AGP Executive Report

AI-driven demand reshapes power planning: The US EIA says electricity use will hit new records in 2026-27 as AI data centers and electrification push demand higher, with renewables rising and coal’s share slipping. Grid reliability under pressure: A report warns PJM could fall short of emergency peak power by June 2027 as spare capacity shrinks, with data-center growth cited as structural strain. Data centers meet storage and new tech: GM is developing sodium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage aimed at data centers, while GM and others keep betting on batteries to manage peak loads. Utility incentives and affordability: A Michigan case highlights how cost-of-service regulation can drive rate hikes even when customers feel squeezed. South Africa’s renewables push: Eskom launched “Eskom Green” to accelerate utility-scale renewables for large power users, targeting gaps between awarded projects and what gets built. Renewables expansion abroad: Morocco plans ~$16B over five years to add 16 GW of solar and wind, aiming to push renewables above 45% of its mix. Local impacts and policy: New York’s POWER rebate checks face scrutiny as utility rates keep rising, and India’s Uttar Pradesh regulator approved 110 MW of feeder-level solarization PPAs. Energy security in shocks: After a 7.8 quake in southern Mindanao, the Philippines’ NEA reactivated restoration teams for hundreds of thousands of connections. Household cost reality: New Zealand coverage breaks down winter electricity costs, from hot-water heating schedules to heat-pump usage.

Data-center power pressure in the US: AWS unveiled a plan for a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7bn investment and a $1.25bn payment to offset higher electricity costs for local ratepayers. Grid resilience after disasters: In the Philippines, the NEA reactivated Task Force Kapatid to restore power to about 803,230 connections after a 7.8 quake hit Mindanao, with multiple cooperatives reporting total or partial outages. Solar policy streamlining in India: MNRE relaxed ALMM rules, allowing certain higher-wattage solar PV module variants (up to 3% more) to be enlisted without a new factory inspection if made on the same line. Renewables buildout in Europe: Romania’s largest solar park, Nofar’s Iepurești (169 MW), has entered operational phase, with plans to expand and integrate storage. Energy transition financing in Egypt: NREA, EETC and Alcazar Energy signed $420m deals for the 580-MW Gabal El-Zeit wind farm, with long-term offtake arrangements. Storage momentum in France: France’s regulator picked five Corsica storage projects totaling ~48 MW (pumped hydro plus BESS) for 2029-2030. Clean power for AI cooling: Schneider Electric launched the Uniflair XCA chiller line for high-density AI data centers, targeting improved energy performance and stability.

AI & Power Grid Stress: A new “power, not chips” push is reshaping AI buildouts, with Nixxy and Tachyon9 proposing a publicly traded AI infrastructure-and-power platform anchored by up to 1GW generation at a North Dakota hyperscale campus. US Grid Reform Fight: Soaring data-center demand is driving political pressure on PJM, with federal officials floating a breakup and FERC warning reforms may require splitting the grid operator. Affordability & Reliability: New Zealand is moving to protect households from winter shortages and price spikes via a Winter Energy Reliability Obligation and dry-year backup rules, while scrapping a levy-funded LNG terminal plan. Coal vs Health: Saskatchewan health groups are urging the province to abandon extending coal-fired power to 2050, citing major public health costs. LNG & Gas-to-Power Deals: Eskom and Zululand Energy Terminal signed an HoA for Eskom to become a foundation customer for a planned LNG terminal supporting South Africa’s gas-to-power program. Nuclear Momentum (US): Ohio launched the Ohio Nuclear Alliance to build a unified voice for nuclear expansion. Renewables Buildout: Egypt signed $420m investment and power purchase agreements for Alcazar Energy’s 580MW Gabal El Zeit wind project.

