In the first quarter of 2026, global energy storage system shipments reached 100.0 GWh, a 96.5% increase from 50.9 GWh in the same period of 2025, bringing quarterly shipments to an entirely new scale.

[European Energy Giant OX2 Enters Australia: 135MW Solar-Plus-Storage Project Officially Commences Construction] Swedish independent power producer (IPP) OX2 has announced the commencement of its Muswellbrook solar-plus-storage project in New South Wales, Australia. Covering an area of approximately 482 hectares, the project will construct a 135MWac solar power plant complemented by a 100MW-class battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is situated on a former coal mine site and forms part of Australia's Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). By utilizing existing transmission infrastructure to connect to the grid, the project will help lower grid-connection development costs and alleviate the network access pressures commonly faced by new energy projects.

Reuters reported, citing market data, that demand for rooftop PV systems among household users in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and other countries more than doubled compared to levels before the Middle East conflict erupted, while business volumes for European energy equipment wholesalers and renewable energy enterprises surged even more dramatically. Since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict in late February, European electricity prices have risen significantly, with energy costs for enterprises and households under sustained pressure. Against this backdrop, an installation rush for rooftop solar systems has swept across Europe, as PV power generation accelerates its transition from a supplementary energy source to a critical option for ensuring energy security. Reuters reported, citing market data, that demand for rooftop PV systems among household users in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and other countries more than doubled compared to levels before the Middle East conflict erupted, while business volumes for European energy equipment wholesalers and renewable energy enterprises surged even more dramatically.

European Energy has completed the sale of its Jonava renewable energy project in Lithuania to Energix – Renewable Energies. The massive hybrid development features a planned capacity of 470 MW, integrating 140 MW of onshore wind, 330 MWp of solar PV, and 320 MWh of energy storage. Construction is slated to begin shortly with full commercial operations targeted for 2027. This divestment highlights the company’s "develop-and-flip" model, successfully de-risking large-scale, grid-stable assets to recycle capital into its global pipeline of wind and solar projects.

[SMM Lead Morning Meeting Summary: Coexistence of Energy Supply Pressure and Lead Ingot Inventory Buildup May Lead to Continued Price Consolidation] The escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, obstruction of major shipping routes, and expectations for rising transportation costs are anticipated to increase pressure on Europe's energy supply. After the domestic holiday, the lead market has experienced severe inventory buildup...

German energy giant E.ON SE has ramped up its 2026–2030 investment plan to €48 billion, responding to the urgent infrastructure needs of the European energy transition. The updated strategy allocates €40 billion specifically to Energy Networks to accommodate the surge in renewable connections, data centers, and battery storage. After reporting a €3 billion adjusted net profit in 2025, the company aims for €3.8 billion by 2030. This massive capital commitment focuses on modernizing distribution grids and industrial decarbonization, which CFO Nadia Jakobi described as the "deciding factor" for a successful energy transition.

CATL, Schroders Greencoat, and Lochpine Capital, both under Schroders Group in the UK, jointly signed a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding. The three parties will collaborate to explore and develop battery energy storage projects in Europe and carry out related investment activities. Under the framework of the memorandum, CATL will participate in the cooperation as a battery supplier.

Denmark commissioned a record 1,548 MW of solar capacity in 2025, significantly improving upon the 545 MW added in 2024 and pushing the country's cumulative installed capacity past 6.3 GW. According to Birgitte Eskildsen of the Danish solar association Dansk Solcelleforening, this growth was overwhelmingly driven by utility-scale ground-mounted projects, which accounted for 1.34 GW of the new additions. Notable completions include European Energy's 215 MW solar park in Lolland and the 148 MW Glejbjerg project.

The world's first large-scale commercial e-methanol plant officially commenced operations recently in Aabenraa, Denmark, marking a new phase in the industrial application of e-methanol technology. Siemens Energy provided a 52.5-megawatt (MW) proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for the green hydrogen production process at the plant, which can produce approximately 8,000 mt of green hydrogen annually, serving as the core raw material for e-methanol synthesis. Constructed by European Energy, the plant sources its electricity from the adjacent Kasø Solar Park, while carbon dioxide is captured and supplied by Tønder Biogas. The plant can produce approximately 42,000 mt of e-methanol annually, reducing carbon emissions by about 97% compared to traditional processes. The e-methanol produced will be supplied to Maersk for use in its world's first methanol-powered container ship, the Laura Maersk. It will also be used as a raw material by the LEGO Group to produce some LEGO components. Additionally, Novo Nordisk plans to apply it in chemical production, gradually replacing existing fossil fuel-based methanol. Siemens Energy's PEM electrolyzer technology has been applied in multiple projects. For instance, the company provided key equipment support for BASF's 54-MW electrolyzer project at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany, which is currently the largest single-unit PEM hydrogen production project in operation in Europe. Meanwhile, Siemens Energy is also advancing three 100-MW-class water electrolysis projects for hydrogen production, committed to laying a solid foundation for the large-scale application of green hydrogen energy.

Since May, 11 leading Chinese PV enterprises, including LONGi Green Energy Technology, JA Solar Technology {{PV}}, Tongwei Co., Ltd., Chint New Energy, AIKO Solar, Hoshine Silicon Industry, GCL SI, Gokin Solar, and Seraphim {{PV company}}, have signed a series of overseas PV projects. According to incomplete statistics from Polaris Power Network, the orders cover countries and regions such as Australia, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Zambia, Peru, and the UAE.