Focus
California’s new gold rush? 31 transmission projects worth $4.8B approved to meet electric load growth
Renewable Energy World – May 27
The California Independent System Operator Board of Governors has approved the ISO’s 2024-2025 transmission plan, recommending 31 infrastructure projects to help meet projected load growth and changing grid conditions. Drafted in close consultation with the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and other local regulatory authorities, the 2024-2025 plan is based on state projections provided to the ISO in 2024, indicating that California needs to add more than 76 GW of capacity by 2039.
News
Ninth Circuit revives tribal challenge to energy transmission line
Courthouse News Service – May 27
Southern Arizona tribes will have another chance to challenge the construction of a transmission line through their ancestral homeland after the Ninth Circuit found the trial judge dismissed it based on the wrong standards. The court ruled this Tuesday that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s “final agency decision” in approving the 550-mile wind energy transmission line was its 2023 notice to proceed with construction, not the 2015 approval of the route as the defendants argue.
U.S. solar generation surpasses hydropower electricity in Q1
Solar Power World – May 27
The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that the mix of renewable energy sources produced over one-quarter of the nation’s electrical generation in the first three months of 2025 and provided nearly one-third of total U.S. electrical generation in March specifically. Utility-scale solar expanded by 43.9% while estimated small-scale/rooftop solar PV increased by 11.1% during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
USGS: Enhanced geothermal systems in the Great Basin could supply 10% of U.S. electricity demand
Green Car Congress – May 28
Geothermal energy in the Great Basin of Nevada and adjoining states could produce electricity equal to one-tenth of the current U.S. power supply, according to a new paper released by the US Geological Survey (USGS). The projected 10% would be a major increase, as geothermal energy currently generates less than 1% of the nation’s power supply.
Projects
San Diego Community Power finalizes 2 solar+battery projects
The San Diego Union-Tribune – May 28
San Diego Community Power has lined up a pair of solar and battery storage projects that, when completed, will account for about one-fifth of the community choice energy program’s renewable energy goals. Community Power’s board members unanimously amended the terms of a contract with the Pelican’s Jaw Solar project in the San Joaquin Valley and in a separate move, revised an agreement with Noble Solar for a solar-plus-storage facility near the California-Nevada border last week.
Energy Estate buys site in California green hydrogen hub
Renewables Now – May 22
Energy Estate has acquired a California project that will integrate large-scale behind-the-meter solar capacity to produce green hydrogen for transport and other industries. Called the San Luis Industrial Complex, the project is part of the $12.6-billion Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems public-private partnership that aims to speed up the deployment of green hydrogen projects and related infrastructure.
NYSERDA grants RECs for 450 MW Boralex solar projects in New York
EnergyTech – May 28
Boralex has gained Tier-1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for two of its proposed utility-scale solar projects in New York. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) granted the REC agreement with Boralex. The certificates are connected to the company’s Fort Covington and Two Rivers solar projects, totaling 450 MW in generation capacity.
*This article may require a subscription to read.
[View source.]
