Focus
U.S. to rescind rule that lowered solar, wind project fees on federal land
Reuters – May 14
The Trump administration took steps to rescind a Biden-era regulation that lowered fees for renewable energy projects on federal lands, saying the rule unfairly favored development of wind and solar facilities. The Interior Department said in a press release issued on May 13 that the White House would review the planned rescission before it was formally proposed and opened to public comment. The rule, which was finalized in 2024, formalized a roughly 80% cut in project fees for wind and solar energy developments on federal lands.
News
Solar ticks 19th consecutive month as largest source of new electricity capacity in U.S.
Solar Power World – May 13
Solar and wind accounted for almost 98% of new electrical generating capacity added to the U.S. grid in the first quarter of 2025 and were the only sources of new capacity in March, according to the SUN DAY Campaign’s review of FERC data. With the inclusion of hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewables currently claim a 31.5% share of total U.S. utility-scale generating capacity.
Texas Senate passes bill requiring solar plants to provide power at night
The Hill – May 9
The Texas Senate on May 9 passed Senate Bill 715, which if passed by the House, would require all renewable projects — even existing ones — to buy backup power, largely from coal or gas plants. In a state where electric demand is growing rapidly — Texas electric load is projected to nearly double by decade’s end — virtually all new power of the last five years has come from renewables, which take about half the time of gas plants to be added to the grid.
Projects
Aypa Power clinches $535M deal to fund California solar-BESS project
Renewables Now – May 13
Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, has closed a $535-million debt financing deal to back the development of Aypa’s 320 MW solar-plus-storage Vidal project in San Bernardino County. The lenders included Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, U.S. Bank National Association and Zions Bancorporation, Siemens Financial Services, and Associated Bank NA.
Leeward starts operations on 352 MWh Chaparral Springs BESS in California
EnergyTech – May 8
Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) has started operations at its 88 MW Chaparral Springs battery energy storage system in Kern County. The Chaparral Springs BESS, which will hold close to 352 MWh of duration capacity, is part of a multi-phase plan to pair with a future 174 MW solar farm also developed by LRE.
Google inks deal to develop 1.8 GW of advanced nuclear power
TechCrunch – May 9
Google and nuclear site developer Elemental Power will work together on three sites for advanced nuclear reactors. The tech company has been rushing to lock up energy sources as its AI ambitions drive growing power demands at its data centers. This year alone, Google plans to spend $75 billion building data center capacity. With the new deal, Google is promising to add at least 600 MW of generating capacity at each of the three sites.
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