Energy Digest

Net generation of wind and solar power in the United States accounted for 760,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2025. This represents a significant increase from less than 1% of generation in 2005, with wind and solar powers now making up 17% of U.S. electricity. In 2025, this amount was 88,000 GWh more than the previous year.

HVDC export cables pose an underappreciated risk in offshore wind due to the high cost of repairs and replacement, which can be estimated at $1-2 million per kilometer. The cables' sensitivity to environmental factors such as saltwater corrosion and mechanical damage also increases maintenance costs. Offshore wind farms may face significant economic losses if their HVDC export cables fail or are damaged.

The Ohio Power Siting Board unanimously denied the construction of a 94-MW agrivoltaic solar project proposed for Morrow County, Ohio. The project, developed by Open Road Renewables, would have been built on 570 acres of land intended to co-locate Crossroads Solar Grazing Center between Cardington, Lincoln and Westfield Townships.

PG&E is redefining sustainability, resiliency, and affordability through innovative grid improvement strategies, aiming to create a stronger, more sustainable grid that delivers more affordable electric service for customers. The company's long-term investments focus on improving the transmission and distribution system, with a goal of creating a more resilient grid.

Technical due diligence (TDD) has become essential for hybrid solar-plus-storage projects in Europe due to the increasing complexity of these integrated systems, which can amplify risk through interactions between electrical, mechanical, digital, and environmental factors. Rigorous TDD is necessary to ensure project reliability, investor confidence, and a resilient clean-energy transition, protecting against performance uncertainty, supply chain variability, and regulatory changes. By adopting lifecycle-based TDD, the industry can mitigate risks and maintain trust in Europe's clean-energy build-out.

Data centers will need to adopt a "bring your own power" strategy due to potential challenges in meeting increasing energy demands from the growing AI sector. This shift could prioritize flexibility over centralized grid management, putting grid stability and public trust at risk if not handled correctly. The AI boom's impact on energy infrastructure is likely to pose significant challenges for utilities and policymakers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected a complaint by RWE, a German energy company, over PJM interconnection practices. FERC also reduced New England's transmission return on equity and allowed two Indiana utilities to share costs related to DOE emergency orders keeping coal plants online in the Midwest Interconnect System (MISO) regions.

Wind and solar generated 17% of U.S. electricity in 2025, up from less than 1% in 2005, with net generation totaling 760,000 gigawatthours (GWh) of electricity. The growth is a significant increase from the previous year, with an additional 88,000 GWh generated by wind and solar power. Utility-scale solar power accounted for this growth, with at least 1 megawatt of generating capacity.

Cuba is testing the first unit of a battery energy storage system (BESS) at the El Cotorro substation in Havana, with a total capacity of 200 MW across four systems. The country aims to strengthen grid stability through this program as part of its strategic efforts. Cuba has begun load testing of this system, marking an important step forward for renewable energy integration.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order to secure 10 GW of new energy resources by 2035 and 5 GW of new energy storage, aiming to meet the state's growing energy demands with a range of energy sources. The directive requires agencies to pursue various energy options to ensure adequate supplies. This move aims to reduce the state's reliance on traditional energy sources and promote renewable energy.