Data Centers & Grid Strain: AWS is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7bn investment and a $1.25bn payment to offset added electricity costs for local ratepayers, as communities push back on power demand growth. Energy Storage Momentum: UK developer Fidra Energy bought the 1,025MW Enderby BESS project, targeting operations in 2029, while California’s Tumbleweed battery is set to prove longer-duration discharge (up to eight hours) for 24/7 clean power. Solar-to-Storage Shift: At China’s SNEC, energy storage overtook PV as the main draw as module oversupply and price pressure push manufacturers toward integrated solar-plus-storage. AI-Energy Nexus: A WEF report says the AI infrastructure race is moving from bigger GPUs to balancing distributed inference with energy limits and resilience, boosting demand for regional data centers and edge power. Regional Power Disruptions: A 7.8 quake hit Mindanao, with transmission restored in parts of southern Philippines but hardest-hit areas still facing outages. Policy & Reliability: Ukraine announced five programs to help businesses and households install backup power and cogeneration amid ongoing energy attacks. Africa Power Ambition: Lesotho signed a $6.2bn hydropower-and-AI data center deal aimed at turning it into a renewable exporter.

Nuclear Buildout: Uzbekistan has officially started construction of its first nuclear power plant, authorizing work on a small modular reactor unit in Farish, with Russia’s Rosatom and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi attending via video. AI & Grid Strain: UN University warns data centers’ electricity use already rivals major countries and says water and energy impacts could double in four years as AI grows. Power Affordability Pressure: Bangladesh lawmakers grilled the power minister over loadshedding; peak demand is put at ~18,000MW, with disruptions blamed on fuel, grid limits, weather, and maintenance. Green Finance Signal: Alphabet entered municipal bonds with a ~$1B prepaid energy deal tied to long-term clean power, highlighting AI-driven electricity demand. Policy Push for Renewables: Bangladesh’s CPD urged ending “fiscal discrimination” that favors fossil fuels, arguing renewables get under 5% of development budgets. Gas-to-Power Momentum: Eskom and Zululand Energy Terminal signed an HOA to advance South Africa’s LNG-to-power plan, positioning Eskom as a foundation customer for open-access regasification. Local Utility Politics: St. Petersburg, Florida voted to study replacing Duke Energy with a city-run utility as its franchise nears expiry. Storm Restorations: PSEG LI said thousands remain without power after a Long Island storm, with crews continuing restoration.

Regional Power Deals: Afghanistan’s CASA-1000 transmission build is advancing in three phases, targeting 1,300MW of Central Asian hydropower and about $60m a year in transit revenue. Clean Power Procurement: EDF and Masdar locked in 15-year PPA terms for California’s Big Beau solar-plus-storage (128MWac + 40MW/160MWh). Philippines Buildout: Acwa Power Philippines signed a lease for a 500-hectare New Clark City site to develop up to 500MW solar PV with battery storage, aiming to feed the Green Energy Auction Program. Grid & Storage Policy: South Africa’s Eskom unbundling plans face scrutiny after Moody’s warned transmission separation could weaken credit quality. Battery Siting Fight: Washington’s Snoqualmie moved to a moratorium as residents protest a proposed large BESS facility, echoing earlier backlash in the region. Energy Costs & Taxes: Bangladesh’s CPD says fiscal rules discriminate against renewables and storage versus fossil fuels, raising the cost of the energy transition. Nuclear Momentum: Uzbekistan began construction on its first $9.5bn nuclear plant with IAEA-aligned preparations. Energy Security Shock: Peru’s silver output is threatened as a Camisea gas pipeline rupture drives power costs up and risks rationing. AI Power Pressure: A new push to build virtual power plants highlights how distributed flexibility could help manage surging data-center demand.

Grid Reliability Scrutiny (Philippines): Senate President pro tempore Sherwin Gatchalian filed a probe into NGCP’s frequent red/yellow alerts, citing Luzon and Visayas periods of tight supply margins ahead of possible El Niño-driven strain. Nuclear Safety & Resilience (Ukraine): The IAEA said external power returned to the Zaporizhzhia plant after a 15-hour blackout, underscoring how fragile off-site electricity is for cooling shutdown reactors. AI Data Centers Shift Power Sourcing (US): Google is moving away from new generation by contracting with Voltus to tap aggregated household flexibility across the PJM grid, effectively turning homes into a distributed power buffer. Distributed Storage Momentum (Global): BMX launched semi-solid-state magnetic power banks, positioning safer thermal performance as demand grows for compact backup power. Renewables in Practice (Africa/Asia): Zimbabwe’s Centragrid Solar Plant added 25MW to the grid, while Egypt is in talks with China Energy and EPPEI to scale renewables integration, grid upgrades, and storage. Energy Under Fire (Ukraine/Region): Kherson’s Dnipro district lost power after Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. Storm Impacts (US): Houston-area storms knocked out power for thousands, with outages tracked across multiple regions. Nuclear Buildout (Uzbekistan): Uzbekistan began construction of its first civilian nuclear plant, pegged at about $9.5bn, with work aligned to IAEA standards.

