News

Energy Transition in Motion (Week of July 18, 2025)

Hart Energy · last updated July 18, 2025 – 7:02 PM

Wind and solar energy projects on federal land and water in the U.S. must now go through an elevated review process as President Donald Trump pushes a so-called energy dominance agenda.

The Interior Department on July 17 said all department-related decisions and actions regarding such facilities—including leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions, among other areas—will be reviewed by the Office of the Secretary to “ensure all evaluations are thorough and deliberative.”

The move was taken as the Trump administration seeks to end what it called “preferential treatment” for solar and wind energy.

“American Energy Dominance is driven by U.S.-based production of reliable baseload energy, not regulatory favoritism towards unreliable energy projects that are solely dependent on taxpayer subsidies and foreign-sourced equipment,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said in a news release.

Actions will include removing right-of-way and capacity fee discounts for existing and future wind and solar projects as mandated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was signed into law July 4. Removing the advantages levels the playing field for other energy sources such as coal and natural gas, the department said.

The directive could slow development of solar and wind energy projects as some renewable energy companies race to qualify for federal tax credits that will expire sooner than originally planned under the budget reconciliation bill.

Big Beautiful Bill Delivers No Clean Energy Miracle

Here’s a roundup of more renewable energy news.

Energy storage

GeologicAI Raises $44MMM in Critical Minerals Development Push

Canada-based GeologicAI, which uses artificial intelligence and high-resolution decision engineering to find and develop critical minerals, raised $44 million in a Series B funding round, the company said July 17.

The round was led by Blue Earth Capital with participation from mining companies BHP Ventures and Rio Tinto. They join other backers, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures. GeologicAI said it will use the funding to scale globally, expand its proprietary AI and sensor technologies and grow its presence in key mining areas.

“GeologicAI’s platform combines a complete range of sensors with advanced machine learning and deep industry domain expertise, scanning and analyzing drill core in real time,” the company said in a news release. “Its high-resolution data and enhanced models provide geologists, minerals strategists and investors with unprecedented insight and speed in decision-making, dramatically improving exploration efficiency and reducing environmental impact—essential as the world faces increasing pressure to secure sustainable sources of critical minerals.”

GeologicAI said its technology is currently being used as part of exploration and development projects on five continents.

Smackover Lithium Sees Record Lithium Brine Concentration in SWA Project Area

The Lester well pad is in the southwest Arkansas project area. (Source: Standard Lithium)

The latest exploration well of Smackover Lithium, the joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has recorded the company’s highest lithium concentration to date, Standard said July 15.

Sampling of brine from the Lester well, which was drilled in the southwest Arkansas project area, showed a lithium concentration of more than 600 mg/L, the company said. The well was completed in the second quarter, wrapping up subsurface exploration activities for the first phase of the SWA project. The average of three samples was 582 mg/L.

“We completed this final well in a part of the project area where we expected the lithium concentration to be approximately 500 mg/L, so we’re encouraged with these latest sampling results that show the highest lithium concentrations in the whole SWA Project area (maximum 616 mg/L), demonstrating a marked improvement from levels in the existing world-class lithium brine resource,” Standard Lithium President and COO Andy Robinson said. “With all of the fieldwork complete, the joint Smackover Lithium team is working to complete the FEED study, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected later in the third quarter of this year.”

The developers are targeting a final investment decision by year-end 2025.

BHP, CATL to Explore Batteries in Mines, Vehicles

Miner BHP on July 14 said it has signed two separate agreements with battery technology companies CATL and BYD Group’s FinDreams Battery Co. (FDB) to explore opportunities for battery use for its mining equipment and locomotives.

Working with FDB, BHP said it will examine powertrain battery solutions for heavy mining equipment and locomotives with flash-charging infrastructure. The memorandum of understanding also includes exploring BYD’s commercial and light vehicles for use in BHP’s mining operations.

The agreement with CATL will also investigate opportunities for batteries in mining equipment and locomotives. It will also explore energy storage systems and battery recycling options at BHP’s mines.

