Ukraine's leading energy provider, DTEK Group, is expanding its wind energy profile with a new 650-megawatt project supported by a grant from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. The move towards wind energy is driven by the resiliency of wind farms during wartime, as demonstrated by the Tyligulska Wind Power Plant near the Black Sea. DTEK is positioning its renewable energy ventures as key to Ukraine's energy resilience and European integration, with plans for further expansion in the future. Norway is providing aid to Ukraine for the Poltavska renewable energy project, which aims to decentralize the country's energy system and integrate with EU standards. Western Ukraine has ideal conditions for the production of green hydrogen due to its wind and PV resources, water availability, and access to gas infrastructure, with plans to export to European markets and partner with Austria for investment and production capacity.
Category: Buildings & Electricity
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift Energy Sources
-
Dutch buildings could host 36 GW of façade solar capacity
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) report highlights the potential for building façades to offer up to 36 GW of solar PV capacity in the country, particularly in buildings with unsuitable roofs or where architectural considerations are important. While façade PV is currently a niche solution due to high costs and regulatory complexity, it can complement rooftop systems in space-constrained or grid-limited areas. To increase uptake, the study recommends a targeted approach focusing on rooftop PV and selective use of façade systems, with more demonstration projects, improved transparency on costs, simplified permitting processes, and better communication of financial incentives. Municipalities and national authorities are encouraged to lead by example by deploying façade PV on public real estate.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/23/dutch-buildings-could-host-36-gw-of-facade-solar-capacity/
-
To phase out fossil fuels, developing countries need exit route from “debt trap”
At COP30, over 80 governments are proposing an initiative to address the debt crisis in the Global South by financing the transition to renewables with public grants instead of loans. The current debt architecture traps developing countries in a cycle where fossil fuel revenues are needed to service debt, hindering efforts to phase out coal, oil, and gas. Policy recommendations include debt cancellation and ending international finance for fossil fuel expansion to address climate challenges. Proper funding for renewable energy and diversification is crucial, as many countries in the Global South lack support for making the energy transition. The broken debt system must be fixed to confront future climate shocks and ensure a successful transition to renewable energy sources.
-
How Google turned its climate program into an AI booster
Google's carbon-intelligent computing platform is now being used to connect data centers to the grid efficiently, allowing for energy-intensive tasks to be assigned when renewable energy is abundant. The company has integrated demand response into utility contracts across the South and Midwest, making up to 1 gigawatt of its data centers' electricity demand available for curtailment. This pivot towards demand response programs is seen as a way to enable the development of more clean energy in the future, despite challenges such as policy uncertainties and increasing energy demands from artificial intelligence. Flexible data centers can aid in the deployment of renewable energy by offsetting its variability, transforming them from a burden on the grid to a valuable resource for integrating variable solar or wind power.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/how-google-turned-its-climate-program-into-an-ai-booster/
-
Ground-breaking NT microgrid lands $8.3m grant, set to kick off construction
An $8.3 million grant from ARENA will fund the construction of the Ngardara Solar Microgrid in Borroloola, Northern Territory, consisting of 2.1 MW of solar and a 1.8 MW, 6.6 MWh battery. Led by First Nations group Original Power, the project aims for 80% renewable energy penetration, saving 1.2 million liters of diesel annually. This community-led microgrid initiative seeks to provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to Indigenous communities, promoting local energy ownership and benefiting traditionally excluded communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally, a separate microgrid project in Ltyentye Apurte near Alice Springs is receiving funding to improve reliability and provide a constant source of electricity during blackouts, pushing the energy sector towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
-
War-hit Ukraine bets on wind with massive new project
Ukraine's largest private energy firm DTEK is leading the way in enhancing energy security with the construction of a 650MW wind farm in the Poltava region. The project aims to restore capacity, scale renewable generation, and modernize grids to support Ukraine's survival and future prosperity. Following damage to two-thirds of Ukraine's power supply due to the Russian invasion, there has been increased investment in dispersed generation like wind and solar farms. DTEK's focus on wind farm projects and energy storage systems is strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience and supporting the clean energy transition.
-
Fabricating perovskite solar cells with robotic boxes
An international research team has developed an AI-driven robotic platform that autonomously designs, fabricates, and optimizes perovskite solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 27%. The system processes information from thousands of publications and data generated during device fabrication through a seven-layer AI architecture. Scientists from multiple universities have collaborated on a system to improve recipe recommendations for robotic execution in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells, aiming to enhance efficiency and accuracy. This innovative approach combines robotic fabrication and characterization within a closed-loop system, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in the renewable energy sector.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/21/fabricating-perovskite-solar-cells-with-robotic-boxes/
-
Puerto Rico Is Now A Perovskite Solar Cell Powerhouse
Solar cell innovators in the US, such as Solx and Caelux, are teaming up to manufacture new tandem perovskite technology in Puerto Rico, aiming to offer a more economical alternative to traditional silicon cells with high-volume manufacturing potential. The Government of Puerto Rico is emphasizing the importance of solar energy as a solution to the island's weak infrastructure and dependence on imported fossil fuels. Solx's partnership with Caelux and Suniva seeks to revolutionize the American energy industry with a fully U.S.-based solar supply chain, highlighting the potential of U.S. manufacturers and technology leaders aligning to build a sustainable energy future and strengthen domestic energy security. This collaboration showcases the commitment to reshoring critical manufacturing capability and advancing solar technology in the face of challenges posed by current federal energy policies.
-
Video: From $200 bills to $190 credit – 1 month with solar & battery
In a detailed analysis of a solar and battery storage system in Australian homes, it was found that the system resulted in a $190 credit on the power bill, a substantial improvement from the previous $200 monthly bill. The breakdown of factors such as grid imports, solar exports, and bill credits sheds light on the potential benefits of distributed energy technologies for both consumers and the grid. This case study highlights the positive impact these systems can have on reducing energy costs and increasing energy independence, making them a promising solution for addressing climate change.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/video-from-200-bills-to-190-credit-1-month-with-solar-battery/
-
Solar surge kept fossil electricity flat in 2025 as China and India made ‘historic’ shift
In 2025, a record surge in clean power met all global electricity demand growth, with solar leading the expansion by meeting around 75% of new electricity demand alone. This shift, largely driven by China and India, outpaced electricity demand growth and led to declines in fossil generation in both countries for the first time this century. The rise in clean generation slightly exceeded demand growth, pushing fossil generation down by 0.2%. UN Climate Change head Simon Stiell emphasized the risks of fossil fuel dependence amid disruptions in global oil and gas supplies due to the war in the Middle East, urging nations to accelerate the shift towards clean energy to enhance national security, economic stability, and reduce exposure to fossil fuel imports and costs. Stiell highlighted that clean energy is cheaper, safer, and faster-to-market compared to fossil fuels, which are causing chaos in volatile energy markets.