The latest renewable energy news include announcements from Colbun, Cuatro Vientos wind project in Chile, battery storage in the US, KPI Green Energy, and others.
Colbun Wins Approval for $540 Million, 346 MW Cuatro Vientos Wind Farm in Chile
Colbun has secured environmental approval for the 346 MW Cuatro Vientos wind project in Chile’s Los Lagos region, clearing a major development milestone for an investment estimated at $540 million. The project in Llanquihue will comprise 48 wind turbines rated at 7.2 MW each and is expected to generate about 800 GWh of renewable electricity annually. Infrastructure will include a new step-up substation and approximately 15 km of transmission line connecting the facility to the existing Tineo substation. Construction is expected to take around 24 months, supporting an average of 351 jobs, while about 10 positions are expected during operations. Colbún is targeting initial operation during the first half of 2028, subject to remaining sector permits.
US Adds Record 20.2 GWh of Battery Storage in Q2 2026, Up 108%
The US installed a record 20.2 GWh of battery energy storage in the second quarter of 2026, representing a 108 percent increase from Q1 and the largest quarterly deployment yet, according to data highlighted by Renewables Now. Utility-scale projects contributed roughly 18 GWh, including seven gigawatt-hour-scale installations. Arizona led with 6.2 GWh, followed by Texas with 3.8 GWh and California with 3.6 GWh. About 56 percent of utility-scale capacity was standalone storage and 44 percent was paired with solar. Total H1 installations reached 30.8 GWh, up 23 percent year on year. Residential storage moved in the opposite direction, falling 27 percent to 657 MWh. The 2026 full-year outlook is around 71 GWh, with projections reaching 683 GWh through 2030.
KPI Green Secures 76.6 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Project in Gujarat KPI Green Energy has received a Letter of Intent for a 76.6 MW DC wind-solar hybrid project in Gujarat, expanding its commercial and industrial renewable-energy portfolio. The Group Captive project combines 33.6 MW of wind capacity with 33.6 MW AC/43 MW DC of solar capacity. A special-purpose vehicle will be established to develop, own and operate the asset for an undisclosed private-sector customer. KPI Green is responsible for development, construction and commissioning. The project must be completed within 14 months of Stage-2 connectivity and no later than December 31, 2027. Electricity will be supplied under a 25-year Energy Supply Agreement. The contract strengthens KPI Green’s position in India’s growing group-captive market, where industrial buyers are increasingly securing long-term wind-solar combinations to reduce electricity costs and emissions.
SHAFANA FAZAL
