Australia's energy and climate minister, Chris Bowen, has endorsed a new global electrification target of 35% by 2035 to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and meet climate goals. The initiative, announced at the UN's interim climate talks in Bonn, aims to increase the share of final energy demand met by electricity from 20% to 35% by 2035, based on analysis from the IEA and IRENA to support the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. The COP31 Presidency, led by Türkiye's minister Murat Kurum, will work with countries to facilitate access to technical assistance and financial support to achieve the electrification goal, which was welcomed for its potential to lower energy costs, increase energy security, and reduce emissions. Other initiatives from COP28 and COP29 include tripling renewable energy capacity, expanding energy storage, modernizing electricity grids, mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035 for action in the developing world, halving global waste growth, and increasing energy efficiency in buildings by at least 25% by 2035.
Category: Electricity & Industry
Cut Emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Cut Fugitive Emissions
– Shift Production
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Solar Energy Saves Europeans $135 Million A Day
Europe has seen significant savings in electricity costs due to the installation of solar power, avoiding billions in fossil fuel import costs. By deploying more solar, scaling storage, and accelerating electrification, Europe can reduce the role of gas in setting electricity prices and build a more secure and affordable energy system. Spain has doubled its wind and solar capacity, reducing the influence of expensive fossil generators on electricity prices. The focus on green technology in Europe has shown the benefits of renewable energy in reducing costs and increasing energy independence. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are setting new records for energy production in countries like Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, proving to be cheaper and faster to install compared to fossil fuels. Global energy investment is shifting towards clean energy, with more money going into renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, efficiency, and electrification, further accelerated by political decisions and global events, making them the dominant energy sources of the future.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/08/solar-energy-saves-europeans-135-million-a-day/
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All solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
The latest edition of the Solar Cell Efficiency Tables, led by Professor Martin Green from UNSW, has been published as open access in the July 2026 issue of Joule. This version showcases record-breaking efficiencies for large area silicon cells and modules, advancements in lead halide perovskite cell development, and improvements in perovskite-silicon tandem cells and modules. Notable achievements include a 27.9%-efficient interdigitated-back-contact device developed by Longi. The research, which involves contributions from various institutions including the European Commission Joint Research Centre and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, highlights the continuous growth and advancements in photovoltaic technology.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/08/all-solar-cell-efficiencies-at-a-glance-updated-7/
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Document: Commission to set EU-wide smart meter targets
The European Commission is proposing binding EU-wide targets for the rollout of smart meters to lower power bills and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The draft proposal aims for at least 50% of households to have smart meters by 2030, increasing to 65% by 2033. Smart meters can help consumers adjust their consumption for lower prices and contribute to more affordable energy bills. The proposal also includes reforms to network charges to incentivize efficient use of electricity networks and reduce costly grid investments.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/document-commission-to-set-eu-wide-smart-meter-targets/
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EU clears $26.5bn of Italian State aid to boost renewable power
Italy has received approval from the European Commission for a €23bn state aid scheme to boost renewable electricity generation, with a focus on onshore wind, solar, hydropower, and sewage gas projects. The goal is to add 37.15GW of renewable electricity capacity as part of Italy's target to have 39.4% of energy consumption from renewables by 2030. Financial support will be provided through contracts for difference over 20 years, with competitive bidding for larger projects and set prices for smaller ones. This initiative aligns with the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework and is designed to expedite Italy's shift towards renewable energy sources.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/eu-clears-italian-state-aid/
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Australia’s biggest solar-battery hybrid project secures grid connection approval
Ark Energy has secured grid connection approval for the Richmond Valley solar farm and battery project in Australia, which will be the largest of its kind in the country. The project will feature 500 MW of solar capacity and 475 MW of battery power with 8 hours of storage, with the first phase including a 200 MW solar farm and a 275 MW/2,200 MWh battery energy storage system using lithium-iron phosphate technology. This approval will greatly contribute to electricity supply and grid stability in New South Wales and the National Electricity Market, showcasing a significant step towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
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Halocell Energy secures grant for perovskite PV scale-up
Halocell Energy has received a grant to expand its perovskite PV manufacturing capabilities in Wagga Wagga, Australia, with the goal of increasing production of indoor perovskite PV modules from 7,000 to 100,000 units per year. The funding will be utilized to upgrade equipment, optimize production processes, and expand the workforce. Halocell's lightweight and flexible PV modules are specifically designed for high-value applications, boasting high power density, low-light performance, and radiation tolerance, making them a promising solution for advancing renewable energy technologies.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/08/halocell-energy-secures-grant-for-perovskite-pv-scale-up/
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Investments Starting to Grow Nicely In Africa’s Electric Motorcycle Sector
Investors are increasingly supporting scalable electric motorcycle platforms in Africa due to rising fuel costs, demand for affordable transportation, and policy support for clean energy solutions. The electric motorcycle sector in Africa has seen significant growth with over 50 companies active in the space. Spiro recently announced a $215M investment round to accelerate the deployment of its electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa. This investment reflects growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models in emerging markets and supports Africa's transition to electric vehicles and battery-swapping ecosystems to reduce dependence on imported fuel and modernize urban transport systems. Spiro, a company operating in several African countries, has deployed 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations, reducing daily mobility costs for riders by up to 40%. Electric motorcycles have been found to deliver a 72% reduction in climate impact compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles, avoiding approximately 19 tons of CO2 emissions over a vehicle's lifespan. The study also shows an 80% reduction in ozone depletion potential and a 20% reduction in particulate matter emissions, improving urban air quality and reducing public health risks. Spiro's expansion and investment in electric mobility are seen as a significant step towards sustainable transportation solutions in Africa.
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Anatomy of a renewable finance deal: Developer lands equity for state’s largest solar-battery hybrid
Frontier Energy has secured agreements for equity to cover a third of the cost of the largest solar-battery hybrid project in Western Australia, consisting of a 132 MW solar plant and an 81.5 MW battery storage system. The company has received firm commitments for $110 million in new equity and is working towards securing additional funding. The Waroona project is expected to generate revenue from reserve capacity contracts, energy sales, and other services, with a focus on selling excess output from the battery and solar farm. Additionally, the company is planning to expand the renewable energy facility to potentially reach 1,000 MW and 660 MW of battery capacity, aiming to create a major renewable energy precinct in the South West of WA to contribute to clean energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions in the area.
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Siemens Energy buys Camlin Group, maker of transformer monitoring software
Siemens Energy is set to acquire Camlin Group in order to enhance grid monitoring and digitalization for integrating renewables into electricity grids. This acquisition will bring advanced sensor-based monitoring technology for transformers, enabling predictive maintenance and improving reliability. With a €220 million investment to expand its transformer factory, Siemens Energy is responding to the growing demand for stabilizing power grids. Together, the two companies aim to support utilities in managing power flows and maximizing renewable asset availability, while also working with international renewable energy companies to strengthen portfolio performance and enable earlier detection of risks.