According to the CPCA Branch, from August 1 to 16, national new energy passenger vehicle retail sales reached 399,000 units, down 15% YoY and up 1% MoM. Year-to-date cumulative retail sales reached 6.067 million units, down 13% YoY. From August 1 to 16, national new energy passenger vehicle wholesale by producers reached 425,000 units, down 3% YoY and up 6% MoM. Year-to-date cumulative wholesale reached 8.673 million units, up 7% YoY.

[SMM Flash] South Africa’s PGM-rich mining communities face a widening digital divide despite supplying minerals increasingly important to the global technology and energy transition. Communities in Marikana and Kroondal in North West continue to experience limited fibre connectivity, unreliable networks and high mobile-data costs. For young people facing high unemployment, inadequate internet access is becoming a barrier to job applications, digital skills development and participation in the broader digital economy. The situation highlights concerns over how the benefits of the digital and energy transitions are distributed across mineral supply chains. While data centres and technology companies expand infrastructure in major cities, PGM-producing communities remain comparatively underserved. Mining companies have introduced initiatives including digital resource centres and free Wi-Fi at schools, but residents say coverage remains inadequate. The disparity raises a broader question over the meaning of a just transition: communities supplying the minerals that support AI, data centres and clean-energy technologies should also have meaningful access to the digital opportunities created by these industries.

Recently, Shanghai Yangshan Port held a green methanol bunkering event. Shanghai Electric, together with Shanghai International Port Group and French CMA CGM Group, completed a batch bunkering of 8,000 mt of green methanol, setting a new world record for the largest single green methanol bunkering volume and marking the project's further progress into the stage of continuous stable production and large-scale delivery. The green methanol used in this bunkering was supplied by Shanghai Electric's Taonan Green Methanol Project. The new breakthrough in bunkering volume reflects that China's green fuel industry is enhancing its coordination capabilities across production, transportation, storage, and port application, and provides practical support for the shipping industry in expanding the use of low-carbon fuels. In June this year, Shanghai, Jilin, and Liaoning jointly launched a green fuel transport corridor, creating a complete logistics chain from production in Taonan, Jilin, through transshipment and storage at Dalian Port in Liaoning, to bunkering at Shanghai Port. The successful bunkering of 8,000 mt of green methanol this time marks the first large-scale validation of the corridor since it became operational. Currently, Shanghai is accelerating the construction of an international shipping green fuel bunkering center, certification center, and trading center. This batch bunkering serves as both a staged demonstration of the construction achievements and a new opportunity to further deepen cooperation between the green fuel supply chain and industry chain. As the main production site for green methanol, Shanghai Electric's Taonan Project relies on the abundant wind energy and biomass resources in Jilin. It employs a complete set of process systems and core equipment independently developed by Shanghai Electric, including pure-oxygen pressurized fluidized bed biomass gasification technology, to build the world's first large-scale plant coupling green electricity with biomass to produce green methanol. Currently, the project has entered the stage of continuous stable production and batch delivery, and can continuously supply green methanol products based on the actual needs of vessels at the Shanghai International Shipping Center. The project's stable supply further verifies the full-chain operational capability of green methanol from the production end, through the transportation end, to the port bunkering end. Looking ahead, Shanghai Electric will continue to strengthen industrial collaboration with partners such as the National Green Development Fund, and promote technological innovation and project construction across the entire chain of green fuel production, storage, transportation, and application. Meanwhile, the company will work with relevant parties to accelerate the construction of the green hydrogen coupled with biomass integrated green methanol-oil project in Taonan, enhancing the large-scale supply capability of green fuels for the shipping and aviation sectors. This event was jointly completed by Shanghai Electric, Shanghai International Port Group, and CMA CGM Group. Representatives from relevant government departments, industry associations, scientific research institutions, financial institutions, and industry chain cooperation partners witnessed the bunkering activity. According to the plan, the second phase of Shanghai Electric's Jilin Taonan green hydrogen coupled with biomass integrated green methanol-oil project will officially start construction on August 20 and is expected to be fully completed and put into operation in 2028. After commissioning, the project will have an annual capacity of 200 kt of green methanol and 10 kt of sustainable aviation fuel, providing more fuel security for the green and low-carbon transition of the shipping and aviation sectors.

