【SMM News Flash】Changzhou Advances Five Charging Station Projects and Adds Four DC Fast Chargers for Electric Buses

On October 6, TOYO held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its solar module factory in Humble, Texas, following expansion of the facility’s module nameplate capacity to 2 GW. The company announced completion of the expansion on October 7. At its October 6 Analyst Day, TOYO also presented plans for a heterojunction, or HJT, solar cell production line in Texas, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2028. Cell manufacturing is the company’s next development stage following the module expansion.

On October 7, Cargill announced an expansion of its US renewable electricity portfolio through a 12.6-year virtual power purchase agreement covering 87 MW from South Dakota’s Sweetland Wind project. Expected annual renewable generation is approximately 392,000 MWh. Cargill previously signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement for the full output of Oklahoma’s 85 MW Choctaw Fields Solar project, which began commercial operation in August 2026. Both projects are within the Southwest Power Pool. Electricity enters the regional grid, while Cargill receives the associated environmental attributes.

On October 7, South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister announced additional capacity procurement plans for the 2026–2037 planning period, proposing 4,600 MW of battery storage and 5,000 MW of gas generation. Batteries would charge during surplus generation periods and discharge during evening peaks and other demand periods. Storage procurement will include availability and performance obligations. Gas procurement will assess start-up times, ramping capability and minimum operating levels, alongside fuel supply, gas prices, port and pipeline infrastructure, grid connections and commissioning schedules.