Your Daily Renewable Energy Briefing

States Advance Policies, EU Funds South Asia Connectivity, and US Solar Soars Despite Headwinds

• Several U.S. states are enacting new policies to accelerate renewable energy development; Colorado's House Bill 26-1268 facilitates recycling industrial lands for renewable projects, while Washington's Senate Bill 5982 includes large energy consumers like data centers in clean energy regulations and Senate Bill 6010 mandates tribal consultation for new energy projects. Oregon's House Bill 4031 speeds up siting for large renewable projects to leverage expiring federal tax credits, and House Bill 4076 allows for increased electricity generation on existing clean energy sites.

  Nature

• The European Union launched a new €5 million, four-year initiative called the Energy Connectivity in South Asia (ECSA) project on July 9, 2026, aimed at increasing regional electricity trade, improving energy security, and integrating renewable energy resources across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This project, funded by the EU and implemented by Expertise France, seeks to support a more connected regional power market delivering affordable, clean, and reliable electricity.

  Europa Eu

• Despite federal policy changes and tax credit phaseouts, utility-scale solar power is projected to significantly expand in the United States, with an anticipated 42,971 megawatts to be added in 2026, marking a 45% increase over 2025. A surprising finding from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report indicates that while Trump administration policies aim to boost fossil fuels, their efforts to prop up coal plants could paradoxically lead to less growth in gas power than would have occurred under Biden's policies.

  InsideclimatenewsWashington Post