Recently, HORIBA has officially launched four standard fuel cell and electrolysis test station models for the Chinese market, covering five mainstream technology routes: PEMFC, SOFC, SOEC, PEMEC and AEMEC. These systems can be used to evaluate the performance, efficiency, and durability of single cells and single electrolysis cells. The simultaneous launch of these four standard models represents a key initiative by HORIBA to accelerate product delivery and respond to the R&D demands of the Chinese hydrogen energy sector. Building on the performance strengths of existing test platforms, these systems adopt standardized designs to shorten deployment lead time, providing stable data support for basic research, performance validation, and advanced studies. Covering five technology routes with four products requires the enterprise to possess comprehensive process expertise, proven engineering solutions, and a large-scale manufacturing system. HORIBA stated that the concentrated launch of standard models is a direct response to Chinese market demand and also demonstrates its R&D and manufacturing capabilities in the fuel cell and electrolysis testing field. These products were developed and manufactured by HORIBA FuelCon in Germany. Founded in 2001, HORIBA FuelCon has been deeply engaged in the fuel cell and electrolysis testing field for over 25 years. Its product range encompasses benchtop, large-scale, and containerized configurations, with power ratings spanning from 100 watts to 5 megawatts. The company has long served major fuel cell and electrolysis enterprises and research institutions worldwide. In September 2022, HORIBA's global hub for new energy business, eHUB, began operations in Barleben, Magdeburg, Germany. The production area was expanded to approximately five times that of the original site, while R&D, manufacturing, and project delivery capabilities were simultaneously enhanced. The launch of these four standard models is a clear reflection of the results achieved through systematic capacity building. While delivery lead times have been significantly reduced, the new products retain the core technical features of HORIBA FuelCon's high-performance test stations and incorporate intelligent engineering strategies and a safety design framework to provide clients with precise, stable, and reliable testing support. The four standard models cover multiple stages from basic research to advanced studies and are suitable for applications such as performance mapping, polarization curve testing, accelerated stress testing, catalyst screening, material research, and co-electrolysis studies, meeting the demands for testing precision and stability across different R&D phases. For clients looking to rapidly launch test projects and shorten equipment deployment lead time, the standard models offer a more efficient and convenient option. For special operating conditions, customized configurations, or complex testing requirements, HORIBA FuelCon continues to provide proven, customised solutions. By offering both standardized products and customised services, HORIBA aims to provide clients at different stages of development and across various application scenarios with testing solutions tailored to their needs. Going forward, the company will continue to leverage its technical expertise, mature product portfolio, production capacity, and service network in fuel cell and electrolysis testing to support the R&D, validation, and industrialisation of hydrogen technologies in China.

Recently, China Energy Group Ningxia Coal Industry achieved phased results in the large-scale utilization of green hydrogen and the low-carbon integration with coal chemical production, providing fresh practical reference for the green transformation of the traditional coal chemical industry. As of August 14, 2026, Ningxia Coal Industry had utilized a cumulative 21.3864 million standard m³ of green hydrogen and produced 10,800 mt of green ammonia, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 36,500 mt. These results indicate that China's first industrial demonstration project for coupling a high proportion of green hydrogen with coal-based synthetic ammonia production has achieved phased success. The project introduced green hydrogen produced from renewable energy into the coal chemical production process. Through deep integration of green hydrogen with traditional processes, it explores a technical pathway for the synergistic development of renewable energy and the modern coal chemical industry. The achievement of the project's phased goals also provides real-world application scenarios for solving the challenge of large-scale green hydrogen utilization. Green hydrogen is produced using electricity from renewable energy, resulting in low carbon emissions during production, and serves as a crucial link between the new energy and traditional, energy-intensive industries. Using green hydrogen in ammonia production can not only reduce the demand for hydrogen from fossil fuels but also help lower carbon emissions across the entire life cycle of coal chemical products. In recent years, Ningxia Coal Industry, aligning with the national 'dual carbon' goals, has continuously refined its green development layout, making energy conservation, carbon reduction, and low-carbon transformation a key focus for the enterprise's high-quality development. By promoting upgrades to traditional coal chemical facilities, expanding application scenarios for green hydrogen, and strengthening coal chemical integration, the enterprise has gradually formed an industrial pathway for the synergistic development of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and the coal chemical industry. The green ammonia production exceeding 10,000 mt this time signifies that the application of green hydrogen in large-scale coal chemical scenarios has further moved from demonstration validation towards scaled-up practice. The construction, operation, and utilization experience accumulated from the project can serve as a reference for other coal chemical enterprises in adopting green hydrogen substitution, optimizing their energy mix, and reducing production emissions. As the capacity for hydrogen production from renewable energy continues to increase, the integration of green hydrogen with the coal chemical and synthetic ammonia industries is expected to expand further. The phased results achieved by Ningxia Coal Industry provide a practical sample for exploring green, low-carbon transformation models for energy-intensive industries, and they also open new pathways for the local conversion and utilization of regional new energy resources.

