Clean Energy

Netherlands Issues Second Decision Note on Industrial RFNBO Annual Obligation Bill (Kamerstuk 36936)

The Netherlands has issued a second decision note and submitted its bill to the House of Representatives to introduce an annual RFNBO obligation for hydrogen-using industrial installations under the EU RED III framework. This moves the proposal into the parliamentary phase and clarifies that future compliance is expected to rely on NEa-administered reporting and tradable renewable hydrogen units, meaning large industrial hydrogen and ammonia users should start assessing exposure, data needs and sourcing options.

15 May 2026, 18:34tweedekamer.nlNetherlands

California SB 1359 on Gas Transition Responsibility and Electrification Advances in Senate

California’s SB 1359 Gas Transition Responsibility and Electrification Act has advanced in the Senate and would require the utilities regulator to align gas distribution planning with climate targets, prioritise building electrification, and manage stranded asset risks from the late 2020s onward. If enacted, gas utilities would face stricter scrutiny of large network investments, shareholder-funded decommissioning and leak costs, and limits on ratepayer subsidies for new connections, materially shifting transition risk, capital planning, and electrification strategies for California’s gas and building sectors.

15 May 2026, 17:45leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

UK Adopts Offshore Wind Habitats Compensatory Measures Regulations 2026

The UK has adopted regulations under the Energy Act 2023 that amend the Habitats Regulations to require “appropriate” compensatory measures and a formal compensation hierarchy when consenting offshore wind projects that adversely affect protected marine sites, effective from May 2026 across all UK waters. This strengthens environmental safeguards around offshore wind development and will shape future consenting strategies, mitigation design, and cost and risk profiles for offshore wind project developers and regulators.

15 May 2026, 16:20legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Council Working Document WK 4615 2026 – Belgium Comments on TEN‑E Regulation Recast (ST 5865/26 REV 1)

Belgium has submitted extensive comments on the EU Council’s second Presidency compromise text to recast the TEN‑E Regulation, which would replace the current 2022 framework for cross‑border energy infrastructure and amend key electricity and gas market laws. The paper signals Belgium’s priorities around technology‑neutral hydrogen rules, stronger environmental safeguards, more flexible national permitting governance and data‑driven multi‑scenario planning, which could shape final obligations for investment in EU electricity, hydrogen and CO₂ networks over the coming years.

15 May 2026, 16:18data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Council Working Paper WK 4620/2026 — Spain Comments on TEN‑E Regulation (Chapters I–IV and Annexes I–VII)

Spain has submitted detailed comments on the Council’s second compromise text for the revised TEN‑E Regulation, highlighting positions on permitting timelines, environmental assessment, and hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure. These positions point to potential faster permitting and clearer rules for cross‑border low‑carbon energy projects once the final TEN‑E revision is agreed, which could materially affect investment and project planning for energy infrastructure developers.

15 May 2026, 16:18data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany Proposes EEG Amendment for 5 GW 2026 Onshore Wind Special Auction

Germany’s Bundesrat has proposed an amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act to introduce a one-off 5 GW onshore wind auction in 2026. If adopted and cleared under EU state aid rules, this could accelerate onshore wind build-out and influence project pipelines, grid planning, and renewable power pricing for energy-intensive operators.

15 May 2026, 16:12dserver.bundestag.deGermany

Vermont Senate Concurs With House Amendments to Portable Solar Energy Devices Bill S.202

In May 2026 the Vermont Senate concurred, with further amendment, in the House’s proposal of amendment to Bill S.202, which would create a simplified legal framework for UL-certified plug-in portable solar generation devices. If enacted with its current structure and a planned 1 July 2026 start date, the bill would allow small 1.2 kW plug-in solar units to be installed without full certificate-of-public-good or interconnection approvals, while excluding them from net metering and pre-empting many local and private restrictions—requiring manufacturers, utilities and property owners to update product, grid and real-estate practices.

15 May 2026, 16:12legislature.vermont.govUnited States

China: Sichuan Issues Trial Implementation Rules for Green Power Direct Connection Projects

In May 2026 Sichuan issued trial implementation rules for green power direct connection projects, setting detailed technical, planning and market conditions for new wind, solar and biomass capacity directly linked to large electricity users. These rules create a structured pathway for high-load and data-centric operations in Sichuan to secure dedicated renewable supply while meeting strict self-consumption, grid-access and project-timing requirements, shaping future energy procurement and decarbonisation strategies.

15 May 2026, 15:46tanjiaoyi.comChina

Michigan Bill To Repeal Clean and Renewable Energy Standards Sent to Senate Committee

In May 2026, Michigan lawmakers advanced HB 5711, a bill that would dismantle the state's clean and renewable energy standards under the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act, with the measure now before the Senate Government Operations Committee following House passage. If enacted, this would roll back statutory requirements on utilities to deliver renewable energy and efficiency programmes, weakening long-term decarbonisation signals and forcing energy and sustainability teams with Michigan exposure to reassess assumptions about future clean power supply and compliance obligations.

15 May 2026, 15:24legislature.mi.govUnited States

Michigan HB 5711 to Repeal Clean Energy Standards Passes House and Moves to Senate Committee

In May 2026 the Michigan Legislature advanced HB 5711, a bill to repeal the state’s statutory clean and renewable energy standards under the 2008 Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act. If enacted, this would roll back utility-level renewable and efficiency obligations in Michigan, potentially reshaping decarbonisation plans and energy-sourcing strategies for large energy users in the state.

