Since 2017, Vietnam’s solar market has grown rapidly under strong policy support, especially feed-in tariff incentives. This drove fast capacity expansion but also exposed grid constraints as development outpaced transmission infrastructure. As subsidies gradually phased out, market logic shifted from policy-driven growth to energy security and system stability.

SMM, June 1， According to SMM data , the average all-in cost (tax-inclusive) of the domestic electrolytic aluminum industry in May 2026 fell 1.9% month-on-month (MoM) and 2.2% year-on-year (YoY), primarily driven by declines in alumina prices and electricity prices during the period. Under the pressure of high inventory in May, domestic aluminum prices trended weak. The SMM A00 spot monthly average price (April 26 – May 25) edged down 0.8% MoM, while electrolytic aluminum profit margins expanded by RMB 110/mt to RMB 8,413/mt, with average profitability up 126.4% YoY. Based on monthly average price calculations, 100% of domestic electrolytic aluminum operating capacity was profitable in May. Breaking down the cost components: Alumina feedstock: According to SMM data, the SMM Alumina Index averaged RMB 2,674/mt in May (April 26 – May 25), down 2.3% MoM. Although average daily alumina output edged slightly lower within the month, alumina market fundamentals remained relatively loose amid the impact of overseas alumina import supply, compounded by the gradual ramp-up of new projects in Guangxi. Spot alumina prices lacked upside momentum. Entering June, as newly commissioned capacity continues to ramp up and maintenance outages are progressively completed, domestic alumina output is expected to increase, with spot prices likely to consolidate sideways for the most part. Auxiliary materials: In May, pre-baked anodes and fluoride salts saw price increases supported by cost-side factors, pushing up auxiliary material costs. Entering June, the pass-through of earlier cost-side weakness, combined with a relatively loose supply landscape, is expected to lead to a modest decline in pre-baked anode prices. On the fluoride salt front, downstream producers have limited capacity to absorb high prices, although elevated costs still provide a degree of price support; amid this tug-of-war, fluoride salt prices are expected to slip modestly MoM. Overall, electrolytic aluminum auxiliary material costs are projected to decline in June. Electricity prices: Power prices fell MoM in May, primarily because the flood season is approaching, with electricity prices in water-rich southern regions declining notably, significantly reducing electrolytic aluminum power costs. Entering June, coal price dynamics may push electricity prices slightly higher in some provinces; however, with the southern flood season underway, power prices are expected to continue declining overall. On balance, electrolytic aluminum power costs are expected to remain broadly stable. Overall , the SMM weighted-average all-in cost (tax-inclusive) of the domestic electrolytic aluminum industry edged lower in May 2026. Electrolytic aluminum costs in June are expected to remain relatively steady, with the average forecast at around RMB 15,800–16,200/mt .

According to statistics from SMM, China's output of high-carbon ferrochrome in May 2026 rose by 5.09% month-on-month and 23.85% year-on-year.

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.

San Marino’s public utility AASS has launched a call for expressions of interest to acquire companies holding ground-mounted PV assets in San Marino or Italy, aiming to improve energy security and reduce reliance on imported electricity. Eligible projects may be operating, under construction or ready to build, but must be commissioned by Dec. 31, 2026, with a maximum value of EUR 15 million per project. Battery storage can be included, but standalone storage projects are not eligible. SMM believes the move reflects growing efforts by smaller European economies to use domestic and cross-border renewable investments to strengthen energy security and long-term power price stability.

【SMM Steel】Demand for finished steel in Sweden is shifting toward steady recovery after years of stagnation, driven by government-backed green transformation, energy/infrastructure investment, and improving macro conditions. Sweden uses a public-private partnership model covering 10-15% of green modernization costs. Industrial power prices in northern Sweden are €30-45/MWh vs EU industrial average ~€95/MWh. Total steel consumption is expected to rise 3% in 2026 to 3.4m tonnes. Flat products are expected to rise 2% supported by auto, defense, and wind power; long products are expected to rise 4.5% driven by construction and infrastructure. Imports account for 75-85% of domestic consumption, with strict low-carbon certification requirements.

