Virginia data centers must pay ‘fair share,’ incoming lieutenant governor says

“There is new energy in this legislature, and with it a real opportunity to build new energy right here in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 5, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: Wind and solar are what’s for dinner

In other news, the Trump administration has fired shots at “established monopolist” Duke Energy as officials test antitrust tools in power markets, and a fight over capacity auctions highlights the risk of phantom data centers.

By Meris Lutz • Dec. 5, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

US added 2 GW of solar in September, putting 2025 ahead of 2024 for new solar generation

Solar accounted for three-quarters of new generation installed so far this year, followed by wind at 13% and gas at 11%.

By Meris Lutz • Dec. 4, 2025

California lawmakers say utilities must be accountable for interconnection delays

In a letter to state regulators, 18 legislators say that PG&E and SCE are “repeatedly missing state-mandated timelines to interconnect solar and storage.”

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Dec. 3, 2025

MISO begins reviewing 6.1 GW — 70% of it gas — in fast-track interconnection study

The grid operator’s Expedited Resource Addition Study process has grown to 11.2 GW, with an additional 18 GW seeking to join the initiative.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 2, 2025

Utilities, regulators look to accelerate pilots to achieve speed-to-innovation

Stakeholders say clear cost limits, timelines and parameters for scaling can overcome the inertia of a traditionally risk-averse industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2025

Power plants in SPP can expand up to 20% under new FERC-approved fast-track review

Developers must show that the necessary financing and equipment has been secured and that the project can be online within five years.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 1, 2025

States must advance technology-neutral permitting to support clean energy

A competitive environment is necessary for rapid innovation and cost reduction as federal support evaporates, say Leila Banijamali and Zachary Millimet of Symbium.

By Leila Banijamali and Zachary Millimet • Nov. 25, 2025

Natural gas sees ‘largest year-over-year drop’ in California as solar surges

For the first eight months of this year, utility-scale solar generation totaled 40.3 billion kilowatt hours in California, and natural gas accounted for 45.5 BkWh.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 25, 2025

San Antonio’s public utility seeks 600 MW of solar

“It is probably an excellent time to be shopping for Black Friday deals on renewables in the ERCOT market right now,” said Joshua Rhodes, an energy research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 20, 2025

How renewable energy producers can navigate FERC’s new interconnection rules

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reforms aim to accelerate interconnection, but regional differences can affect project timelines, write energy attorneys at Balch & Bingham.

By Kevin McNamee, Abby Fox and Ricky Cox • Nov. 19, 2025

Groups sue FERC over MISO, SPP fast-track interconnection programs

The groups contend the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and Southwest Power Pool’s processes give undue advantage to fast-tracked projects and will lead to higher residential ratepayer costs.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2025

Winter peak demand is rising faster than resource additions: NERC

Batteries and demand response make up the bulk of new resources heading into this winter, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Tuesday. Following capacity changes in some markets, wind resources declined.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2025

Consumers Energy to invest more than $13B in renewables, distribution by 2029

Executives said they expect the U.S. Energy Department to renew the emergency order to keep a coal plant online, emphasizing that the costs will be spread across the region.

By Brian Martucci • Nov. 18, 2025

Arko exploring solar energy for 300 convenience stores

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Apollo Power, which specializes in flexible solar panels meant to go on commercial and industrial roofs.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 18, 2025

Groups sue FERC over its approval of SPP’s capacity accreditation plan

The Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club contend the Southwest Power Pool’s accreditation methodologies improperly favor fossil-fueled power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 18, 2025

Solar project delays decreased in Q3 2025: EIA

In the third quarter, “solar projects representing about 20% of planned capacity reported a delay, a decrease from 25% in the same period in 2024,” said the Energy Information Administration.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 14, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: Electricity prices extend rise, regulators rein in data centers

Meanwhile, new renewable generation projects continue to face delays and cancellations.

By Meris Lutz • Nov. 14, 2025

2.4-GW New Jersey offshore wind project canceled by developer

“The offshore wind industry has experienced economic and regulatory conditions that have made the development of new offshore wind energy projects extremely difficult,” Invenergy said in a regulatory filing. 

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 13, 2025

Tribes, conservation groups urge FERC to uphold veto policy on preliminary hydro permits

The U.S. Department of Energy wants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stop giving tribes and federal agencies veto power over preliminary permit applications for projects on their land.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 13, 2025

St. Paul, Minnesota, and environmental groups sue over canceled DOE clean energy grants

The lawsuit claims the Trump administration’s cancellation of $7.56 billion in grants for projects in 16 states was politically motivated.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 12, 2025

Sunrun sees 400% growth in virtual power plant participation

The company says battery attachment rate is 70% for new customers in the third quarter of 2025, up 10 percentage points from last year.

By Brian Martucci • Nov. 10, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: Gas valuations soar, but solar leads new capacity

Other figures show a continued contraction in manufacturing, rising wind prices and interest in 765-kV power lines.

By Meris Lutz • Nov. 7, 2025

Clearway projects strong renewables outlook while adding gas assets

CEO Craig Cornelius said data centers and reindustrialization will continue to be a “core driver of Clearway’s growth outlook.”

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 6, 2025

Xcel proposes doubling battery storage at Minnesota coal plant

Xcel Energy asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for authorization to boost energy storage at its Sherco plant to 600 MW.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2025