As of May 12, 2026, Hitachi and X LABS announced a collaboration to develop dedicated energy parks designed as behind-the-meter power supply hubs with co-located, gigawatt (GW)-scale infrastructure for AI data center off-takers in North America. [1] An energy park is an on-sit power supply hub integrating power with storage facilities, transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure, and energy manage systems. The parks serve as the primary power source while coordinating with the regional power grid, allowing for controllable, large-scale power procurement without needing to wait for grid reinforcement. The two partners aim to provide the full lifecycle of energy parks from design and development to operation and power supply. This is intended to create an environment where data center operators can secure stable power necessary for business expansion without undergoing large upfront capital investments or managing complex energy operations.
[USA] Electricity generation from solar to exceed coal in ERCOT in 2026
As of May 13, 2026, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasted in their Short-Term Energy Outlook that annual electric power generation from utility-scale solar will surpass that from coal for the first time in 2026 within the grid that spans most of Texas. [1] Solar generation is expected to reach 78 billion kilowatthours (BkWh) in 2026 in the electricity grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) compared with 60 BkWh for coal. Solar capacity additions have steadily been contributing to meeting electricity demand growth in ERCOT. While natural gas is still the dominant source, solar’s share of the generation mix has increased from 4% to 12% between 2021 and 2025, with coal’s share decreasing from 19% to 13% during the same period. The EIA expects approximately 40% of total solar capacity additions in the US in 2026 to occur in Texas. This year, the largest solar photovoltaic project that will come online in 2026 will be in Texas. The solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) combination project Tehuacana Creek 1 Solar and BESS is 837 megawatts (MW).
[USA] FERC Chairman addresses PJM's legitimacy crisis and governance flaws
As of May 12, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Laura Swett spoke at PJM’s Annual Meeting, addressing the legitimacy crisis in the grid operator’s decision-making. [1] She asserted that the operator may be “too big to function,” with an “unacceptable” governance structure, with confidence in its decision-making having “completely eroded.” Swett stated that the 13 states in PJM and the District of Columbia have “fundamentally different regulatory structures, resource portfolios and politics,” with some states relying on competitive markets and others having utilities that own power plants. Despite this, FERC expects PJM to run power markets in a fair and efficient manner, “maintain reliability through extreme weather, shifting fuel mixes, and rapid technological change.” When describing its governance process, Swett suggested that the current stakeholder process is “slow where it must be fast, opaque where it must be transparent, and vulnerable to vetoes and agenda control exactly when the region needs immediate action.” Swett announced that FERC would hold a conference on July 23 to identify the flaws in PJM’s governance process, along with solutions to fix them.
[Japan] Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation
As of May 4, 2026, Australia and Japan signed a Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation that expands bilateral coordination across energy security, critical minerals, and strategic supply chains, reinforcing both countries’ efforts to build more resilient resource partnerships amid growing geopolitical and market uncertainty. [1] The agreement commits the two governments to deepen cooperation on stable energy supplies, including LNG and next-generation low-emissions technologies such as hydrogen and decarbonization systems, while also accelerating collaboration on critical minerals development and processing, particularly in areas essential to clean energy manufacturing and advanced industrial supply chains. Supporting official statements highlight plans to align policy frameworks, facilitate public and private investment, and advance joint projects that reduce dependence on concentrated supply sources, positioning the partnership as a broader economic security framework that links energy resilience, industrial competitiveness, and regional strategic stability across the Indo-Pacific.
[1] https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/australia-japan-joint-declaration-economic-security-cooperation
[USA] NERC issues Level 3 alert over computational load risks
As of May 4, 2026, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a rare Level 3 alert – the highest level – after several instances of data centers unexpectedly dropping load or oscillating demand. NERC’s alert, entitled “Level 3 Essential Action Alert, Computational Load Modeling, Studies, Instrumentation, Commissioning, Operations, Protection, and Control,” outlines seven actions registered entities must implement to address the immediate risks posed by computational loads interfacing with the bulk power system (BPS). [1] This mandate applies to transmission planners, operators, system planners, and balancing authorities, among others. The alert was issued as NERC observed customer-initiated large load reductions and major oscillations occurring in a span of seconds, leaving no room for real-time responses and threatening reliability. In a previous Level 2 alert, NERC discussed recommended practices deemed necessary to address emerging risks from large loads. In response to this alert, NERC found that entities generally did not have sufficient processes, procedures, or methods to address risks associated with computational loads.
