PV Tech Premium explores the impacts that the EU's revised cybersecurity review will have on the continent's solar industry.

The European Commission has approved nearly €650 million in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to support 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The allocation aligns with the European Grids Package, which highlights improved interconnectivity [...]

The post European Commission allocates €650 million for cross-border energy projects appeared first on Renewable Watch.

The European Commission has released its proposal to revise its Cybersecurity Act (CSA), which includes provisions to exclude “high-risk” companies and components from European supply chains.

IRU, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and T&E urge the European Commission to ensure continuity of EU funding for heavy-duty vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, warning that a break in support in 2026–2027 would risk slowing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles. In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President ... [continued]

The post EU Cannot Afford to Pause Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Charging Deployment appeared first on CleanTechnica.

The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation to assess whether a €61 million ($71.6 million) arbitration award in favor of Malta-based ACF Renewable Energy is compatible with EU State aid rules.

The European Commission said it will investigate an arbitration award ordering Bulgaria to pay €61.04 million plus interest to ACF Renewable Energy Ltd., which invested in a Bulgarian solar plant under a 2011 renewable energy support scheme.

Bulgaria modified the scheme in 2013 and 2014, prompting ACF to pursue arbitration. The arbitral tribunal found Bulgaria breached the Energy Charter Treaty and awarded compensation in January 2024. Bulgaria notified the European Commission but has not paid the sum.

The European Commission said its preliminary view at this stage is that implementing the award would constitute state aid under Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, making it potentially incompatible with the internal market. The investigation will also consider whether the award breaches EU treaty provisions on the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The probe allows Bulgaria and interested parties to submit comments. It does not indicate the European Commission’s final decision.

EU law generally prohibits intra-EU investor-state arbitration under bilateral investment treaties or the Energy Charter Treaty, following the 2018 Achmea judgment and the 2021 Komstroy ruling. The EU formally withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty in June 2025.

The European Commission said that legal protections for investors remain through national courts and EU law, and member states must ensure renewable energy support measures are stable and do not undermine the economic viability of projects.

In December 2025, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Energy awarded more than 4 GWh of energy storage capacity across 31 projects under its RESTORE 2 procurement plan, committing BGN 228.9 million ($137.2 million) to develop standalone renewable energy storage infrastructure nationally.

And in October 2025, International Power Supply switched on Bulgaria’s first battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing facility near Sofia with an initial annual capacity of 3 GWh, with plans to expand to 5 GWh by the second quarter of 2026.

The European Commission is advancing market matching for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen by inviting European offtakers to signal supply interest under the Hydrogen Mechanism, while Germany’s electrolysis rollout continues to lag official targets despite new EU-backed funding schemes.

The European Commission said it is inviting European offtakers to express interest in supply offers under the Hydrogen Mechanism, adding that the current phase runs until March 20, 2026, under the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform that links buyers with suppliers of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives including ammonia, methanol, eMethane and electro-sustainable aviation fuel, after companies submitted supply offers from more than 260 projects from Nov. 12, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026, with the European Commission set to outline further details at an online webinar on Jan. 27. Separately, the European Commission has also approved a €200 million ($234.9 million) German plan to support the production of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in Canada. “The scheme will support the construction of up to 300 MW of electrolysis capacity. The aid will be awarded through a competitive bidding process, planned to be concluded in 2027,” wrote the European executive body.

The Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI) said Germany’s rollout of electrolysis capacity is progressing far more slowly than planned. The institute said installed electrolyser capacity currently stands at 181 MW, with a further 1.3 GW having reached a final investment decision (FID) or being under construction. On that basis, EWI said total operating capacity could reach up to 1.5 GW by the end of 2027, leaving Germany on course to fall well short of its target of 10 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030.

BKW plans to take a 40%stake in the planned hydrogen-ready (H2-ready) gas-fired power plant at the Hamm site (North Rhine-Westphalia), Germany. “BKW is developing the project together with the German municipal utility cooperation Trianel,” said the German company. “The location offers ideal conditions: sufficient space, existing grid and gas connections, and a well-developed infrastructure.”

Lhyfe said it expects to increase by 70% its installed renewable hydrogen production capacity in 2026. The French company currently has four renewable hydrogen production sites installed in France and Germany (21 MW). “Lhyfe has been supplying France’s first motorway hydrogen station accessible to heavy goods vehicles, operated by TEAL Mobility, since November 2025”, said the company this week, underlining that the four sites received RFNBO certifications in May and September 2025.

Honda Motor said it has decided to discontinue production, before the end of 2026, of the current model of fuel cell system now produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, a joint venture between Honda and General Motors (GM). “After the discontinuation, Honda will utilize the next-generation fuel-cell system being developed independently by Honda”, said the Japanese company, referring to the joint venture established in January 2017 in Brownstown, Michigan.