New decree for RE in Vietnam: Vietnam has issued a new decree, Decree No. 58/2025/ND-CP, with an aim to boost renewable energy generation in the country. It lends priority to grid-connected renewable energy projects with energy storage systems to be mobilized during peak electricity demand. Offshore projects get exemption from paying a fee for using the sea area for up to 3 years during the initial construction period and 50% reduction for 9 years post-construction, according to local media reports. Large-scale projects will also be exempt from land use fee for 3 years from the date of construction commencement. The decree also makes way for research and development of wind and solar power technologies in the country. It came into effect on March 3, 2025. An earlier decree from the government made it easier for bilateral PPAs to be signed (see Vietnam Eases Renewable Energy Offtake).
Zenith Energy refinancing: Australian independent power producer (IPP) Zenith Energy has completed a AUD 1.9 billion ($1.2 billion) refinancing and upsizing of its existing bank debt facilities, with some of it including green loan facilities. Lenders for this facility are ANZ, BNP Paribas, Bank of China, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Deutsche Bank, DBS Bank, Export Finance Australia, MUFG, National Australia Bank, Natixis CIB, Royal Bank of Canada, Societe Generale, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Westpac. It provides the company over AUD 1 billion ($630 million) of growth capital to develop new projects.
Australian women-led solar project: A 96 kW rooftop solar system for Officeworks in Australia’s Victoria has become the world’s 1st all-women-led commercial solar project. The result of a partnership between Smart Commercial Solar and Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE), it is led by a team of women right from project analysis and project management to engineering and performance monitoring. The team will install the project on the Officeworks Bundoora rooftop in mid-2025. Officeworks says this project sets a powerful precedent for gender diversity in the energy industry. AWISE Founding Director Sophie Wright said, “By increasing visibility and breaking down barriers, we can attract more women into the industry and help build a more diverse, skilled workforce.”
120 MW agrivoltaic project: Germany’s ib vogt has announced a 120 MW solar farm with 120 MW/480 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Australia. It will collaborate with local sheep farmers to allow sheep to graze on site. It will be located within the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and enter construction by July 2026.
100 MW solar park in Sri Lanka: The cabinet of Sri Lanka has granted approval to provide land to a 100 MW solar project in the Siyambalanduwa region. According to local media reports, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority will provide 219.723 hectares of land, which is unfit for farming or other cultivation, for the project.
110 MW in New Zealand: Helios Energy has secured Ruapehu District Council’s consent to go ahead with its 110 MW AC solar farm in Tangiwai in New Zealand. The Karioi Solar Project will be located on land leased from a local multigenerational farming family. It will continue to remain in agricultural production through sheep grazing and deer grazing on surrounding paddocks. The project is located close to an existing transmission network connection.
Trina Storage & Pacific Green partnership: China’s Trina Storage has entered a partnership with renewable energy storage developer Pacific Green for the Limestone Coast North Energy Park in South Australia. Part of the Chinese solar PV manufacturer Trinasolar, Trina Storage will supply energy storage cells and battery cabinets. To be built for AUD 460 million, this project will host 250 MW/500 MWh capacity to become one of the largest renewable energy parks in the state.
JinKO ESS expanding presence: JinKO ESS, the energy storage system (ESS) arm of Chinese solar manufacturer JinkoSolar, delivered 28 units of its SunTera ESS at the project sites in Australia for the 84 MWh D-BESS utility-scale energy storage project. All the systems were pre-commissioned with Ingeteam equipment to ensure a plug-and-play experience.
In Thailand, JinKO ESS signed another contract with UBOLTECH INTERTRADE COMPANY LIMITED (UTI) to supply 25 MWh of SunTera liquid cooled ESS systems for a local factory. It will be deployed across 2 sites divided as 20 MWh and 5 MWh. It will help UTI reduce its carbon footprint due to its use of diesel generators and thermal power.
Huasun eyes Japanese market: Chinese heterojunction (HJT) solar manufacturer Huasun Energy was recently in Japan at the World Smart Energy Week in Tokyo with its portfolio of products. It launched the company’s Kunlun Series G12-132 vertical HJT module with up to 720 W output and 23.2% efficiency in the ‘birthplace’ of HJT technology. This product is targeted for agrivoltaics, transportation and fencing applications in Japan and beyond. It also launched its Everest Series G12R-96 Color and G12R-132 transparent black rectangular HJT modules for residential and commercial applications.