Nuclear Momentum: Uzbekistan has begun construction of its first nuclear power plant, with the project set in Jizzakh and backed by a $9.5B cost cap and a preferential Russian export loan, aiming for about 17 billion kWh annually. Grid Reliability Shock: Jamaica suffered an all-island blackout; Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called it “unacceptable,” while JPS said it’s restarting all power stations and investigating a system failure. Advanced Reactor Milestone (US): The U.S. Energy Department says Antares’ microreactor at Idaho National Lab reached criticality, a step toward electricity generation in a few years. Coal Policy Push (US): President Trump announced $700M to build or refurbish coal power infrastructure, citing Defense Production Act authority to protect and restart coal plants. Renewables & Storage (India): MKC Green Energy won a LoA for a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone BESS in Uttar Pradesh with VGF support, while NTPC is seeking flexible sub-critical thermal units to balance rising renewables. Industrial Clean Power (India): IMFA signed a 29-year captive PPA for 65 MW of hybrid renewables (solar, wind, and BESS), targeting a major cut in annual emissions. Energy Transition Reality Check (Ghana): A Ghana-focused brief warns that only 52% of power injected into the grid is paid for, threatening the country’s renewable expansion plans unless payment and losses are fixed. Data Centers & Power Demand: New reporting highlights how AI-driven data center buildouts are tightening electricity supply and raising costs, adding pressure to already strained grids. Local Solar Adoption (Philippines): PRO-8 inaugurated a 48 kW solar PV system at Camp Ruperto Kangleon as the first phase of a multi-phase efficiency push.

Nuclear Security: Qatar reiterated condemnation of an attack on the UAE’s Barakah plant at an IAEA Board of Governors emergency session. Grid & Reliability: The U.S. DOE said Antares’ Mark-O microreactor hit criticality at Idaho National Lab, while DOE also flagged a successful “zero-power fueled criticality” test for the same reactor design. Nuclear Buildout: Japan’s METI proposed rebuilding 2–5 reactors by the 2040s and 11–14 by 2050 to add up to 16 GW as AI-driven demand grows. Data Centers Meet Power: Amazon says AWS routing changes cut networking energy use by 40%, and Google/Intersect broke ground on a Texas Meitner Energy Center pairing 1GW+ renewables and storage with a colocated data center. Policy Clash: North Carolina advanced a data center bill that would require Duke to build a nuclear plant before retiring coal or gas. Renewables Expansion: Ateneo researchers named three Visayas straits as top tidal sites, and NextEra celebrated Colorado’s new battery storage project. Market & Finance: Hallador Energy began DOE award negotiations for up to $27.2M to modernize Indiana’s Merom plant. Geopolitics & Fuel Risk: Strait of Hormuz disruption is reshaping energy security debates, with more focus on storage-backed power resilience.

Grid Security in War Zones: The IAEA brokered a temporary local ceasefire near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia NPP to let repairs begin on the 750-kilovolt Dniprovska power line, after repeated outages forced the plant to rely on emergency diesel. Energy Market Shock & Geopolitics: The Strait of Hormuz closure is reshaping Asia’s fuel flows, with India portrayed as continuing supply to vulnerable neighbors while China tightens exports and adds conditions. Nuclear Expansion Moves: Russia and Uzbekistan launched construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear plant, described as a hybrid of small and large units built by Rosatom. Renewables + Storage Scale-Up: CATL expects energy storage to reach half of global battery sales by 2030, while HiTHIUM unveiled an 8-hour long-duration BESS at SNEC 2026. Clean Power Policy & Bills: Philippines’ BIR clarified VAT treatment for lifeline and green energy auction charges to avoid double taxation, and Maryland/Virginia approved plug-in balcony solar rules. Project & Deal Watch: Inox Clean Energy agreed to buy Vena Energy India’s 6 GW renewables portfolio; South Africa’s ACTOM highlighted NECRT transformer delivery for renewable grid integration. Data Centers Get Power Plans: Westmeath approved a €1bn data centre and hybrid energy campus, and EU unveiled an energy digitalisation roadmap tied to AI and data centres. Regional Reliability Investments: Ground broke on Colorado’s Weld Energy Center, a $141m battery storage project for four Northern Colorado communities.

