EU Renewable Electricity Share Falls in Early 2025 Despite Solar Growth
The share of electricity generated from renewables in the EU dropped to 42.5% in the first quarter of 2025, down 4.3 percentage points from the previous year, mainly due to declines in hydro and wind output. While solar generation increased significantly, this was not enough to offset the decrease, with Denmark, Portugal, and Croatia leading in renewable shares, and Czechia, Malta, and Slovakia recording the lowest percentages.[1]
US Grid Operators Fast-Track Interconnection to Address Resource Adequacy
Major US regional grid operators, including PJM, MISO, and SPP, are expediting interconnection studies for high-priority generation projects to tackle resource adequacy challenges caused by rising power demand from data centers and industrial loads. PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative selected 51 projects to add over 9,300 MW of capacity, aiming for interconnection agreements by early 2027.[2]
EU Parliament Pushes for Coordinated, Resilient Electricity Grids
Following a major blackout affecting parts of Spain, Portugal, and France in April, EU lawmakers are advocating for modernized, resilient electricity grids and simplified processes to integrate renewables. The draft resolution calls for substantial investment—estimated at €584 billion by 2030—to upgrade infrastructure, increase cross-border transmission, and achieve clean energy transition goals.[6]
US Launches $10.5 Billion Program to Boost Grid Resilience and Flexibility
The US Department of Energy is administering the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program to enhance grid flexibility and resilience against extreme weather. The initiative aims to accelerate transformative projects, ensuring reliable electricity access for all communities.[5]
Global Electricity Access Improves, but Progress Remains Uneven
The 2025 SDG 7 Energy Progress Report finds that nearly 92% of the global population now has basic electricity access, up from previous years, though about 666 million people remain unconnected. Decentralized renewables like mini-grids and off-grid solar are identified as key solutions to reach rural and underserved areas, but universal access by 2030 is still out of reach at current rates.[7]
Cybersecurity Risks Emerge from Foreign-Made Solar Inverters in US Grid
Federal investigators revealed that some Chinese-manufactured solar inverters installed in the US contain undocumented “ghost” communication modules, raising serious cybersecurity concerns. With millions of distributed energy resources being deployed, experts warn that uninspected firmware and components could pose significant risks to grid security and reliability.