Tesla is going back to solar, Volvo unveiled the EX60 electric SUV, and Xiaomi released its new YU7 GT gaming phone, while Mercedes' AMG GT was also discussed in this week's episode of the Electrek Podcast. The podcast also featured a discussion on GM Energy's home system and powerbank for energy resilience and control.
Frontier Power USA has acquired a 480MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio in Texas from developer-operator Bimergen Energy. The acquisition is part of Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) development and investment company Frontier Power's expansion efforts. No financial details or timelines were mentioned regarding the deal.
Electricity generated from solar and wind reached a new global record in April 2026 at 531 TWh, exceeding gas-fired power plants at 477 TWh for the first time. Solar and wind accounted for 22% of global electricity generation, while gas supplied 20%. This milestone was made possible by sustained strong growth in wind and solar power.
More than 200 carbon blocks will store excess wind power, replacing natural gas used by an ethanol plant in South Dakota. The project aims to expand the US wind power profile and promote renewable energy storage. This initiative utilizes traditional "white-hot" toaster ovens as a novel solution for energy storage.
Puerto Rico's power grid is facing significant challenges, with affordability, reliability, and restoring public confidence being key issues nearly a decade after Hurricane Maria. The island's power grid is described as being "suspended between two realities." A top utility regulator has expressed concerns about the grid's ability to meet these pressing needs.
Mexico has launched a call for strategic renewable energy and storage projects linked to the state utility CFE, targeting 0.7 MW and above projects with an indicative storage need of 935 MW. The scheme aims to streamline investment while strengthening national grid planning and requires demonstrated benefits to system reliability, efficiency, and regional balance. Applications are accepted from May 25 to August 25.
Colombia's Mining-Energy Planning Unit has established procedures for allocating transmission capacity to generation projects with system obligations or completed environmental licensing. The measure aims to reduce grid connection delays and ease congestion in the National Interconnected System amid rising electricity demand. It introduces strict deadlines, a single-window system, and updated technical criteria to assess grid robustness.
Australia's New South Wales government has launched tenders for 2.5 GW of new solar and wind generation capacity alongside 12.5 GWh of energy storage, as part of its efforts to transition away from coal and towards a renewables-dominated grid. The tenders, known as Tender 8 and Tender 9, will deliver significant long-term energy services agreements (LTESAs) and are expected to favour projects that commence operations by the end of 2029. The tenders aim to support the state's decarbonization efforts and promote hybrid generation projects combining solar/wind with battery storage.
Wind and solar power surpassed natural gas as the leading source of electricity globally in April 2026, according to data from energy think tank Ember. This marks a significant milestone for the renewable energy transition, reversing a trend that had seen gas dominate the global energy mix just five years prior. The shift signals a major turning point in the shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
New England energy regulators are grappling with grid infrastructure costs and supply chain issues that are driving up retail electricity prices. The future of nuclear power is a topic of discussion among governors, industry representatives, and advocates, with Enbridge launching an effort to expand its natural gas pipeline system. FERC Commissioners stress the importance of building consensus on major market reforms and decisions.
Electrek