SMM News, May 6: According to SMM data, the average all-in tax-included cost of the domestic primary aluminum industry in April 2026 rose by 1.5% month-on-month and fell by 0.6% year-on-year, mainly due to a mild increase in prices of raw and auxiliary materials during the period. In April, the supply gap of primary aluminum overseas pushed up LME aluminum prices. However, high domestic inventory put strong downward pressure on aluminum price upside. The monthly average price of SMM A00 spot aluminum (March 26 - April 25) edged up only 1.0% month-on-month. The profit margin of primary aluminum narrowed slightly by RMB 12 per ton to RMB 8,303 per ton, with the average profit surging 125.1% year-on-year. Calculated based on the monthly average price, 100% of the operational primary aluminum capacity in the domestic market remained profitable in April. Breakdown of Cost Components Alumina price dipped intra-month but monthly average climbed month-on-month SMM data showed that the monthly average SMM alumina index stood at RMB 2,736 per ton in the statistical period of March 26 to April 25, up 1.9% month-on-month. The overall operational alumina capacity stayed stable during the month, and prices bottomed out and rebounded. Driven by market rumors over the bauxite quota policy in Guinea, bullish market sentiment picked up moderately. Nevertheless, the relatively high price at the start of the month lifted the overall monthly average. Entering May, with newly commissioned capacity ramping up steadily, alumina output is expected to increase. Meanwhile, continuous inflows of imported alumina into the domestic market will further ease spot alumina supply. Given the pending clarification of Guinea’s bauxite policy, supply tightening may trigger a minor price rebound. Alumina raw material costs are expected to remain in a consolidating trend in April. Rising costs drive up prices of auxiliary materials Geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East pushed up international crude oil prices in April. Higher cost levels kept petroleum coke prices on an upward track, underpinning higher prebaked anode prices. Aluminum fluoride prices also moved higher in April amid rising raw material costs. Auxiliary material prices will maintain an upward trend in May, driving a further rise in the auxiliary material cost of primary aluminum and lifting the overall cost center slightly. Power prices stabilize, hydropower costs expected to drop entering wet season Power prices remained generally steady in April. As the market gradually transitions from the normal water period to the wet season starting in May, hydropower tariffs in some regions are projected to edge down, leading to a mild decline in the power cost of primary aluminum production. Overall, the weighted average all-in tax-included cost of the domestic primary aluminum industry edged higher in April 2026. The primary aluminum cost is expected to keep rising moderately month-on-month in May, with the average level projected at around RMB 16,200 - 16,600 per ton.

Spanish energy major Repsol reported an adjusted net loss of €4 million for its low carbon generation unit in Q1 2026, a sharp reversal from the €2 million profit recorded a year earlier. While total electricity generation surged 57.4% to 3.35 TWh—supported by new wind and solar assets and increased gas-fired output—operating income for the division fell 50% year-on-year to €12 million. This decline was primarily driven by a 49.7% drop in Spanish wholesale electricity prices, which averaged €43.3/MWh during the quarter due to exceptional rainfall. Despite the Renewables segment’s operating income falling by €18 million, the group's overall adjusted EBITDA for the unit managed a slight 1.9% increase to €53 million.

Goldbeck Solar’s 204 MW Zwartowo plant has become the first large-scale solar project to join Poland’s balancing market. Facing rising curtailments and negative power prices, the developer overcame a 14-month qualification process to participate. While entry rules favored thermal assets, this milestone allows Zwartowo to stabilize cash flows and potentially achieve a 4% to 10% revenue upside. The move positions the solar plant as an active contributor to grid stability rather than a passive price taker.

Several major European markets recorded their lowest daily average electricity prices of the year last week, driven by decreased demand, higher solar production, and falling gas prices. On April 5, Germany’s price plunged to -€16.34/MWh—its lowest since July 2023—while France also saw negative daily averages. Except for Italy, weekly averages across most European markets stayed below €100/MWh, with Spain and Portugal recording the lowest averages at around €12/MWh due to robust solar output. While supply concerns and storage levels continue to fluctuate gas futures, the surge in renewable energy has significantly exerted downward pressure on power costs.