[1] https://www.nerc.com/globalassets/programs/bpsa/alerts/level-3-computational-load-alert.pdf
[Japan] Prime Minister Takaichi’s message for the 11th Three Seas Initiative Summit
As of April 29, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a message from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the 11th Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit in Dubrovnik, emphasizing that stable energy supply and resilient supply chains are essential for regional peace and economic stability amid global uncertainty. [1] The statement highlighted the growing importance of strengthening north–south connectivity across Central and Eastern Europe—particularly in energy, infrastructure, and digital sectors—and noted alignment between the 3SI framework and Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” principles, including rule of law, openness, and inclusiveness. Japan reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner (since 2024) and its intention to deepen cooperation with participating countries across these sectors, signaling continued engagement in European energy and infrastructure development corridors.
[1] https://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/erp_2/hr/pageite_000001_01605.html
[USA] House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing on grid and AI
As of April 29, 2026, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing about rising energy demand, serving data centers and large loads, and ensuring affordability for ratepayers. [1] According to Duke Energy’s Senior Vice President for Grid Strategy, Planning, and Integration, large new electricity customers, if integrated into the grid responsibly, present economic development opportunities and can limit rate growth by spreading the fixed costs of the grid across a larger base. Muse Energy President Whitney Muse suggested that grid investment in new capacity is critical to meeting demand amid impending load growth and bill pressures. In contrast, Ranking Member Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) framed the hearing as an opportunity to “squeeze more out of the existing grid” through grid-enhancing technologies, virtual power plants (VPPs), and demand flexibility. A notable point of disagreement was the Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates Act, which would prohibit grid operators from allocating to one state the costs of transmission projects driven by another state’s energy policies. Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) each raised concerns about the bill’s broad definition of “covered policy,” which could capture state policies unrelated to renewable energy mandates, including grid resilience plans for hurricane-prone states. Muse Energy testified that the Act would make it much harder to build interregional transmission, potentially including state and local land use, resilience, and economic development under its broad definition. Overall, utilities were concerned with the need for clear cost allocation rules, while Democratic lawmakers worried that the rules could block projects or shift costs unfairly.
[USA] Over 800 new generation projects seek to connect under PJM’s reformed interconnection process
As of April 29, 2026, PJM Interconnection announced that 811 new generation projects worth 220 GW have applied to connect to the grid through the Cycle of PJM’s reformed interconnection process. [1] This is the first major intake to improve the certainty and speed of project review using a redesigned approach. PJM is beginning a validation phase to confirm which projects have submitted the required technical and financial information to move forward. The projects entering the queue include 106 GW of gas-fired generation, 67 GW of storage, 18 GW of nuclear, 15 GW of solar, 9 GW solar-storage hybrid and 5 GW of wind. As part of the reformed process, PJM expects to complete the project reviews in one to two years, depending on the project, by using the AI-enabled tool ‘HyperQ,’ developed by Google’s Tapestry. However, despite having 103 GW of signed interconnection agreements since 2020, many of the projects are either “not being built at all or are being slowed by hurdles such as state permitting and supply chain backlogs,” PJM warns.
[Japan] Japan and Mexico agree to cooperate amid energy crisis
As of April 21, 2026, the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, held a telephone summit with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo of Mexico. [1] The two leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the importance of cooperation on energy supply in light of current global energy conditions. They also agreed to promote further bilateral cooperation as “Strategic Global Partners,” including strengthening economic relations and trade. Prime Minister Takaichi proposed establishing a dialogue framework on economic security, including cooperation with Mexico on mineral resources, while both sides expressed support for improving conditions for Japanese companies operating in Mexico and strengthening overall economic ties.
[USA] Court blocks administration from delaying renewable projects
As of April 21, 2026, a federal judge ruled that the Department of Interior and the Army Corps of Engineer must end a set of policies that limit solar and wind energy permitting on federal land while litigation over the issue plays out. [1] 57.2 GW of wind, solar, hybrid, and offshore wind capacity have been canceled or remain at risk of cancellation or delay beyond 2029. [2] RENEW Northeast, the Southern Renewable Energy Association, Interwest Energy Alliance, and other clean energy groups showed that their members faced imminent harm by 5 policy actions of the Trump administration, leading US District Court judge Denise Casper to grant their request for a preliminary injunction. [3] Casper stated that the plaintiffs are likely to win their suit since they showed that the public interest favors preliminary relief from the agency actions because they harm the public by delaying and preventing the development of wind and solar energy projects in the US. [4] This injunction affects five issues: the DOI review procedures memo which listed 68 permitting actions subject to review by the DOI secretary for solar and wind; a ban on the use of the Information for Planning and Consultation website for solar and wind developers; the DOI “land order” which barred wind and solar projects on federal land by requiring ‘capacity density’ consideration; an Army Corps’ memo that directs the agency to prioritize its permit reviews to high capacity density projects; and the Zerzan M-opinion, which effectively bars new offshore wind projects. [5] [6]
[1] https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/
[3] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.293725/gov.uscourts.mad.293725.89.0.pdf
[6] https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-05/m-37086.pdf
[USA] FERC to act on large load interconnection docket by June 2026
As of April 16, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an Order Regarding Intent to Act in Docket No. RM26-4-000, formally signaling that it will move forward by June 2026 on establishing standardized interconnection procedures for large electricity loads, including data centers and other high-intensity demand users. [1] The order builds on the Commission’s broader effort to address rising interconnection queue backlogs across U.S. regional transmission organizations and to improve coordination between transmission planning and rapidly growing load forecasts. It specifically highlights concerns that existing processes were designed primarily for generation interconnection rather than large-scale demand connections, creating procedural gaps as load growth accelerates. The Commission also notes that inconsistent regional treatment of large-load interconnections has begun to create planning uncertainty for both transmission providers and customers, particularly in high-growth areas tied to electrification and digital infrastructure expansion.