The agreements could help lower BHP’s direct emissions and bring down power costs. BHP aims to reduce its operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.

Hydrogen

Hazer, EnergyPathways Ink MOU for Methane Pyrolysis H2 Facility in UK

Australia-based Hazer Group and U.K.-based EnergyPathways (EPP) have signed a non-binding agreement to evaluate development of a proposed hydrogen production facility with an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes.

The facility will be integrated into EPP’s Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project in northwest England, Hazer Group said July 15 in a news release.

Under terms set in the memorandum of understanding, the two companies agreed to negotiate a definite binding agreement to carry out concept engineering studies for the proposed project. Plans are to use feedstock from the hub to produce, store and distribute hydrogen, ammonia and graphite in northwest England.

“This collaboration reflects the growing global momentum behind methane pyrolysis as a scalable clean hydrogen pathway and highlights Hazer’s role in supporting industrial decarbonization both in the U.K. and internationally,” Hazer CEO Glenn Corrie said.

EPP’s MESH project will be connected to the U.K.’s national electricity grid. EnergyPathways CEO Ben Clube said the company believes Hazer will deliver the lowest cost of clean hydrogen production in the U.K.

“The MOU and MESH’s hydrogen facility will offer a line of sight to the cost-effective decarbonization pathway for Scope 3 emissions associated with future U.K. gas development projects,” Clube said. “The project will also produce hydrogen at scale that can further decarbonize MESH’s flexible and affordable low-carbon power capability. We look forward to progressing the studies associated with this MOU through the scoping phase as we assess feasibility.”

Stellantis Discontinues Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program, Van Production

(Reuters) Carmaker Stellantis said on July 16 it would discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology program and no longer launch hydrogen-powered vehicles this year, raising questions about the future of hydrogen subsidiary Symbio.

The group said the decision was due to the limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, high capital requirements and the need for stronger purchase incentives for customers.

“The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability,” Jean-Philippe Imparato, COO of enlarged Europe and European brands for Stellantis, said in a statement.

Car part suppliers Michelin and Forvia said Stellantis’ decision came as a surprise and would have “serious operational and financial consequences” for Symbio, a joint venture in which Stellantis acquired a stake in 2023. Stellantis is its main customer, accounting for nearly 80% of Symbio’s business volume, said Forvia.

“Michelin’s primary concern lies with the impact this will have on Symbio’s employees, both in France and abroad,” the tiremaker said in a statement.

Symbio employs more than 650 people, according to its website. It opened a gigafactory in eastern France in 2023 as well as a new site in California.

Stellantis said it has initiated discussions with Symbio shareholders to evaluate the current market consequences and to preserve the best interests of the joint venture, in line with their respective obligations.

Solar

Sabanci Acquires Texas Solar Project from OCI Energy

Sabanci Renewables has acquired the utility-scale Project Pepper solar project in McLennan County, Texas, from OCI Energy, according to a July 15 news release.

The transaction amount was not disclosed.

Sabanci will finance, construct, own and operate the 120-megawatt (MW) project, which is expected to begin commercial operations in third-quarter 2027.

Tolga Kaan Doğancıoğlu, CEO of Sabanci Climate Technologies, said the project aligns with the company’s growth strategy.

“This collaboration reflects our confidence in the U.S. energy market and our commitment to scaling a resilient power portfolio,” Doğancıoğlu said. “With this latest addition, we now hold 660 MWdc of solar capacity either operational or under construction, building toward our long-term goal of a 3,000 MWdc renewable portfolio by 2030.”

Sidley Austin provided legal services for OCI Energy, while Troutmann Pepper Locke provided legal services for Sabanci Renewables.

Recurrent Reels In $260MM for Blue Moon in Kentucky

Recurrent Energy has closed on $260 million in project financing and tax equity for the 94-megawatt (MW) Blue Moon solar project in Kentucky, its parent company Canadian Solar said July 17.

U.S. Bank, through its subsidiary U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, is providing tax equity and construction financing, while Constellation will purchase power and renewable energy certificates produced at Blue Moon as part of a power purchase agreement (PPA).

