[SMM PV News] Singapore Surpasses 2 GW Solar Capacity

Australia’s utility-scale solar and wind generation reached 4.7 TWh in March 2026, a 2% year-on-year increase according to Rystad Energy. As the country transitioned into autumn, Queensland and Western Australia emerged as top performers, with the Columboola solar plant leading the rankings with a 32.4% AC capacity factor. Notably, Queensland hit a historic milestone in wind generation, while southern states experienced a seasonal slump. The market’s transformation is accelerating as 8.9 GW of utility battery storage and renewables continue to displace gas generation, particularly during evening peaks, signaling a shift toward hybrid configurations to maximize asset utilization.

Greece’s Public Power Corp (PPC) has completed 2.13 GW of solar PV installations on former lignite mine sites, creating the largest PV cluster in Europe. Capable of generating 3,150 GWh annually, the cluster covers nearly 6% of the country’s electricity consumption. Key projects include the 550 MW Phoebe plant and the 940 MW Amyntaio complex, developed in partnership with Germany’s RWE. To support these utility-scale assets, PPC is also deploying large-scale energy storage systems to enhance grid stability. PPC Deputy CEO Konstantinos Mavros noted that this transformation of coal mines into a green energy hub secures Greece's energy independence amid a volatile global landscape.

Scotland-headquartered Aggreko has finalized a landmark 15-year PPA with Harmony Gold to develop Australia’s largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility for the Eva copper project in Queensland. The facility will combine a 118 MWp solar farm, a 250 MWh battery energy storage system, and 104 MVA of thermal backup to support the AUD 2.4 billion open-pit mine. This project underscores a significant shift in the Australian resources sector toward low-emission energy, setting a new benchmark for off-grid power by optimizing renewable integration to reduce fuel consumption and improve emissions performance across the mine’s lifecycle.