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/
[World] Asia faces supply disruptions due to Iran war
As of late March 2026, the Iran war has upended the global LNG outlook, with the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz causing crude and oil product flows to plunge from 21 million barrels per day (mb/d) to 2 mb/d. Gulf countries have cut total oil production by more than 11 mb/d. [1] Natural gas prices in Asian markets have risen sharply since the start of the war, reflecting the region’s greater exposure to supply disruptions via the strait. [2] An estimated 12%-16% of global ethylene capacity and 20% of methanol capacity have been impacted by the war in Iran, according to S&P Global Energy. This has caused producers and governments to bolster the resilience of their supply chains, due to these restricted flows of ethylene, methanol, and other petrochemical feedstocks damaging global derivatives pricing. The International Energy Agency (IEA) asserts that the war, which began in late February, has caused the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.
[1] https://www.iea.org/topics/the-middle-east-and-global-energy-markets?
[USA] DOE declares that emergencies requiring coal plants to run need not be imminent
The DOE’s May 23 2025 order directing Consumers Energy to continue running a coal plant in West Olive, Michigan, past retirement, faced challenges from Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, the Sierra Club, and other groups. [1] They contend that the DOE failed to show the Midcontinent region around the plant faces an energy emergency. In response, the DOE told a federal appeals court that the DOE secretary has broad authority under the Federal Power Act to declare emergencies to prevent power plants from retiring, and that they need not be imminent. [2] In a March 17 brief with the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the DOE states that the statute’s text grants the secretary discretion to determine that an emergency exists. [3] In these orders, the DOE asserts that the power plants need to keep running to prevent blackouts in the face of rising electric demand. Under the Federal Power Act, the DOE has not allowed these orders to lapse, issuing new 90-day orders when the old ones expire.
[1] https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/27899615/doe202cbrief.pdf
[3] https://www.energy.gov/ceser/does-use-federal-power-act-emergency-authority
[USA] FERC rejects complaint over PJM interconnection practices
As of March 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a complaint from RWE Clean Energy about how PJM Interconnection calculates and assigns interconnection upgrade costs for new power projects. [1] The case involved a solar and battery project in Maryland, where RWE argued that PJM’s study process led to unexpectedly high grid upgrade costs. FERC ruled that PJM followed its approved tariff rules, but it also noted that interconnection cost uncertainty remains a broader industry concern that can affect new generation projects trying to connect to the grid. In the same session, FERC reduced the allowed return on equity for transmission owners in New England under ISO New England, lowering it from 10.57% to 9.57%, which affects utilities like Eversource Energy. The commission also approved changes in the Midwest under Midcontinent Independent System Operator related to how certain emergency-related costs are shared across the grid.
[USA] Tesla and LG set to build $4.3 billion battery plant
As of March 16, 2026, Tesla and LG Energy Solution have reached a $4.3 billion agreement to build a new battery factory in Michigan. [1] The plant is expected to start operating around 2027 and will produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used in large-scale energy storage systems. These batteries will mainly support Tesla’s energy storage products, which help store electricity and supply power when demand is high or when renewable generation is low. The deal is part of a broader effort to increase battery manufacturing in the United States and strengthen domestic supply chains. The agreement includes a multi-year supply commitment, with flexibility to adjust production volumes and extend the contract depending on future demand, and it focuses specifically on supplying batteries for Tesla’s energy storage business rather than its electric vehicles.
[USA] US to release 172 million barrels of oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
As of March 11, 2026, 32 members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil and refined products from their reserves. [1] The Department of Energy has been authorized to begin releasing 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve starting March 16, 2026. The barrels will be released over the course of 120 days based on planned discharge rates. The IEA holds emergency stockpiles of more than 1.2 billion barrels of crude oils. The recent release of the barrels is designed to mitigate market impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the closure of commercial tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IEA, an average of 20 million barrels per day of crude oil were transited through the Strait in 2025, and options for oil flows to bypass the route are limited.
