Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements from Naturgy, CATL, Alfen, Zelestra, EnBW, among others.
Naturgy Launches 330 MW Solar and 180 MW BESS in Queensland
Naturgy Energy Group will invest more than EUR 300 million (USD 344 million) to develop the Fraser Coast hybrid renewable energy project in Queensland, Australia. The development will combine 330 MW of solar generation with a 180 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), making it Naturgy’s largest renewable energy project in Australia and its 2nd hybrid solar-plus-storage facility in the country. Construction is already underway, with full commercial operations expected in 2028. Naturgy has also secured a 10-year power purchase agreement for the project’s electricity output, providing long-term revenue certainty. Through its 75 percent-owned subsidiary Global Power Generation, alongside the 25 percent-owned Kuwait Investment Authority, Naturgy now operates an Australian renewable portfolio totalling 1.3 GW.
CATL and Alfen Partner on 5 GWh Sodium-Ion Battery Rollout
CATL and Dutch energy solutions provider Alfen have signed an agreement to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems across Europe, marking the first commercial rollout of CATL’s sodium-ion storage technology in the region. Building on their partnership established in 2023 and expanded in 2024, the companies aim to diversify battery technologies, reduce reliance on lithium and lower storage costs. Deployments are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the systems supporting medium- and large-scale grid storage projects. CATL’s Tener Sodium platform is designed for stationary energy storage, offering improved cost stability and resilience against lithium price volatility. The partnership is expected to accelerate sodium-ion battery adoption and strengthen Europe’s transition to a more diversified and resilient renewable energy system.
Zelestra and EnBW Sign 300 MW Italy Battery Storage Deal
Zelestra and German utility EnBW have signed a long-term tolling agreement covering 300 MW/1.2 GWh of battery energy storage capacity at Zelestra’s 1.2-GWh BESS project in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. Scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2028, the project is among Europe’s largest standalone battery storage developments. Under the agreement, EnBW will optimise the battery across wholesale and ancillary services markets, while Zelestra will retain ownership and oversee development, construction and operations. The partnership provides long-term revenue certainty for the project and supports Italy’s growing demand for grid flexibility as renewable energy capacity expands. The agreement strengthens both companies’ presence in the European energy storage market and highlights the increasing role of large-scale BESS in enabling a reliable, low-carbon electricity system.
TotalEnergies Unveils 216 MW Solar and 500 MWh BESS in South Africa
TotalEnergies and its partners have inaugurated the Hydra hybrid renewable energy project in South Africa’s Northern Cape, combining 216 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity with a 500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). Described as Africa’s largest hybrid renewable installation, the facility will deliver 75 MW of dispatchable electricity to the national grid between 5:00 am and 9:30 pm under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom. The project is jointly owned by TotalEnergies (35 percent), Hydra Storage Holding (35 percent) and Reatile Renewables (30 percent). Hydra is expected to generate more than 400 GWh of clean electricity annually, supplying around 200,000 households. Construction began in late 2023, supporting South Africa’s energy security and renewable energy transition.
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