15 May 2026, 15:09legislature.mi.govUnited States

Germany Federal Government Submits Draft EnWG Amendment to Implement EU Gas and Hydrogen Market Package (BT-Drs 21/5440)

In April 2026, the German federal government tabled a major draft law to amend the Energy Industry Act and related statutes to implement the EU gas and hydrogen internal market package and fully integrate hydrogen networks into national energy regulation. If adopted, this reform will reshape gas and hydrogen network planning, access and long-term contracting, accelerating hydrogen infrastructure roll-out while tightening constraints on fossil gas use, with material strategic implications for utilities and energy-intensive industry through 2026 and beyond.

15 May 2026, 15:03dserver.bundestag.deGermanyEuropean Union

UK Government Extends Consultation on Eskdalemuir Seismic Array Wind Turbine Interference

The UK government has extended its Scotland-focused consultation on managing onshore wind turbine interference with the Eskdalemuir seismic array, with responses now due by 12 June 2026. This gives onshore wind developers and other stakeholders extra time to assess how proposed changes to secondary legislation and planning guidance could affect project siting and planning decisions near the Eskdalemuir monitoring facility.

15 May 2026, 14:41gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Finland Consults on Draft Hydrogen Market Act and Energy Market Law Reforms

Finland has opened a public consultation on a draft Hydrogen Market Act and related energy market legislation to implement the EU’s new gas and hydrogen market rules, with responses due by 8 July 2026. The package will define how hydrogen networks and markets are organised and supervised, meaning energy and industrial companies planning hydrogen investments in Finland should engage early to shape infrastructure access, pricing conditions and future regulatory risk.

15 May 2026, 13:44lausuntopalvelu.fiFinland

UK Government Publishes Capacity Market Hydrogen-to-Power and Interconnector Outcome

In May 2026 the UK government published its response to a call for evidence on enabling hydrogen-to-power plants to participate in the Capacity Market and on revising how interconnector de-rating factors are calculated. These decisions signal forthcoming adjustments to Capacity Market methodologies ahead of prequalification 2026, shaping how interconnector capacity and future hydrogen projects are treated in auctions and informing investment and bidding strategies for energy market participants.

15 May 2026, 13:39gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK Government Sets Energy and Cyber Security Agenda for Manufacturers in King’s Speech 2026

The 2026 King’s Speech sets out a 35‑Bill programme focused on energy independence, digital resilience and closer EU relations, with a carried‑over Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and new energy measures that matter for manufacturers. For UK manufacturing and critical‑infrastructure suppliers, this signals likely future obligations on cyber‑secure supply chains and a long‑term shift in energy policy, but limited near‑term relief from high energy costs or labour‑market pressures.

15 May 2026, 13:36gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Illinois Senate Sets Third Reading for SB3922 on Energy Storage Payments and Renewable Siting

Illinois Senate Bill 3922 has passed second reading and is scheduled for third reading in the Senate, proposing to lock in specific payments for energy storage in virtual power plant programmes, maintain distributed generation rebates, and cap generic setback distances for commercial wind and solar projects. If enacted, these changes would materially influence the economics and siting flexibility of storage and renewable projects in Illinois, so utilities, developers, and large energy users should monitor the upcoming Senate vote and potential House consideration closely.

15 May 2026, 13:26ilga.govUnited States

China SAMR Publishes 19 National Standards For Green And Intelligent Ships

In May 2026, China's market regulator approved 19 national ship-sector standards on new-energy propulsion, intelligent ship systems, corrosion protection, piping components and firefighting. These standards will shape design and testing expectations for shipbuilders, equipment suppliers and operators adopting methanol fuel and advanced safety technologies in the Chinese market.

15 May 2026, 13:25samr.gov.cnChina

New Zealand Government Outlines Gas Security Package After Sharp Reserves Drop

New Zealand has released 2026 petroleum reserves data showing a sharp 23 percent fall in gas reserves and is using this as the backdrop to publicly promote a pro-gas energy security package, including reversing the offshore exploration ban, creating a NZD 200 million Gas Security Fund, pursuing LNG import capacity, and enabling CCUS. These moves signal a material shift in New Zealand’s energy transition trajectory toward more gas and new infrastructure, with implications for future permitting, investment decisions, climate targets, and long-term reliability and affordability of power for energy-intensive industry.

15 May 2026, 13:22beehive.govt.nzNew Zealand

Vermont Senate Takes Up House Amendments to Portable Solar Energy Devices Bill S.202

Vermont’s portable plug-in solar bill S.202 has passed the House with amendments and is now before the Senate as unfinished business, with the Senate-passed text exempting small UL-certified plug-in solar units from certificate-of-public-good and interconnection agreement requirements while imposing capacity, smart-meter, and safety conditions. If enacted on the planned 1 July 2026 effective date, this framework would open the Vermont market for portable balcony-style solar while limiting net-metering eligibility and utility control, so manufacturers, retailers, utilities, and property managers should prepare for potential demand growth and constraints on interconnection and land-use restrictions.

15 May 2026, 13:08legislature.vermont.govUnited States

Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria Call for Stronger Biogas Support in EEG 2027

In May 2026 the agriculture ministers of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria issued the Ulm Declaration urging the federal government to strengthen biogas support in the upcoming EEG 2027 reform and Biomassepaket 2.0. If taken up, their demands for higher auction volumes, a 130 €/kW flexibility premium and a national green gases strategy would materially influence long-term revenue certainty, investment signals and operating models for German biogas plants.

15 May 2026, 09:29baden-wuerttemberg.deGermany