Blue Moon, which is in Harrison County, is expected to begin commercial operation in 2026. It is Recurrent’s first project in Kentucky.

Geronimo Power Breaks Ground on Solar Project in Wisconsin

Geronimo Power, formerly National Grid Renewables, has started construction on its 250-megawatt (MW) Portage solar project in Wisconsin, the company said July 15.

Located in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market, the solar project has a power purchase agreement in place with Microsoft. Geronimo partnered with the Burns & McDonnell engineering, procurement and construction firm for the project.

“The true value of renewable energy isn’t in the power it provides to the local grid,” said Joe Ibrahim, vice president of construction at Geronimo Power. “It’s about the immensely positive impact to local economies in the form of new revenue streams and job creation. We anticipate the addition of Portage Solar to our Wisconsin portfolio will contribute more than $100 million statewide—that’s a huge milestone for us and a big win for our project communities.”

Operations are expected to begin in 2027.

DESRI Begins Construction at Solar, Storage Project in NM

Construction has started on the 150-MW Santa Teresa solar and storage project DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and partner El Paso Electric are developing in New Mexico.

Located in Doña Ana County, the project will include a 600 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system provided by LG Energy Solution Vertech.

“The Santa Teresa Project is a cornerstone of DESRI’s growing partnership with El Paso Electric and a prominent example of how cost-effective solar and storage assets can power New Mexico’s future,” Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI, said July 14 in a news release. “The project not only contributes to regional grid stability via large-scale energy storage, but it also underscores our shared commitment to clean energy and economic development in Doña Ana County and across the state.”

The project, which has a 20-year PPA in place with El Paso Electric, is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 60,000 homes annually, DESRI said.

Wind

New York Halts Offshore Wind Transmission Plan Amid Federal Uncertainty

(Reuters) The New York State Public Service Commission has terminated its offshore wind transmission planning process due to stalled federal permitting to protect state ratepayers from premature infrastructure costs, it said on July 17.

This halts the Public Policy Transmission Need (PPTN) process of seeking proposals to deliver up to 8 gigawatts of offshore wind power into New York City by 2033.

The commission cited recent federal actions halting new offshore wind leasing and permitting, which it said make short-term project execution unfeasible.

“Given the uncertainty coming out of Washington, we must act to protect consumers,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “This is not the end—we’ll move forward once the federal government resumes permitting.”

New York’s commitment to offshore wind remains strong, the commission noted. Existing projects like South Fork Wind, Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind are unaffected and continue to move forward.

The commission has directed its staff to apply lessons from the PPTN process to future planning, focusing on affordability, reliability and risk reduction. Further guidance will be incorporated into the 2026 Clean Energy Standard Biennial Review.

ABS, Flowra Partner to Advance Floating Offshore Wind

ABS has teamed up with the Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) to explore new floating offshore wind technologies.

Based in Japan, FLOWRA partners with other organizations to research and develop basic technologies for floating offshore wind to reduce costs and risks.

Rob Langford, vice president of global offshore renewables at ABS, called the partnership a great opportunity.

“By leveraging ABS’ deep domain experience in offshore energy and leaning into our shared interests in the development of practical standards and requirements, ABS and FLOWRA aim to support a safer future for the global floating wind industry,” he said.

OVO Energy to Launch New Renewables arm to Modernize Wind Farms

(Reuters) British energy supplier OVO Energy said on July 17 it plans to launch a new renewable energy arm to help modernize existing aging onshore wind farms to prolong their lifespan and boost output.

OVO Renewables will have an initial investment of hundreds of millions of pounds. The first phase of modernization could deliver up to 500 MW of capacity, enough to power about 400,000 British homes, OVO said in a statement.

Britain built some of the world’s first onshore wind farms in the 1990s, but many are aging. New wind farms are often not accepted by local communities and face planning consent delays.

OVO Energy is one of the largest energy suppliers in Britain and supplies gas and electricity to about 4.5 million customers.

Hart Energy Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.

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