【SMM News Flash】 Australia's NEM rooftop solar output reaches record 17,488 MW

October 13, EnergyPathways announced the closing of its previously launched fundraising, raising £1.75 million from one institutional investor at 5.75 pence per share. Proceeds are intended to advance MESH, acquire key assets including land and existing pipelines, and provide working capital. MESH combines planned compressed-air energy storage with natural gas and hydrogen storage, with a 300 MW/55 GWh long-duration storage configuration. Hydrogen operations are targeted for 2029–2030 and long-duration storage for 2031–2032, subject to policy, approvals and financing. The placing also remains conditional on admission of the new shares, among other conditions.

October 13, Central Electricity Authority Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad told an Indian Chamber of Commerce event that India’s coal capacity additions required by 2035 could rise from the previously planned 97 GW to 105 GW or even 150 GW. These additions use 2023 as the baseline, reflecting rising demand and lower hydropower output. Prasad also said renewable capacity would continue expanding, with annual additions expected to exceed 50 GW. In September, India’s electricity shortfall reached 560 million kWh, coal generation rose 13.3% year on year and hydropower generation fell 20%.

October 13, the US Department of Energy announced plans to support 84 Tennessee Valley Authority transmission and distribution projects across eight states, adding approximately 2.5 GW of grid capacity. Total funding is about $581 million: $250 million in federal support and roughly $331 million in applicant contributions, serving an estimated 2.58 million households and businesses. The initiative falls under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program and is expected to support about 800 jobs. Final funding, scope, schedules and award conditions remain subject to executed agreements and applicable environmental, permitting, regulatory and Tribal reviews.