as authorities investigate possible links. Power Market Growth Signals: India’s large EPC firms are forecast to grow revenue 9–10% this fiscal, with power investments and transmission spending driving order books. Hydrogen Deal Moves to Use-Case: OQ Alternative Energy and Asyad signed key terms to study green hydrogen for Oman’s transport and logistics, aiming to build real-world value chains. Regional Supply Pressure: Cebu faces longer brownouts as nearly 1,000 MW of generating capacity is unavailable in the Visayas grid. Affordability Policy: Ofgem confirmed eligible UK households can claim £95 compensation for power cuts this autumn.