[USA] US lifts sanctions on Russia due to oil market volatility
As of March 12, 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lifted US sanctions on Russian oil in order to mitigate global oil market volatility and avoid economic fallout from the war on Iran. Senate Democratic leaders issued a joint statement on the move, condemning the decision due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. [1] The license issued by OFAC to lift the sanctions also failed to account for the requirement to notify Congress 30 days in advance of taking the action, as specified by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. [2] The license, entitled “General License 34,” provides a waiver for the temporary sale of Russian crude oil until April 11. This was the second significant rollback of the Ukraine war-related US sanctions, which aims to tame energy prices after US and Israeli strikes on Iran stopped shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
[Japan] Japan and Canada sign strategic agreement in defense and energy
As of March 6, 2026, the Prime Ministers of Canada and Japan released a joint statement on the Canada-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape and protect joint interests. [1] The two countries established a Canada-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Roadmap which will provide concrete direction for the cooperation. It prioritizes security and defense, economic security, supply chains and technology, trade and investment, energy security and food security, the Arctic, environment and climate cooperation, and academic and cultural exchanges. Listed strategic sectors for cooperation include clean energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and supply chains.
[USA] Senate Democrats restart permitting negotiations
As of March 4, 2026, Democratic senators stated that they would restart talks with Republicans to overhaul permitting regulations after the Trump administration began reviewing approvals for large-scale solar and wind projects. [1] In a statement, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said that after discussions with colleagues, they have decided to reopen negotiations on permitting reform. They state that moving forward, they expect “no further interference with already-permitted wind projects” and that the “initial movement [they’ve] seen on solar project permitting will accelerate, and other renewable projects will move forward as well.”
[USA] White House announces Ratepayer Protection Pledge
As of March 4, 2026, the White House announced a nonbinding Ratepayer Protection Pledge with major AI and tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, and xAI, to ensure that data center expansion does not raise residential electricity costs. [1] The data center developers promised to build or buy the generation resources needed to power their data centers, pay for all infrastructure-related costs, transmission and distribution equipment, negotiate rate structure with local utilities and state governments, and make backup generation available to grid operators to use in emergencies. [2] In return, President Trump promised the companies permit approvals within a span of two to four weeks, although the federal government does not have the authority to approve new generation permits.
[USA] Significant renewable and battery capacity growth forecasted for 2026
As of February 24, 2026, the Energy Information Administration‘s (EIA) latest Electric Power Monthly report confirmed that solar is the fastest-growing form of US electricity. Utility-scale solar, thermal, and photovoltaic generation expanded by 34.5% during 2025, while that from estimated small-scale solar PV systems rose by 11% during 2025 when compared to the previous year. [1] Wind remains the top renewable energy source, with wind turbines across the country producing 10.3% of US electricity in 2025. Wind and solar combined provided 15.7% more electricity than did coal last year and 8.7% more than nuclear power plants. Renewables altogether produced almost 26% of total US generation – including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal. In 2025, utility-scale solar capacity grew 27,738.4 MW, while small-scale solar capacity increased by 6,277.4 MW. EIA forecasts continued strong solar growth, with 44,470 MW utility-scale solar capacity added by the end of 2026. Capacity growth from utility-scale renewables and batteries in 2026 is projected at 80,809.2 MW. Should EIA’s forecast materialize, by the end of 2026, the mix of all renewables, including estimated small-scale solar, would reach 525,356.1 MW, surpassing natural gas at 514,212.5 MW, excluding battery storage capacity.