Grid Governance Under Strain: U.S. officials are weighing breaking up PJM, the nation’s biggest grid operator, as AI-driven data centers push demand and prices up across 13 states. Nuclear Buildout: Kazakhstan says its first nuclear plant is set to cover about 20% of current electricity demand, with construction starting in 2027 and first unit operation targeted for 2034. Coal Backed by Defense Powers: Trump announced up to $700m in support for coal plants and a West Coast export terminal, citing the Defense Production Act amid rising power needs from data centers. Tariff Relief in Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s power regulator reversed a lifeline tariff hike after a day, keeping low-income rates unchanged and shifting compensation to utilities via subsidies. Renewables Policy Push: Bangladesh energy experts urged top budget priority for renewables, calling for solar support and limits on new coal/oil/LNG projects. Malaysia ESG Momentum: Tenaga Nasional (TNB) touts an upgraded “AA” MSCI ESG rating and says it digitized hundreds of ESG indicators across its asset base. Fusion Funding: Helion closed a $465m Series G to accelerate fusion commercialization. Local Power Disruption: A tree contractor caused outages for thousands in Michigan’s Genesee County, with restoration expected by evening. Solar Expansion: Saskatoon’s $7.3m solar farm began operating, targeting power for 400+ homes.

Grid & market signals (India): India’s May power demand hit a record 270.82 GW, while IEX reported energy consumption rising to 164.98 BUs (+11.5% YoY) and higher day-ahead prices, underscoring fast-growing short-term trading. Renewables policy risk (India): Reuters says tougher April 2027 grid-deviation penalties for solar and wind could cut revenues sharply (estimates: ~11% solar, up to ~48% wind), raising investor fears as India targets 500 GW non-fossil by 2030. Curtailment squeeze (Brazil): BlackRock-backed Atlas Renewable Energy paused about $1B in planned Brazil investment after rising curtailment and repeated grid rejections. AI + power demand (Europe): Eurelectric’s “Twin Transition Commitments” links AI growth with grid readiness, noting data centres could drive major electricity-demand growth by 2030. Data centres + regulation (US/Philippines): North Carolina advanced data-centre restrictions tied to power and water use; in the Philippines, Marcos ordered urgent fixes for Visayas grid woes. Nigeria prosumer rules: NERC launched Net Billing Regulations 2026, letting approved solar customers sell excess power back to DisCos and earn credits. Security shocks (Ukraine): Russian UAV attacks left consumers without power across multiple regions as restoration work continues.

Utility Rate Fight (US): Consumers Energy filed for a further $456M electric rate hike in Michigan, with AG Dana Nessel vowing to intervene as residential bills could rise about 9.8%—just months after a prior $276.6M increase. AI Power Demand (Global): A UN University report says data centers already use 448 TWh of electricity and could nearly double by 2030, with AI driving most growth and water use projected to more than double. Data Centers vs. Grid (US/Policy): In Wisconsin, Sen. Kelda Roys unveiled a plan to push 100% clean power by 2050 while adding statewide guardrails for data centers and AI, targeting water, labor, and ratepayer protections. Nuclear for Baseload (Malaysia): Malaysia’s energy leaders argued nuclear is a practical complement to renewables to provide stable baseload amid fast-rising demand from high-tech and data centers. Grid Buildout (UAE): EWEC awarded the Taweelah C IPP contract to a Taqa-led consortium for a 2.6GW gas plant designed to support future carbon capture and boost grid stability. Storage Debate (US): Oklahoma’s governor pocket-vetoed a bill that would have excluded solar and BESS from a property tax break for manufacturing facilities. Renewables Tariffs (India): Tamil Nadu’s regulator released draft renewable tariff rules for FY27-28 through FY31-32, covering wind, solar, hybrid projects and standalone storage. EU Efficiency Rules: The EU is preparing new rules to make data centers more energy-efficient as their electricity use rises.

