News | Headlines
IEA forecasts healthy but slowing growth in RE to 2030
Worldwide Renewables Renewable sources of electricity generation continue to expand strongly around the world, with global capacity expected to more than double by 2030, according to The International Energy Agency’s latest medium-term forecast. But it seems that growth is slowing. Last year the 2030 forecast for global increase was 5500 GW, a figure that has this year been modified to 4600 GW.
The IEA ascribes this reduction in gain to “policy, regulatory and market changes since October 2024”, as reported in its latest report on renewable energy, Renewables 2025, its main annual assessment of the sector. Nonetheless the increase of 4600 gigawatts by 2030 is remarkable, roughly the equivalent
of adding China, the European Union and Japan’s combined total power generation capacity and more than doubling the global total installed by 2030 as the sector navigates headwinds in supply chains, grid integration, financing and policy shifts mainly in the USA and in China.
Solar PV will account for around 80% of the global increase over the next five years – driven by low costs and faster permitting timeframes – followed by wind, hydro, bioenergy and geothermal.
These forecast adjustments are partly offset by buoyancy in other regions – particularly India, Europe and most emerging and developing economies. There, growth prospects have been revised upward due to
ambitious new policies, expanded auction volumes, faster permitting and rising deployment of rooftop solar. In addition to established markets, renewable capacity is forecast to expand rapidly, led by solar PV, in economies such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Southeast Asia.
Global supply chains for solar PV and rare earth elements used in wind turbines remain heavily concentrated in China, underscoring ongoing risks to supply chain security. At the same time, says the IEA, the rapid rise of variable renewables is placing increasing pressure on electricity systems, according to the report – signalling the need for urgent investment in grids, storage and flexible generation.
Portable solar micro-grid solution launched
Australia Microgrids US solar-powered microgrid systems and software manufacturer, Paired Power, has partnered with Australia-based PHNXX to create PairPHNXX – a fully portable, no-assembly microgrid solution. Designed for rapid deployment, PairPHNXX can be installed within a single day to supply renewable power to areas with limited or no grid access. The system is suited for diverse applications including agriculture, construction, mining, defence, and emergency response, as well as powering remote communities and essential services. Built into a standard 20 foot shipping container, it offers modular solar capacities up to 92.8 kW and battery storage from 42.4 to 636 kWh. Paired Power has also applied to join the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy’s Preferred Provider Program, aimed at building equitable partnerships with Tribal Nations. PHNXX is participating as a provisional provider while completing the Alliance’s Pathways to Trust cultural awareness curriculum.
Company leaders said the collaboration expands microgrid accessibility and accelerates the transition to clean power where traditional grid infrastructure is unavailable.
Ming Yang to invest $2 bn in Scottish wind
Scotland Wind power Ming Yang Smart Energy, a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, has announced plans to invest up to £1.5bn ($2bn) to establish a manufacturing base in Scotland. The facility will focus on producing offshore and floating turbines, with the first phase expected to be operational by the end of 2028. This project marks a significant step in Ming Yang’s expansion into the UK and European markets. The firm, which is the largest private wind turbine manufacturer in China, has been in talks with the Scottish and UK governments over the past two years.
The investment will be executed in three phases, with the first phase involving a £750m investment in an advanced manufacturing
facility. This phase is projected to create 1500 jobs initially and contribute to the development of an industry ecosystem.
The project will be funded by Ming Yang’s own capital. Several sites in Scotland have been shortlisted for the facility, with Ardersier in the Highlands emerging as the preferred option.
Criticism of the scheme
Critics of the scheme worry about the broader implications of overreliance on China in global supply chains, reported the Financial Times. The firm’s UK chief executive, Aman Wang said: “We firmly believe that by moving forward with our plans to create jobs, skills and a supply chain in the UK, we can make this country the
6 | October 2025 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
global hub for offshore wind technology.” However an opposition party Member of Parliament has previously questioned the wisdom of letting the company invest in the UK. Last November, MP Nick Timothy asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks about Ming Yang’s plans to invest in Scotland, saying the government should rule out investment from “hostile states”. Timothy said Ming Yang “benefits from huge subsidies in China,” adding any investment was subject to “serious questions about energy and national security”. In a statement released on 10 October a UK government spokesperson said: “This is one of a number of companies that wants to invest in the UK. Any decisions made will be consistent with our national security.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47
