Renewables
Land-based wind power pipeline shrinks as price gap with solar widens
The latest market report from the American Clean Power Association (ACP) shows that in the second quarter of 2026, the United States added nearly 5 gigawatts of new onshore wind capacity, but the project pipeline decreased by 4% quarter-over-quarter, mainly due to regulatory review and price pressures. Meanwhile, the PPA price gap between onshore wind and solar photovoltaics widened to $22.39 per megawatt-hour, setting a historical record. ACP Senior Vice President John Hensley stated that at least 44 gigawatts of wind projects are backlogged in U.S. Department of Defense reviews, and recent court rulings may prompt a resumption of these reviews. Although the overall clean energy pipeline exceeds 200 gigawatts, wind projects face challenges such as grid interconnection bottlenecks and cost competition.
California sues Trump administration over offshore wind ‘extortion racket’
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission sued the Trump administration and developer Golden State Wind on Friday over a 'buyback' agreement for offshore wind leases. The lawsuit characterizes the arrangement as 'extortion' and criticizes the government for forcing developers to redirect funds toward fossil fuels.
Long-term enhanced geothermal test begins in Utah
The U.S. state of Utah has launched a four-month long-term test of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS), aiming to reduce technical risks and verify commercial viability.
Trump’s energy policy could cost US 540 GW of renewables, says NRDC
An NRDC report warns that the Trump administration's energy policies could cause the US to lose up to 540 GW of renewable energy capacity over the next decade, with new natural gas generation of only about 9 GW, which cannot fill the gap and would raise residential electricity prices.
创纪录地热竞标显示联邦租赁兴趣升温
美国土地管理局（BLM）6月在新墨西哥州举行的地热租赁拍卖创下多项纪录：47个地块以平均每英亩107美元成交，总金额超过1650万美元，为BLM历史上第二高拍卖收入；其中最高出价达每英亩701美元，刷新联邦纪录。分析机构Enverus Intelligence Research指出，竞标热度上升与电力需求增长及输电基础设施可达性密切相关，并预计后续犹他州、内华达州和爱达荷州的拍卖将延续这一趋势。
Xcel subsidiary asks Colorado Supreme Court to intervene in wind grid land dispute
Colorado Public Service Company (PSCo), unable to connect two wind projects totaling over 1 GW due to a roughly 550-foot easement dispute, has requested the state Supreme Court's intervention. After a lower court rejected its eminent domain application, PSCo has also filed an appeal with the state Court of Appeals.
Texas 110 MW Solar Project Receives Financing Support from Gamers
Gamers provide partial offtake support for a 110 MW solar project in Texas through virtual power purchase agreements, and the project has entered commercial operation.
Appeals court rules to unfreeze $20 billion in federal climate grants
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday overturned a previous panel ruling, blocking the Trump administration from rescinding $20 billion in climate grants. The court found that the Environmental Protection Agency's attempt to terminate and recover funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund may violate the Inflation Reduction Act.
Dominion Offshore Wind Project Costs Rise by Nearly $300 Million More, Total Budget Climbs to About $11.7 Billion
Dominion Energy disclosed on Friday (July 31) that its total cost estimate for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project has risen to approximately $11.7 billion, an increase of $288 million from April, due to PJM grid upgrade costs, Trump administration tariffs, and adjustments to turbine installation schedules. The project's completion date has been delayed from early 2026 to the end of 2027. Additionally, the company provided updates on its merger progress with NextEra Energy, its data center pipeline, and plans to sell non-regulated assets.
FirstEnergy data center contracts surge 50% in Q2, CEO says another 1.5GW to be signed within two weeks
During its Q2 2026 earnings call, FirstEnergy disclosed that its utility companies have signed contracts to serve 6.4GW of data center load through 2035, up 50% from Q1, and expects to sign another 1.5GW within two weeks. The company's total data center demand, including potential customer pipeline, grew 30% quarter-over-quarter to 24.8GW, with the West Virginia pipeline surging 155% to 4.1GW. The company is also advancing the Maidsville Energy Center project and has signed the White House Taxpayer Protection Pledge.