News
Every Energy story we’ve published. Sourced, cross-checked, fact-verified.
Volkswagen Debuts All-Electric ID. Cross Compact SUV
Volkswagen has introduced the all-electric ID. Cross compact SUV priced from 27,995 euros, with advance sales now underway in Germany. The model provides WLTP ranges reaching 427 km along with optional premium interior appointments and assistance technologies sourced from higher vehicle classes.
BlackRock Subsidiary GIP Targets Majority Stake in Summit Ridge Energy
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a BlackRock subsidiary, intends to acquire a majority stake in community and commercial solar company Summit Ridge Energy. The partnership is expected to improve capital access and help the developer lead consolidation across a fragmented solar sector.
General Fusion finishes SPAC merger, becoming first publicly listed fusion firm
General Fusion completed its SPAC merger with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III on July 10, 2026, becoming the first publicly traded fusion company. Shares will begin trading on Nasdaq under GFUZ on Monday after an earlier $1 billion deal announcement that followed layoffs and a CEO funding plea, plus a new Italy deployment partnership with Renexia, though significant technical hurdles remain.
Energy Dept. Orders Data Centers to Use Backup Power
The Department of Energy has authorized PJM to require data centers to use backup power during a heat wave straining the grid this week. The move highlights growing electricity demand from AI-driven data centers in a region with the world's largest concentration of such facilities.
China Plans 400 km Solar Wall to Fight Desertification
China is building a 400 km solar corridor along the Kubuqi Desert that will reach 100 GW by 2030 while helping halt desert expansion. The dual-purpose project already has sections operating and could generate nearly 40 TWh of electricity annually.
Walmart signs first nuclear power purchase agreement
Walmart signed its first nuclear power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy on June 23, securing about 176 MW of zero-emission electricity from the Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois via two 15-year contracts that begin in 2029 and 2030. The deal includes 30 MW of new generation capacity and represents the retailer's initial step into nuclear energy procurement for clean power supply.
EU signs tripartite pact to speed energy storage rollout
The European Union has launched a first-of-its-kind tripartite agreement to accelerate storage deployments, with 22 member states pledging capacity over the next two years. The Commission cited 30-35GW while the formal document states 45GW; the pact aims to lower system costs, reduce price volatility and strengthen local manufacturing. The bloc is estimated to need around 200GW by 2030 against 55GW installed at the beginning of this year.
VW Weighs Up To 100,000 Job Cuts and Core Brand Spin-Off
Volkswagen Group is considering up to 100,000 global job cuts, four German plant closures after current programs end, and spinning off its core brand into a standalone entity. The restructuring would rank among the company’s largest ever as it grapples with a 44 percent profit decline and heightened competition.
Fire Engulfs Process Unit at Pennsylvania Refinery Owned by Delta Air Lines
A large fire broke out at Monroe Energy's Trainer refinery in Pennsylvania on June 25, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. The Delta Air Lines subsidiary reports no community health risks from its air monitoring, while firefighters continue battling the blaze that started in a process unit pump room.
Sunrun, Tesla, Renew Home form 16 GW distributed power plant
Sunrun, Tesla, and Renew Home will aggregate more than 16 GW of home batteries and smart devices into the largest U.S. distributed power plant, targeting data center demand driven by AI. Sunrun shares rose as much as 26 percent on the news as investors anticipate recurring revenue.
RTE outage leaves 100,000 Breton homes dark after heatwave reassurance
A heat-induced transformer explosion at an RTE substation in Ergué-Gabéric cut power to up to 106,000 Breton households on June 23, with 68,000 still affected the next morning. The outage arrived one day after RTE publicly stated there was no concern for electricity supply this summer despite rising demand and infrastructure strain from record temperatures.
NatPower taps Tesla Megapacks for 25 GWh storage push across Italy and Britain
NatPower has partnered with Tesla on a multiyear project to install 25 GWh of Megapack battery storage in Italy and Britain as the first phase of an initiative that could reach beyond 100 GWh and generate up to $15 billion in revenue over 20 years.
Energy Fuels Agrees to Buy German Magnet Producer Vacuumschmelze
Energy Fuels will acquire Vacuumschmelze GmbH for about $1.9 billion, creating a fully integrated rare earth supply chain from mine to magnet. The purchase aligns with Western efforts to lessen reliance on China for materials used in EVs, defense and advanced technology.
Octopus Energy partners with CATL on Swaptopus battery swap venture for electric trucks
Octopus Energy and CATL have created Swaptopus, a joint venture that will deploy battery-swapping stations for electric trucks across the UK and Europe by adapting technology already proven at scale in China.
Microsoft, Chevron and Engine No. 1 Reach Exclusivity Agreement on Power Supply
Microsoft, Chevron and Engine No. 1 entered an exclusivity agreement for power generation to supply AI data centers. The pact targets a proposed $7 billion natural gas-fired plant in West Texas capable of 2,500 megawatts with targeted startup in 2027.
SunZia Transmission line enters full commercial service
The SunZia Transmission line has entered full commercial service, transporting up to 3,000 MW of wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to utilities throughout the Southwest including California. The $11 billion initiative helps satisfy growing electricity needs driven by data centers, electrification, and industrial expansion while supplying renewable power sufficient for approximately 1 million American households.
Helion becomes first fusion company to win regulatory licenses for power plant
Helion Energy received the world’s first regulatory licenses for a fusion power plant from the Washington Department of Health. The milestone clears a key safety hurdle for the Orion facility that aims to supply Microsoft data centers with fusion-generated electricity by 2028.
Sembcorp completes US$4.32B Alinta Energy acquisition
Sembcorp Industries completed its AU$6.5 billion (US$4.32 billion) acquisition of Alinta Energy, adding 3.4GW operational and 10.4GW in development assets to its Australian holdings. The move expands Sembcorp's Renewables East portfolio across China, Southeast Asia and Oceania following regulatory clearances.
Qcells Starts Solar Cell Production at Largest US Factory
Qcells has started solar cell production at its Cartersville, Georgia factory, which will become the largest such facility in US history with full vertical integration from ingot to module. The site helps customers qualify for domestic content tax credits while adding 8.6 GW of total US capacity by end of Q3 2026.
GM Activates V2G for 250,000 Existing EVs
GM activated vehicle-to-grid capability for more than 250,000 existing bidirectional EVs with no new hardware required. The move positions parked vehicles as a major distributed energy resource to support grid stability amid rising demand.
GM Launches Energy Pass for Unified EV Charging
GM announced Energy Pass, a unified interface in its existing vehicle apps that connects to major charging networks representing nearly 70% of US DC fast chargers. It reduces friction from multiple apps and accounts while rolling out Plug&Charge capabilities and aligning with GM's full shift to native NACS ports.
BYD Opens First Flash Charging Station in Germany
BYD opened its first Flash Charging station in Germany that can recharge compatible EVs from 10% to 70% in five minutes at up to 1,500 kW. The Chinese manufacturer plans 3,000 such stations across Europe by the end of 2026 while expanding its Denza premium brand.
Waymo to Repurpose Robotaxi Batteries for Grid Storage
Waymo and B2U Storage Solutions announced a strategic supply agreement on June 4 to repurpose used robotaxi batteries for grid-scale storage. The pact could deliver hundreds of megawatt-hours to projects in California and Texas, creating a circular benefit by supporting the same regional power networks where the autonomous vehicles operate and recharge.
Toyota Abandons Lexus LF-ZC Electric Sedan for 2026
Toyota has abandoned its planned Lexus LF-ZC electric sedan that was due by the end of 2026. The company will instead focus on larger SUVs while continuing solid-state battery and gigacasting development for future EVs.