Malaysia Energy Transition: Tenaga Nasional’s ETCon26 opened in Kuala Lumpur with the deputy prime minister urging “ambition to execution” as AI and digital demand reshape power planning across Malaysia and ASEAN. LNG Supply: INEOS Energy signed an LNG deal with Marubeni for deliveries into Asia from 2029, expanding beyond the Atlantic Basin. UAE Power Procurement: EWEC awarded the Taweelah C 2.6GW gas CCGT IPP, with a PPA running to 2050 and a structure designed to enable future carbon capture. Grid Reliability & Outages: Nigeria’s TCN said vandals destroyed six 330kV transmission towers in Nasarawa, while Houston storms left thousands without power. Storage Push in India: Advait Energy secured a 150MW/300MWh standalone BESS contract in Gujarat, and Ganesh Green Bharat won a 1,000MWh EPC order from NTPC Renewables. Nuclear Safety Watch: IAEA reported a 20-minute off-site power loss at Zaporizhia after a drone strike. Renewables Economics: A report says EU solar and wind cut 2025 fossil fuel import costs by €59bn, boosting energy security. Data Centres as a Power Driver: Coverage highlights how AI and hyperscale buildouts are forcing faster, cleaner, firmer electricity supply planning.

Data Center Power Resilience: Generac signed a global supply agreement with a major hyperscale operator to deliver backup generators worldwide after a qualification process, underscoring how AI-driven demand is pushing mission-critical power needs. Grid Reliability & Planning: North Carolina’s House advanced the “Ratepayer Protection Act,” adding data-center guardrails (noise, closed-loop cooling, limits on local incentives) and requiring permission for new nuclear before retiring baseload plants. Permitting Bottlenecks: Australia’s NSW is seeing renewable approvals drag on—large solar averaging ~1,140 days and batteries ~614—fueling fears that planning delays could derail emissions targets. Energy Costs & Regulation: Michigan’s Consumers Energy filed for a $456m annual revenue hike, its biggest in 20+ years, while New Zealand’s Consumer NZ says no retailer meets its “people’s choice” threshold amid rising bill concerns. Renewables on the Ground: Delhi rooftop solar passed 23,000 installations (420 MW), while the Philippines’ Eastern Visayas police began using a 48-kW solar PV system to cut electricity costs. Nuclear & Fusion Signals: Britain set an 87% emissions-cut target by 2040, and South Korea’s KSTAR reported a fusion plasma sustainment record of 102 seconds in high-confinement mode.

Waste-to-energy backlash: Manila’s Smokey Mountain WtE incinerator plan faces renewed opposition over alleged environmental violations and risks to nearby low-income communities. Grid resilience in storms: Dominion Energy is stepping up hurricane readiness in South Carolina with “Right Tree, Right Place” vegetation work to cut tree-caused outages. Data centers meet power reality: Appalachian Power is upgrading transmission and substations near a planned Google data center in Virginia, with upgrades paid by the customer. Energy security under attack: Russia’s strikes hit Ukraine’s energy and oil-and-gas sectors, leaving tens of thousands without power in Kyiv and multiple regions. Corruption probe in nuclear power: Ukraine’s NABU and SAPO allege an embezzlement scheme involving Energoatom funds tied to the Tashlyk pumped-storage project. Battery supply chain surge: China’s Tinci signed a supplemental deal to nearly double electrolyte orders for Cornex, signaling continued momentum in grid-scale storage. Renewables via wheeling: South Africa’s UCT signed a wheeled renewable PPA to cover up to 90% of campus electricity from 2027, bypassing rooftop limits. AI power demand debate: A U.S. lawmaker urged a halt to new data center projects in his district, citing grid strain, higher bills, and public health concerns.