International Briefs: Global Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Developments

Australia Achieves 1.5 GW Renewable Capacity in Q2 2025

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) revealed that 1.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity in the National Electricity Market secured Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) authorisation in the second quarter of 2025. This strong performance has prompted the CER to upgrade its full-year forecast to 3-3.5 GW, up from the prior estimate of 2.7-3.1 GW. 

Key projects authorised include the 520 MW Stubbo Solar Farm and 346 MW Wollar Solar Farm in New South Wales, the 450 MW Clarke Creek Wind Farm in Queensland, and the 58 MW Mokoan Solar Farm in Victoria. 

The second quarter also saw record generation with 13 million LGCs issued, a 17 percent rise compared to Q2 2024, underscoring Australia’s accelerating transition to renewable energy.

Premier Energies Secures USD 19.95 Million Solar Contracts in Benin

Premier Energies Limited has been awarded contracts totalling USD 19.95 million to deploy solar power systems across the Republic of Benin in West Africa. The projects encompass installing 750 rooftop solar systems at critical community infrastructure, including police stations, schools, health centres, and border units. 

Additionally, Premier Energies will install more than 4,400 solar streetlights and 650 solar water heaters as part of Benin's national initiative to expand clean energy access. The implementation will be conducted in collaboration with Benin’s Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable energy development.

TotalEnergies Sells Half of North American Solar Portfolio to KKR

French energy major TotalEnergies has agreed to sell a 50 percent stake in its 1.4 GW North American solar portfolio to investment firm KKR for an enterprise value of USD 1.25 billion. The deal includes six utility-scale solar projects totaling 1.3 GW and 41 distributed generation assets amounting to 140 MW, predominantly in the United States. 

KKR highlighted its ongoing commitment to renewables, having invested over USD 23 billion in energy transition initiatives. TotalEnergies will maintain a 50 percent stake and continue to operate the assets post-transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions.

Sineng Powers Egypt’s 1st Utility-Scale BESS

Sineng Electric, in partnership with Trina Storage, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful grid connection and commercial operation of the Abydos 150 MW/300 MWh energy storage system in Egypt. Situated in Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate, the project is integrated into a 500 MW solar park and represents Egypt’s first grid-connected, utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS). 

Sineng supplied 36 turnkey Central PCS MV Stations, each comprising four 1725 kW units paired with Trina Storage’s Elementa 2 battery solution, optimised for cost efficiency and system performance, marking a flagship global cooperation project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.