Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements from ABB, Orsted, Envision Energy, Sasol, Goldwind, Ummbila Wind Farm, among others.
ABB Invests in LevelTen Energy to Expand Clean Energy Procurement
ABB has made a minority investment in LevelTen Energy and formed a strategic partnership to strengthen clean energy procurement services for industrial and commercial customers. LevelTen, headquartered in the United States, has facilitated more than 20 GW of clean energy transactions across more than 35 markets in North America and Europe. The partnership combines ABB’s electrification, digital, energy management and carbon advisory capabilities with LevelTen’s clean energy marketplace, including power purchase agreements. ABB aims to help customers secure long-term renewable electricity while supporting 24/7 operations, emissions reduction and energy optimization. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.
Orsted Starts 250 MW / 500 MWh Texas Battery Storage Project
Orsted has started commercial operations at its 250 MW / 500 MWh Old 300 Storage project in Needville, Texas, its 12th project in the state. The battery system joins Orsted’s 6 GW U.S. onshore portfolio and is co-located with the 430 MW Old 300 Solar project, which has supplied about 80,000 homes and businesses since 2024. Together, the projects are expected to generate about $110 million in property tax revenue. Tesla Megapacks manufactured in California power the storage facility; the technology has been deployed in more than 65 countries. Orsted’s roughly 250 employees operate projects across eight states.
Envision and Sasol Plan Green Hydrogen System in South Africa
Envision Energy and Sasol are collaborating on a design study for a potential green hydrogen system at Sasol’s Sasolburg operations in South Africa. The project will assess integration of renewable power, battery energy storage and electrolyser technologies to optimize green hydrogen production. Potential applications include eMethanol and sustainable aviation fuel, supporting lower-carbon fuel and chemical production. The study will evaluate energy availability, market conditions and operational requirements while leveraging Sasol’s existing industrial infrastructure. Expected to be completed later in 2026, the study will provide technical and commercial insights that could support future investment decisions in South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen economy.
South Africa’s 155 MW Ummbila Wind Farm Starts Operations, Creates 1,200 Jobs
Phase One of South Africa’s Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm has started commercial operations with 155 MW capacity from 25 Goldwind 6.2 MW turbines featuring 183.5-meter rotors. The wider complex will comprise 750 MW of wind, 150 MW of solar PV and 800 MWh of energy storage, with completion targeted for 2027. Phase One created more than 1,200 jobs, while peak cluster employment could reach 2,000. The project is expected to generate about 480,000 MWh annually, power roughly 500,000 households and avoid around 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. More than 50 percent of wind-sector roles overlap with coal-sector skills.
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