Recently, the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Hubei Energy Bureau issued a notice, making systematic arrangements for the application scope, plan preparation, review and application, construction and operation, and exit mechanisms of multi-user green electricity direct connection projects across the province, to further promote nearby development and utilization of new energy and better meet enterprises' green energy consumption needs. The notice proposed that Hubei will advance the construction of multi-user green electricity direct connection projects in an orderly manner based on different energy consumption scenarios. New loads that have not yet applied for installation with power grid enterprises, or those that have applied but the power supply project has not yet commenced, can be supported by building new energy projects through green electricity direct connection. For users already in operation, they can also build corresponding new energy and supporting facilities based on new load additions and actual energy consumption needs. In terms of key support targets, the policy covers enterprises in key energy-consuming industries, provincial-level key energy consumption units, export-oriented enterprises with export performance, and their upstream and downstream enterprises. Relevant entities can leverage nearby new energy resources to enhance their green electricity consumption levels through multi-user green electricity direct connection. Industrial parks, zero-carbon parks, and incremental distribution grids are application scenarios receiving key policy support. All or part of the loads within the parks can form a direct connection relationship with nearby new energy projects, achieving coordinated layout of power supply and load. Computing centers included in relevant national layouts or local plans can also support the development of surrounding new energy projects according to actual needs. In terms of resource organization methods, distributed PV can participate in multi-user green electricity direct connection through centralized collection, providing an implementation path for decentralized new energy resources to connect to multi-user projects. The policy also encourages projects to integrate energy storage facilities to enhance power regulation capability and system operation stability. The project construction should clearly define the responsible entities. In principle, the main units participating in the project should have independent legal person status, which can be solely controlled by the load side or power supply side, or jointly established through investment by relevant entities. Park-type projects can be organized and implemented by qualified park management agencies or third-party entities based on actual management and operation conditions. The project implementation plan needs to coordinate power supply, load, direct connection lines, substation facilities, energy storage facilities, and connection systems, specify the construction scale, implementation sequence, investment arrangement, operation mode, safety responsibilities, and mechanisms for electricity metering and fee settlement, and conduct necessary investment estimation, financial evaluation, and system connection analysis. In the application and review stage, municipal and prefectural energy authorities will review the project plans, select the best ones to form application opinions, and then report them to the provincial energy authority. The provincial energy bureau will announce the project list in batches based on project conditions and construction maturity, and incorporate eligible new energy projects into the annual development and construction arrangement according to relevant requirements. After entering the project list, the construction entities need to complete procedures such as approval, filing, planning, land use, and environmental impact assessment in accordance with the law, ensuring that the actual construction content is consistent with the approved plan. Power grid enterprises should provide connection services according to project needs, cooperate in handling related businesses, and offer necessary support for project construction and operation. After the project is put into operation, all participating parties need to clarify property rights boundaries, safety responsibilities, and operation and maintenance duties, and improve mechanisms for electricity metering, electricity fee settlement, and surplus electricity grid connection. The project should also comply with electricity market trading rules and must not use the green electricity direct connection mechanism to evade the system responsibilities and market obligations that should be assumed. Hubei will also establish a full-process management mechanism covering project application, construction, operation, and exit. For projects where construction conditions undergo significant changes, cannot be implemented for a long time, or no longer meet policy requirements, the competent authorities may adjust or cancel their project qualifications as appropriate. When substantial changes occur in key elements such as project power supply, load, lines, and investment entities, it is in principle necessary to re-perform evaluation or application procedures. This policy further clarifies the implementation boundaries and operational procedures of multi-user green electricity direct connection in Hubei, helping to promote precise alignment between new energy resources and industrial loads. As entities such as parks, manufacturing enterprises, export-oriented enterprises, and computing centers accelerate their participation, green electricity direct connection is expected to become an important means to increase the proportion of green electricity consumption, promote new energy absorption, and drive low-carbon transformation of industries.

