Power Generation

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

Texas TCEQ Schedules Public Meeting On Proposed Air Permits For Kilby Power Plant

TCEQ has announced a 10 June 2026 public meeting and comment opportunity on proposed state, PSD and GHG PSD air permits for Energy Forge One LLC’s new Kilby Power Plant in Reeves County, Texas. The project would add a new power plant permitted under PSD and GHG PSD programmes, so nearby industry and communities may wish to engage early on emissions controls, greenhouse gas impacts and permit conditions before TCEQ finalises its decision.

15 May 2026, 16:17sos.state.tx.usUnited States

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

US EPA Proposes Revisions to Steam Electric Effluent Guidelines for Unmanaged Combustion Residual Leachate

In May 2026 the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed revising the steam electric effluent guidelines so that controls on unmanaged coal combustion residual leachate shift from uniform national limits to site-specific, best-professional-judgment determinations for most groundwater-driven discharges, while retaining mercury and arsenic limits for pumped leachate. If finalised, this would significantly reduce compliance costs and give coal-fired power plants and NPDES permit writers more flexibility in how they manage coal-ash leachate, so utilities, regulators, and large industrial power users should monitor the rulemaking, consider commenting, and reassess long-term wastewater and permitting strategies under the Clean Water Act.

15 May 2026, 16:11epa.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

UK Updates Fuel Mix Disclosure Data Table With 2025/26 Loss Factor Estimate

In May 2026 the UK government updated the statutory Fuel Mix Disclosure data table to add a new transmission and distribution loss factor estimate for the 2025/26 disclosure year, alongside refreshed 2024/25 fuel mix and environmental impact data. Electricity suppliers can use this updated loss factor and reference values when planning and preparing 2025/26 fuel-mix disclosures on customer bills and marketing materials, affecting how low-carbon versus fossil electricity is reported and potentially influencing tariff and procurement strategies.

15 May 2026, 13:58gov.ukUnited Kingdom

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

California AB 2266 Would Standardise Capacity Valuation And Reporting For Load-Serving Entities

California’s AB 2266 would require the Public Utilities Commission to adopt a single capacity valuation method and consolidate key resource adequacy and renewables compliance reporting for load-serving entities by 1 January 2030. If enacted, this would tighten planning and reporting expectations for utilities and energy providers, influencing procurement choices, transparency around backstop procurement, and long-term grid reliability strategies.

15 May 2026, 13:38leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

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

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

US Senate Calendars S.J.Res.188 To Disapprove EPA Hazardous Air Pollutant Rule Repeal for Coal- and Oil-Fired Power Plants

In May 2026 the US Senate placed S.J.Res.188, a Congressional Review Act resolution to disapprove EPA’s repeal of hazardous air pollutant standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants, on its Legislative Calendar. If advanced and enacted, this could materially change emission-control requirements for affected US generating units, so power producers should track potential floor action and plan for divergent compliance scenarios.

15 May 2026, 12:18congress.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

Colorado Enacts HB26-1007 to Expand Customer Use of Portable Solar and Distributed Energy Resources

In May 2026 Colorado enacted HB26-1007 to expand customer access to small-scale solar and other distributed energy resources by regulating portable plug-in solar devices and directing utilities to support meter collar adapters and streamlined interconnection. This will lower barriers and costs for residential and small commercial DER installations in Colorado while imposing new UL certification, interconnection-rule, and property covenant obligations on DER equipment makers, electric utilities, landlords, and homeowners’ associations ahead of late-2026 and 2027 implementation.

12 May 2026, 18:26leg.colorado.govUnited States

UK DESNZ Publishes Outcome on CfD Contract Amendments To Implement Clean Industry Bonus Reforms for AR8

The UK government has issued its response to the Clean Industry Bonus consultation and published updated AR8 Contracts for Difference contracts, confirming final CIB-related contract amendments and opening the CIB application window on 13 May 2026. CfD bidders now need to understand the new workforce protection, skills investment and project-level requirements and reflect them in their supply chain and bidding strategies for upcoming allocation rounds.

12 May 2026, 15:26gov.ukUnited Kingdom