Energy Transition in Motion (Week of May 2, 2025)

Power developer Sunraycer Renewables on May 1 said it has signed agreements with Meta Platforms for 240 megawatts (MW) of solar power in Texas.

Under the agreements, Meta will purchase 100% of the environmental attributes from Sunraycer’s 97.5-MW Midpoint Solar project in Hill County, Texas, and the 143-MW Gaia Solar project in Navarro County, Texas, according to a news release.

The agreements will support the construction of the first projects in Sunraycer’s 4-gigawatt (GW) portfolio of solar and battery facilities, the company said.

“This partnership with Meta underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality, utility-scale solar projects that drive the transition to clean energy,” Sunraycer CEO David Lillefloren said.

The agreements were reached as the solar sector continues its growth streak in the U.S.

Solar capacity in the U.S. is expected to increase to 153 GW in 2025 and 182 GW in 2026, according to a forecast released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Capacity was 91 GW in 2023.

The Gaia and Midpoint solar projects are expected to begin commercial operations in late fourth-quarter 2025, delivering power to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid.

“These projects will support our goals to match our operations with 100% clean and renewable energy,” said Urvi Parekh, global head of energy at Meta.

Here’s a roundup of some other renewable energy news.

Energy storage

Saft, LiNova Advance Battery Technology Partnership

TotalEnergies subsidiary Saft and LiNova Energy have entered the next phase of agreement that aims to commercialize LiNova’s polymer cathode battery technology in the aerospace, defense and rail markets served by Saft.

In an April 29 news release, LiNova said the second phase of the joint development agreement focuses on scaling cell size, conducting comprehensive testing to ensure the technology meets industry standards, and the production of sample cells. The company’s technology eliminates the need for nickel and cobalt, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional cathodes and utilizes abundant, available materials, according to the release.

“Advancing to Stage 2 with Saft signifies a pivotal moment for LiNova,” said LiNova Energy CEO Michael Nagus. “Our combined efforts are set to bring our sustainable polymer cathode technology to market, addressing critical needs in Saft’s key markets, and in energy storage and beyond.”

The partnership combines LiNova’s technology with Saft’s battery manufacturing expertise.

“Innovation and sustainability are part of Saft’s DNA. For over a century, our R&D teams have worked to advance battery technologies, often in collaboration with other industry experts,” said Saft CEO Cedric Duclos. “Our collaboration with LiNova Energy in scaling up its disruptive polymer cathode technology is a significant advancement and will ultimately benefit Saft’s customers in the aerospace, defense and rail sectors.”

CIP Sells 50% Stake in Battery Storage Project

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has agreed to divest a 50% ownership stake in the Coalburn 1 battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Scotland to alternative investor AXA, the clean energy fund manager said April 28.

CIP said it will continue to oversee the 500-MW, 2-hour duration lithium ion BESS throughout its construction and beyond the project’s early 2026 commissioning.

“As CIP’s development and construction portfolio of UK BESS projects continues to progress and grow, we look forward to welcoming AXA IM Alts as a new partner on our Coalburn 1 site, which once commissioned in 2026 shall be Europe’s biggest operational BESS project,” said CIP Partner Nischal Agarwal. “The delivery of Coalburn 1, alongside CIP’s Coalburn 2 and Devilla construction projects, will improve the UK’s energy security, enable more low-cost renewables to be delivered, and will act to reduce costs for British consumers through enhanced system flexibility.”

Additional details about the divestment were not disclosed.

Battery Industry Says $100B in US Investment Contingent on Washington Support

Manufacturers and developers of U.S. energy storage projects said their industry will invest $100 billion this decade to create a wholly domestic battery supply chain, but warned the goal was contingent on support from Washington.

The American Clean Power Association, a trade group that represents energy storage companies, said its members aimed to decrease the sector’s reliance on China, which today supplies the majority of U.S. batteries.

Storage projects are poised to be hard-hit by President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs of 145% on Chinese imports. The industry is pressing for a more nuanced approach to incentivizing domestic production.

“China stole our supply chain over a decade; we’re not going to get it back in 10 weeks,” ACP CEO Jason Grumet said on a call with reporters ahead of the announcement. “If the administration starts to view batteries as a critical national security technology, we will shift away from the kind of broad-based reciprocal tariffs, which are a very kind of blunt shock-and-awe attention-getter, into that kind of strategic conversation.”

The $100 billion in investment will create 350,000 jobs and would include $10 to $15 billion in active projects, ACP said. Those include a Tesla battery cell facility in Sparks, Nevada, a Fluence cell factory in Tennessee, LG’s plant in Holland, Michigan, and a Weirton, West Virginia, facility by startup Form Energy.

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Geothermal

UT Austin, NTOU Partner to Advance Geothermal in Taiwan

The University of Texas at Austin and the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) will collaborate on a geothermal research initiative aimed at accelerating geothermal resource developments in Taiwan, NTOU said in a news release.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, the two universities aim to establish a renewed, improved and socially responsive geothermal industry chain. The partnership will include technical exchanges, joint research and co-development of geothermal resources, according to the release.