On August 18, LG Energy Solution announced that its new battery factory in Lansing, Michigan, USA, has officially started production. The project represents a total investment of over $2 billion and will produce both energy storage and automotive power batteries, further expanding the company's local battery supply capabilities in North America. The factory spans 226 acres and, at full production capacity, will have an annual battery output exceeding 35 GWh. The products are divided into two main tracks: one track produces lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells for grid-scale and commercial & industrial energy storage applications. These cells will be integrated into complete energy storage systems by LG Energy Solution's US energy storage division, Vertech, with Detroit-based energy company DTE Energy becoming a downstream customer for the factory's energy storage batteries. The other track produces high-energy-density nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries exclusively for Toyota, which will be used in the 2027 Toyota Highlander all-electric model, supporting Toyota's electric vehicle supply chain development in the United States.

On August 11, the Yongshan Branch of the Zhaotong Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau in Yunnan issued a public announcement regarding the proposed review of the environmental impact assessment documents for the Huanghua PV power generation project. According to the announcement, the project is a new construction, located in Lianfeng Town and Maolin Town, Yongshan County, Zhaotong, Yunnan, and is developed by Huaneng Luodian (Yongshan) New Energy Co., Ltd. with a total investment of 480 million yuan. The installed capacity of the project is 120 MW, with a DC side installed capacity of 150.01 MWp and a DC-to-AC ratio of 1.25. The main equipment includes 240,016 monocrystalline silicon PV modules of 625 Wp each and 375 320 kW string inverters. The project has a total of 40 sub-arrays, including 25 of 3.3 MW, 6 of 2.9 MW, 2 of 2.6 MW, 3 of 2.3 MW, and 4 of 2.0 MW. The project adopts a string inverter scheme, with an inverter capacity of 320 kW. Each string consists of 28 modules, and 22 to 23 strings are connected to an inverter, which is then connected to a 35 kV step-up transformer. The total construction period is 12 months, and the project is planned to start in September 2026 and be completed by September-end 2027.

Recently, Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Chint New Energy”) and South Grid Integrated Energy Digital Services (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “South Grid Integrated Energy Digital Services”) officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement, marking the formal establishment of a long-term, stable, and win-win strategic cooperative partnership between the two parties. The two sides will carry out comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation centered on improving the operational efficiency of new energy and technological innovation, establish a mechanism for deepening collaboration, jointly expand the new energy operations service market, and work together to create industry benchmark cases.

Anhui Huasun Energy Co., Ltd. ("Huasun Energy") recently signed a 100 MW high-efficiency HJT module supply agreement with Air Solution, a subsidiary of the Futex Group, in Lahore, Pakistan. This is the first export order for Huasun's flagship new product, Himalaya PLUS, marking the series' accelerated expansion from the Chinese market to the global stage on the foundation of achieved mass production. The Himalaya PLUS series is Huasun’s flagship product launched at the end of 2025, featuring ultra-large wafers and a negative-gap cell design. The module achieves a screen-to-body ratio of 95.8% and a maximum power output of 760 W. Notably, the series supports 2000 V system voltage, which can significantly reduce BOS costs and LCOE while boosting project internal yield. Since its release, the product has rapidly moved into mass production, completing deliveries in the Chinese market and making its European debut. This Pakistan order represents a major milestone in its expansion outside China, reflecting widespread recognition from global clients of Huasun's HJT technology and product strength.