Germany Adds 8.6 GW of Renewable Capacity in First Seven Months of 2025
Germany added 8.65 GW of new renewable energy capacity, primarily from solar and onshore wind, between January and July 2025, underscoring the country’s accelerated push towards its 2030 targets[1]. Despite this rapid growth, experts highlight that significant further expansion is required for Germany to meet its 2030 renewable ambitions[1].
IRS Narrows “Beginning of Construction” Safe Harbor for Wind and Solar Projects
The Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2025-42, restricting the use of the 5% Safe Harbor for determining construction start dates on wind and solar projects to facilities with outputs no greater than 1.5 MW, effective for projects not started before September 2, 2025[4]. Larger projects must use alternative methods to demonstrate construction commencement, creating added uncertainty for developers planning new large-scale installations[4].
Major U.S. Policy Reversal Slows Federal Wind and Solar Permitting
President Trump’s administration has implemented a suite of executive orders and regulatory reversals, including pausing new wind and solar permits on federal lands and halting new offshore wind leasing, dramatically slowing federal renewable project approvals[6]. Additional measures include rescinding rules for clean energy on public lands and imposing stricter departmental reviews, creating a less predictable environment for utility-scale renewable development[6].
U.S. Budget Law Accelerates Wind and Solar Tax Credit Phase-Outs
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law in July 2025, accelerates the phase-out of investment and production tax credits for solar and wind projects, while keeping longer phase-outs for other clean technologies like storage, hydropower, and geothermal[8]. The law also eliminates certain tax credits for electric vehicles and imposes new foreign supply chain restrictions for energy projects seeking federal tax benefits[8].
World Bank Supports Türkiye’s Grid Expansion for Renewables
The World Bank approved over $