Grid & Finance: India Ratings and Research warns the renewable boom is running into a transmission readiness gap, with a projected 32–40 GW mismatch and curtailment risk as projects start before grid access. Industrial Power: Australia will fund a $2.5B lifeline for Rio Tinto’s Tomago aluminium smelter, aiming to keep it running past 2028 with new generation and decarbonisation steps. Batteries & Wind Funding: Squadron Energy secured a $2.7B refinance to expand beyond wind into more batteries and hybrid projects. Solar Build-Out: A Texas solar-and-storage project worth $200M is set for construction next year, targeting 150 MW for the Southwest Power Pool. Policy Push: California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra proposes a free “power hour” midday electricity plan to shift demand toward peak solar. Bioenergy: The USDA awarded a $570K grant to West Bio-Hat Creek Bioenergy to expand renewable output and boost biochar production while reducing wildfire risk. Hydropower Deal: JSW Energy and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation signed up to jointly develop the 920 MW Punatsangchhu-III hydropower project. Energy Security: Egypt hit a record 40,000 MW peak load during a heatwave, underscoring strain on power systems. Solar Waste: New research flags a looming PV waste problem, projecting up to 402M tonnes of discarded panels by 2060, with recycling framed as a major opportunity.