[USA] US Supreme Court rules against tariffs imposed under IEEPA
As of February 20, 2026, the US Supreme Court issued a decision on two appeals concerning the tariffs that President Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court held the IEEPA does not give the President the authority to impose tariffs, thereby affirming a lower court decision that invalidated two sets of the IEEPA tariffs. Article I of the US Constitution gives Congress the power to impose import tariffs and regulate foreign commerce. Congress has also enacted several laws that give the executive branch the power to impose tariffs, which the executive branch has used in recent administrations. IEEPA gives the President extensive authorities to address emergencies and regulate or prohibit imports of certain property. On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump invoked IEEPA to announce tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and the PRC, later imposing additional tariffs of at least 10% on imports from almost all US trading partners. The Court held that IEEPA’s phrase “regulate…importation” does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The Court declined to interpret the verb “regulate” to include tariffs, partly because that would render IEEPA unconstitutional to the extent that it would authorize export tariffs as well.
[Japan] JERA, QatarEnergy, and METI sign MOU for emergency supply
As of February 3, 2026, JERA announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and QatarEnergy to establish a trilateral cooperation framework to secure more liquefied natural gas supplies in emergencies. [1] Under the MOU, if global LNG market tightness or large-scale natural disasters in Japan threaten stable domestic energy supply, and if METI determines that the conditions warrant action, METI may request QatarEnergy to consider supplying additional LNG to Japanese buyers including JERA. Qatar has already been a key LNG supplier to Japanese buyers including JERA for over three decades. The MOU is intended to enable coordination between METI and QatarEnergy to allow for flexible response and stable energy supply in Japan.
[1] https://www.jera.co.jp/en/news/information/20260203_2352
[USA] Coal plant owners deny need for DOE ‘emergency order’ to run coal plant
As of January 29, 2026, the owners of a Colorado power unit say the Department of Energy (DOE) violated their constitutional rights by ordering them to continue running a coal-fired generator they had been planning to retire for years. [1] In a request for clarification and rehearing, the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the Platte River Power Authority stated that the order constitutes both a “physical taking and a regulatory taking” of property by the government without compensation or due process, by mandating the generator’s availability to operate. They also asserted that keeping the unit available to operate “will not best meet DOE’s goal of securing dispatchable electricity resources in the northwestern United States.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright employed his emergency powers to issue the order on December 30, 2025, the day before the 427-MW coal-fired unit of the Craig Generating Station was due for retirement. His justification was the power supply shortfall in the Midwest. Tri-State and Platte River, the unit’s owners, contend that DOE failed to demonstrate the existence of a pressing emergency that would require the plant’s continued operation.
[USA] House holds subcommittee hearing on oversight of FERC
On February 3, 2026, House representatives questioned members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about electric affordability, grid reliability, and the agency’s reviews of natural pipelines and liquefied natural gas projects. [1] This year, FERC will begin reviewing plans explaining how transmission providers intend to comply with FERC Order 1920, which was issued in 2024. The order requires grid planners to develop transmission plans that look 20 years ahead and gives states a greater role in cost allocation. Commissioner Judy Chang stated that if the transmission system is not ready, it becomes the bottleneck; it is time for the industry to ensure that the system is ready to connect both large loads and the generators. Commissioner David Rosner highlighted the problem by citing the example of a gas-fired power project in PJM’s fast-track interconnection process for bringing power plants online to meet its resource adequacy needs that require $1 billion in grid upgrade costs. Rosner suggested that this cost was driven more by the lack of transmission, since the project requires 100 miles of 345-kV transmission lines to come online. FERC Chairman Laura Swett called for an end to the “flip-flopping of FERC’s regulatory paradigm and the uncertainty that is created by increasing regulation” that exceeds what FERC’s mission is under the law.
[USA] Senators at permitting reform hearing call for more certainty
As of January 28, 2026, Senators at a permitting reform hearing expressed the desire to advance permitting reforms, but Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse D-R.I. stated that progress hinges on the Trump administration ending its moves to halt renewable energy development. [1] Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., stated that she called the hearing with Whitehouse to get back on the path towards “fruitful compromise.” On December 18, 2025, the House had passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, called the SPEED Act, which revised the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). However, Sen. Whitehouse and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., ended permitting reform discussions on December 22 after the Trump administration ordered work to halt on all offshore wind farms under construction.