“From Taipei to Yilan, substantial geothermal resources can be found both onshore and offshore,” NTOU said in the release. “Moreover, the northeastern power grid already covers much of the geothermal potential region, making it an optimal zone for energy transition.”

Taiwan’s Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs is targeting a geothermal capacity of between 1.2 and 1.5 GW by 2030.

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Hydrogen

Hyundai to Launch Hydrogen Production, Dispensing Facility in Georgia

Hyundai on April 28 announced plans to open a hydrogen production and refueling facility for Class-8 heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles in Georgia.

The project is a collaboration with HTWO Logistics, HydroFleet, and Capital Development Partners. Plans are for the facility, called HTWO Energy Savannah, to begin operations near the Port of Savannah in late fall 2025, Hyundai said in a news release.

“HTWO Energy Savannah is a breakthrough hydrogen production and refueling station for the heavy-duty trucking industry, allowing zero-emissions trucks to quickly and easily refuel at a single convenient location in the Savannah region,” said Jim Park, SVP, commercial vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell business, Hyundai Motor North America. “The HTWO Energy Savannah hydrogen station will also truly fulfill our vision for HMGMA Clean Logistics, allowing our innovative new electric vehicle plant to transport plant shipments within a clean, zero-emissions ecosystem.”

The hydrogen production and refueling stations at the site are expected to generate 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen per day. Hyundai said the infrastructure can be scaled to support up to 4,200 kilograms of hydrogen per day to meet future demand.

Phase two plans include commercial vehicle electric charging capability, according to the release.

Solar

Hexa Climate Buys Fortum’s India Renewables, Plans $500MM Investment

India’s Hexa Climate Solutions, backed by private equity firm I Squared Capital, has acquired Finland-based Fortum’s domestic renewables portfolio and plans to invest $500 million to expand its clean energy platforms in the country and other emerging markets.

The deal includes a 100% stake in Fortum’s India unit, a 206-MW commercial and industrial renewables portfolio, a 600-MW pipeline of ready-to-build projects, and Fortum’s 40-member team in India, Hexa said April 30.

The company did not disclose the deal value.

The deal comes amid India’s push to boost its non-fossil power capacity to at least 500 GW by 2030, up from 165 GW currently.

Hexa also said it plans to invest about $500 million to scale up its renewable energy, water and carbon platforms.

The sale marks Fortum’s exit from India. It sold 185 MW of solar assets in 2024 as part of a broader strategic shift to focus on its domestic market.

Stonepeak Acquires Stake in Repsol’s Solar, Storage Portfolio for $340MM

Infrastructure-focused private equity firm Stonepeak is extending its reach into renewables with the acquisition of a 46.3% stake in Repsol’s New Mexico and Texas solar and storage portfolio for $340 million.

The investment firm on April 29 said the 777-MW portfolio includes the Frye solar project, which is Repsol’s largest photovoltaic plant in operation to date with an installed capacity of 632 MW in Swisher County, Texas. The portfolio also includes the Jicarilla solar and storage complex in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The complex has an installed solar capacity of 125 MW and a battery storage project of 80 MWh, according to a news release.

“This investment represents another important step in delivering much-needed, cost effective and sustainable electricity to our domestic power grid at a time when communities need it most,” said Anthony Borreca, senior managing director at Stonepeak. “Repsol is an extremely well-respected company globally, and we look forward to deepening our partnership with them in the coming years.”

All of the projects in the portfolio have long-term revenue contracts. The portfolio is valued at approximately $795 million, including $60 million in tax equity previously raised through investment tax credits, according to the release.

“We are very proud to start a partnership with Stonepeak in our first renewable asset rotation in the U.S. market,” said João Costeira, executive managing director of low carbon generation at Repsol. “Once again, our portfolio has confirmed its attractiveness to leading investors, validating our strategy on renewables.”

The transaction is expected to close in third-quarter 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals, the release said.

Nomura Greentech served as exclusive financial adviser, and Latham & Watkins served as legal counsel to Repsol. Mizuho affiliate Greenhill & Co. served as the exclusive financial adviser, and Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Stonepeak.

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Wind

Ørsted Divests Stake Off UK West Coast

Offshore wind developer Ørsted has completed the farm-down of a 24.5% stake in the West of Duddon Sands Offshore Wind to funds managed by infrastructure manager Schroders Greencoat in a GBP 456.1 million (US$605.8 million) deal, according to a May 1 news release.

The wind farm, which has a capacity of 389 MW, has been operating about 14 km off the U.K.’s west coast of since 2014, Ørsted said. The divestment, which closed April 30, is part of Ørsted’s efforts to improve its capital structure, diversifying risk and recycling capital.

“Farm-downs and partnerships are an integral part of Ørsted’s business model, and we’re pleased to expand our partnership with Schroders Greencoat, who has a proven track record in managing renewable energy infrastructure assets and is a highly valued partner to Ørsted,” said Ørsted Group CFO Trond Westlie. “With today’s announcement, we continue to deliver on our farm-down program with a transaction that meets our strategic objectives for partnerships and divestments in terms of value creation, risk diversification and capital recycling.”

The company said it will a 25.5%, pro-rata consolidated interest in West of Duddon Sands and continue serving as the wind farm’s operator under the existing operations and maintenance agreement.

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Hart Energy Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.