The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed AUD 11 million to support 2 First Nations-led microgrid projects in the Northern Territory. The projects will improve energy reliability, affordability, and security in remote communities. The projects in Borroloola and Ltyentye Apurte will use solar and battery systems to provide cleaner and more reliable electricity in off-grid or weak-grid areas, while reducing reliance on diesel.
One initiative, the Ngardara Project in Borroloola, is being co-led by Original Power and a local First Nations cooperative, with plans to develop a utility-scale solar-and-battery microgrid. The 2nd project near Alice Springs is being developed with the Atyenhenge-Atherre Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC). If built, it could meet about half of the community’s electricity demand. ARENA said the projects will also generate practical insights for future community-led microgrids and support broader First Nations participation in Australia’s clean energy transition. Both projects remain subject to conditions before construction can proceed.
The funding is part of ARENA’s Regional Microgrid Program under which AUD 125 million is reserved to advance microgrids in regional and remote areas. Of this, $75 million is dedicated to microgrids in First Nations communities.
Solarvest Holdings Berhad said its wholly owned unit, Atlantic Blue Sdn. Bhd. has signed an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract worth about RM 1.06 billion with Malakoff Silver Solar Sdn. Bhd. The contract covers the development of a 470 MW AC solar PV plant and grid interconnection facilities in Larut and Matang, Perak.
Work will begin after a notice to proceed is issued, with commercial operations targeted by February 2028. The company expects the project to contribute positively to earnings through construction. The project is being set up under the country’s LSS5+ program.
New South Wales (NSW) in Australia estimates it will save about AUD 130 million in electricity costs after securing a AUD 1.9 billion renewable energy supply contract for its public transport network over 7 years. The agreement, awarded to Snowy Hydro’s retail arm Snowy Energy, consolidates power procurement across trains, metro, buses, and light rail under a single deal for the 1st time.
The savings will be reinvested into frontline transport services as rising fuel prices push more commuters towards public transit. The switch to renewable electricity is expected to cut emissions by more than 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It will support the state’s targets to reduce operational emissions by 65% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2035. The contract follows a 2-year tender process and leverages combined purchasing power, building on previously separate energy deals by agencies such as Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro.
Australian renewable energy company CleanPeak Energy Holdings (CPEH) has agreed to acquire 100% of Sustainable Energy Infrastructure (SEI), expanding its renewable energy footprint across Australia. SEI operates 71 MW AC of solar capacity across 16 sites and 42 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across 11 sites in NSW, Victoria, and South Australia. The acquisition, says CleanPeak, strengthens its in-front-of-the-meter solar and battery portfolio and supports its growth strategy over the next 3 to 5 years. The combined platform is expected to optimize generation from the solar and battery portfolio and enable further battery expansion. CleanPeak says SEI’s geographically diversified assets within the National Electricity Market (NEM) will also support its retail business by providing a scalable, cost-effective risk-management solution.
Actis-backed Southeast Asia-focused renewable energy platform Levanta Renewables has signed project finance agreements with KASIKORNBANK and SMBC to refinance debt for its 93 MW Daisy Solar Portfolio in Thailand. The transaction follows the company’s acquisition of the portfolio. The deal is Levanta’s 3rd long-term financing in the country, supporting regional expansion.
Separately, Levanta has awarded and signed an EPC contract with China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) for the Barotac Solar Power and Battery Energy Storage System project in the Visayas, the Philippines. The project includes a 166 MW solar PV plant integrated with an 80 MWh BESS to improve grid stability and support a reliable power supply. Levanta said that the Philippines project aligns with the country’s target of achieving a 35% share of renewable energy by 2030, while expanding clean energy capacity in the Visayas region.
Malaysian financial services group AmBank Group has provided MYR 102.40 million in financing to Gajahsuria Power Sdn Bhd (GSP) for a 29.99 MW AC large-scale solar (LSS5) project in Kampung Gajah, Perak. The funding will support project development, construction, and operations. GSP, a special-purpose vehicle incorporated in 2025, is jointly owned by Sun Energy Ventures, Constant Energy Malaysia Holding, and BayWa r.e. Energy Solutions.
The project was awarded under Malaysia’s LSS5 program by Suruhanjaya Tenaga (the Energy Commission) and is led by Constant Energy’s Malaysian arm. With an estimated total value of MYR 128 million, the solar plant is expected to be operational by July 2027.
Hulic Co. Ltd., its energy arm Hulic Energy Solutions Co., Ltd., and Clean Energy Connect Co., Ltd. have announced a collaboration to develop and supply renewable power through off-site corporate PPA services in Japan. The initiative will see a joint venture between Hulic and Clean Energy Connect build and operate around 800 small-scale, non-FIT solar plants totaling about 70 MW. Electricity generated from these distributed assets will be supplied to Hulic Group facilities via Hulic Energy Solutions, its retail electricity provider, with rollout planned from July 2026 to March 2029.
Annual supply is expected to reach about 73 GWh, covering roughly 20% of the group’s power demand. The partners say they aim to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and support Japan’s carbon neutrality goals, while also enhancing local resilience through disaster-response power outlets integrated into the solar sites.