[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-act-large-load-interconnection-docket-june-2026
[Japan] Japan offers $10 billion in support to help Asia secure oil
As of April 15, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held the Asia Zero-Emission Community meeting, which was attended by leaders of Asian countries. [1] The Prime Minister announced the launch of a new cooperation framework entitled “Partnership on Wide Energy and Resource Resilience (POWERR Asia)”, for emergency and structural responses with mid-to-long term perspectives. The framework prioritizes cooperation in emergency responses through financing procurement of crude oil, petroleum products, and maintaining supply chains in Asia. It addresses structural responses such as establishing stockpiling and release systems as well as the construction of storage tanks to expand the number of crude oil reserves within the region. Additionally, the framework aims to make it feasible to secure critical minerals, diversify energy resources like biofuels, and promote industrial advancement through energy-saving initiatives. The $10 billion financial framework aims to support the stability of Asian countries and insulates Japan from some effects of the ongoing conflict in Iran, particularly through the procurement of medical supplies from Asia to Japan.
[1] https://japan.kantei.go.jp/105/diplomatic/202604/15azec.html
[USA] Georgia Power’s BYO clean resources plan for large loads approved
As of April 7, 2026, Georgia regulators approved the Customer Identified Resource (CIR) program, which allows energy customers to bring clean generation resources onto the system in exchange for renewable energy certificates and credit for the energy value of the resource. [1] The framework allows up to 3 GW of customer-identified resources through 2035, representing the majority of Georgia Power’s plan to procure 4 GW of new renewables over the course of the same time period. The eligible projects may be located in other states as long as they can deliver power to Georgia Power under an approved interconnection framework. The CIR program builds on Georgia Power’s Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription program, which allows customers to purchase a pro-rata share of the production of renewable resources that are procured through the company’s utility-scale renewable requests for proposal process. Then the utility retires the RECs on the customer’s behalf. According to Nidhi Thakar, CEBA’s vice president for policy, this bring-your-own-resource program can be scaled nationally to bring new energy resources to the system more quickly.
[USA] Champlain Hudson transmission project market rules approved
As of April 13, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the market rules for the Champlain Hudson Power Express project. [1] The project is a $6-billion, 1,250 MW merchant transmission line that will start delivering hydropower from Canada to New York City in May 2026. [2] The line spans over 300 miles and is slated to deliver 10.4 TWh a year from Hydro-Québec under a 25-year contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. [3] The market rules that were approved include revisions to New York ISO’s (NYISO) Open Access Transmission Tariff and its Market Administration and Control Area Services Tariff. The revisions will allow NYISO to integrate the project’s physical reservation model with the ISO’s financial reservation system. The project will be NYISO’s first transmission facility that employs physical reservations to allocate transmission rights.
[2] https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Large-Scale-Renewables/Tier-Four
[3] https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/20200529162139-ER20-1214-000.pdf
[Japan] JFE Holdings and Mitsubishi sign another MOU to advance data center project
As of April 6, 2026, JFE Holdings and Mitsubishi Corporation announced a second memorandum of understanding (MOU) toward the joint development of a power business and data center project in the Ohgishima, Keihin District, Kanagawa Prefecture. [1] Under this MOU, the companies will advance the business plan with the aim of entering into a joint venture agreement. The initial MOU, signed in March 2025, aimed to explore the feasibility of this, after which the companies conducted assessments of an integrated power and data center project. By leveraging the advantages of the Ohgishima Area, they were able to find a large-scale site located 20km from central Tokyo with a stable power supply from JFE’s 190 MW captive power plant. The site can support at least 2 data centers, and the companies are targeting the commencement of operations for an initial 60 MW data center in 2031. The feasibility of constructing and operating the data center on 5 hectares of land was confirmed, after which the companies decided to proceed to the joint venture's concretization phase. JFE and Mitsubishi will study the potential supply of green power by leveraging Ohgishima’s planned hydrogen hub to support the future demand for power from continued land use conversion and data center expansion.
