OMNI Features｜China Is Ramping Up Grid Spending After Green Power Supply Boom．Philippines, UAE's Masdar Agree $15 bln Renewable Energy Project．Netherlands and UK Collaborate on First DC Hybrid Interconnector LionLink

｜China Is Ramping Up Grid Spending After Green Power Supply Boom
China is scaling up investments in power transmission to complement its massive renewable energy expansion. In the first 11 months of last year, spending on transmission surged 19% to 529 billion yuan, outpacing the 12% growth in new power generation capacity investments. State Grid Corp. plans to increase spending to over 650 billion yuan by 2025, while China Southern Power Grid aims to boost network upgrade investments by more than 50% by 2027. These efforts are critical as China's wind and solar capacity, which more than doubled from 2020 to 2024, often require extensive infrastructure to connect remote energy sources to demand centers. However, grid limitations are already causing some regions to curtail renewable energy generation.

This expansion is also driving demand for key metals like copper, steel, and aluminum, vital for grid construction. Local governments and industries, facing economic challenges, depend on a reliable energy supply to lower electricity costs. Yet, China's energy transition faces hurdles: renewables' dependence on weather and geographical dispersion, as well as the persistent dominance of coal. Addressing these issues is urgent to prevent bottlenecks that could delay the country's clean energy ambitions. Meanwhile, the broader metals market, including aluminum and iron ore, reflects mixed trends, influenced by shifting domestic and global demands.

｜Philippines, UAE's Masdar Agree $15 bln Renewable Energy Project
The UAE's Masdar has partnered with the Philippines in a $15 billion renewable energy deal to develop solar, wind, and battery storage systems, targeting 1 GW of clean energy by 2030. This initiative aligns with the Philippines' goal to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expand renewable energy's share to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, from 22.8% in 2022.

The project, with plans to scale up to 10 GW by 2035, is complemented by the energy department's upcoming green energy auction program. This includes bidding for 300 MW of impounding hydro, 4,250 MW of pumped storage hydro, and 100 MW of geothermal projects.

｜Netherlands and UK Collaborate on First DC Hybrid Interconnector LionLink
Dutch Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans has announced the inclusion of LionLink, the first direct-current hybrid interconnector, in the Netherlands' Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework. LionLink will connect the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm to both Dutch and UK onshore high-voltage grids, serving as an innovative link for cross-border electricity exchange. The project, developed by TenneT and UK partner National Grid Ventures, represents a significant step towards integrated offshore wind energy.

Key milestones remain, including decisions on market design for Nederwiek 3's tender and new EU-UK market coupling arrangements for effective interconnector operation. The tender for Nederwiek 3 is set for 2026, alongside awards for other offshore wind sites. Launched in 2023, LionLink is supported by extensive surveys and licensing efforts, underscoring its role as a first-of-its-kind energy link.

參考來源：Energy Connects｜Reuters｜offshorewind.biz