[1] https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/news/release/2026/20260406001.html
[USA] DOE announces funding for critical minerals processing and manufacturing
As of April 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $500 million in funding aimed at strengthening domestic critical minerals and materials processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling capabilities. The initiative is focused on scaling supply chains for key minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite, which are essential inputs for batteries used in electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, and other electrified systems. The funding will be allocated through competitive programs that support projects across multiple stages of the supply chain, including raw materials processing, advanced manufacturing of battery components, and recycling systems to recover critical materials. The program is intended to reduce dependence on foreign supply sources, increase domestic production capacity, and support long-term resilience in energy and industrial supply chains, particularly as electricity demand growth continues to accelerate across transportation, grid storage, and electrified infrastructure.
[USA] Hitachi Energy announces new Power Electronics Center in North Carolina
As of April 10, 2026, Hitachi Energy announced a $10 million investment to establish a new Power Electronics Center of Competence in North Carolina. [1] The center will focus on the engineering, testing, and system integration of advanced power electronics used in transmission and distribution systems. According to Hitachi Energy these technologies are critical for maintaining grid stability, managing voltage fluctuations, and enabling higher penetration of renewable energy sources. The facility is also designed to support the growing electricity needs of large industrial loads, particularly data centers and electrified infrastructure, by improving the speed and reliability of grid interconnection processes. In addition to technical functions, the investment is expected to expand the company’s U.S. engineering and R&D presence, supporting collaboration with utilities, developers, and industrial customers on grid modernization and high-voltage equipment deployment.
[Japan] Japan-Indonesia joint conference to strengthen energy security cooperation
As of March 31, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held a summit meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in which they agreed to deepen economic ties and cooperation in energy security due to the growing uncertainty over oil and gas supplies from the Iran war. [1] Prime Minister Takaichi stated that “in light of the Iran situation, the strategic importance of resources and energy security is once again being recognized globally.” The two leaders agreed on advancing cooperation including geothermal power project and waste-to-energy under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC). They also discussed cooperating for nuclear power, supply chain, LNG, especially since the Memoranda of Cooperation regarding critical minerals and nuclear energy were signed earlier in March 2026.
[1] https://japan.kantei.go.jp/105/diplomatic/202603/31indonesia.html
[USA] Large load tariffs grow prevalent as states regulate data centers actively
As of March 31, 2026, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) Database of Emerging Large Load Tariffs indicated that state policymakers are looking to large load tariffs as a way to shield ratepayers from the surge in interconnection requests from data centers, with 77 tariffs pending or in place across 36 states. [1] In 2025, state regulators approved 29 large load tariffs, compared to 14 between 2018 and 2024. [2] The database has added 12 entries and 3 more states since it was last updated in November 2025. The definition of large load has evolved as the size of projects have grown; utilities used to define them using a threshold of five, 10, or 25 MW a few years ago, but now define them as 50 MW or more. These tariffs ask loads to pay more of the upfront costs for studies or power delivery infrastructure, minimum contract terms, minimum load guarantees, and more, in case a project falls through. Early evidence shows that although it is too soon to tell if tariffs are effective, they can eliminate speculative requests from the pipeline. AEP Ohio cut its large load forecast by over 50% after a large load tariff was approved in 2025 despite inflated data center demand.
[1] https://sepapower.org/large-load-tariffs-database/
[2] https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/CaseRecord.aspx?CaseNo=24-0508
[USA] Solar installations declined in 2025
As of March 31, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) found that solar developers installed 26.5 GW in 2025, down 22% from the 33.8 GW they installed the previous year in 2024. [1] Despite this, solar still led all other sources in 2025 installations. [2] According to FERC, solar makes up 12.2% of installed generating capacity in the US, behind natural gas at 42.2% and coal at 14.3%. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar installations remained largely the same year over year, but volumes fell by almost 40% in the fourth quarter. By the end of 2025, installations totaled just under 35 GW as many utility-scale projects were delayed into 2026 and 2027. FERC data suggests that natural gas added fewer units in 2025 at 84, compared with 122 the previous year, despite a 1.5 GW increase in installed capacity. Wind capacity grew with 5.7 GW of additions in 2025 compared to 4.5 GW the year before. No new nuclear capacity came online in 2025.
[1] https://cms.ferc.gov/media/energy-infrastructure-update-december-2025
[2] https://seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2025-year-in-review/