China has granted rare earth export permits to domestic magnet manufacturers for the first time since introducing sweeping restrictions in April 2025, in a move reflecting a calibrated stance on mineral controls amid easing trade tensions with the US.

Leadsun Greentech, a Taiwan-based company specializing in renewable energy, announced on May 12, 2025, that it has been selected as a green energy supplier for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This agreement comes after the company's notable partnership with Taiwan Mobile in 2024, the first Taiwanese firm to join the RE100 initiative. Following this latest development, Leadsun Greentech's board has approved the signing of a renewable energy purchase agreement with TSMC.

Huawei International and Keppel Ltd.'s Infrastructure Division have entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop renewable energy solutions, particularly in photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Europe is grappling with growing concerns over the cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese-made photovoltaic inverters, prompting discussions about restricting high-risk suppliers from connecting to its power systems. The debate mirrors the 2019 US ban on Huawei solar inverters, which cited potential remote control threats to the power grid, particularly during wartime.

Taiwan Fertilizer Co. (TFC) has officially launched its third phase development project, with a groundbreaking ceremony for its D7-B Research and Development Building neighboring its current TFC ONE high-tech and business center. At the ceremony, TFC chairman Suen-zone Lee pointed to the company's unwavering dedication, even maintaining its fertilizer business at a loss to support national development policies, and these ongoing projects aim to attract top-tier talent with a stellar work environment.

Qisda Group's subsidiary Ace Energy participated in the annual technology event Computex 2025, showcasing its latest upgraded PowerGlow cloud energy management platform, making the first public unveiling of the enhanced system.

At the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, Warren Buffett stressed the importance of an "intelligent energy policy" for the US. As the US energy market enters a critical transition phase, Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) will be investing approximately US$14.7 billion over the next three years in power transmission and distribution infrastructure, accounting for more than 45% of its total capex. This signals an acceleration in the US toward an era of smart grids that integrate renewable energy and energy storage systems.

China dominates global solar manufacturing with an 85% market share, a position that has prompted strategic shifts in US policy. During former President Joe Biden's administration, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offered substantial subsidies, enticing Chinese solar firms to establish US-based factories. In contrast, President Donald Trump has signaled intentions to repeal the IRA and escalate tariff wars, further accelerating Chinese manufacturers' rush to build American facilities.

The US recently imposed final anti-dumping duties on solar cell and module manufacturers from four Southeast Asian countries—Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia—with rates of 34.4%, 395.9%, 375.2%, and a staggering 3,521% for Cambodia.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has implemented exceptionally high anti-dumping tariffs on solar modules imported from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Most notably, Cambodia faces tariffs as high as 3,521% due to its lack of cooperation during investigations. This action reflects the administration's firm approach to combating "origin-washing," a practice where manufacturers reroute products through third countries to circumvent US trade restrictions. Market experts indicate that tariffs above 60% typically disrupt bilateral trade, and rates exceeding 3,500% effectively result in an almost complete halt of imports from the affected countries.

China's decision to tighten export controls on seven rare earth elements has sent global prices soaring more than threefold since early April, raising alarms across critical industries, particularly electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has achieved financial closure for the Fengmiao offshore wind farm's first phase, marking a milestone as the first fully financed project in Taiwan's third phase (Zonal Development) of offshore wind development.

Amid the ongoing AI boom, data center operators have been constantly searching for stable, low-carbon, and eco-friendly energy sources to power their ever-growing computing operations. Geothermal energy has consequently become increasingly favored by the AI industry.

A large-scale blackout in Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, highlighted the need for resilient power grids during energy transitions. With Taiwan set to retire its last nuclear reactor by May 17, 2025, the growing reliance on intermittent renewable energy raises concerns about the country's grid stability. Taiwan's isolated grid necessitates the swift development of smart grids and energy storage to reduce outage risks during extreme events.

Geothermal energy has become one of the few areas of consensus in America's polarized energy policy debate, garnering support from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration for different but complementary reasons.

To prevent Chinese solar products from circumventing origin rules, the US Department of Commerce recently announced tariffs on solar products from Southeast Asian countries, with rates reaching as high as 3,521%. Regarding the impact of these tariffs, HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) chairman Edward Hsieh stated that since the company does not export any goods to the US, the direct effect is minimal. However, overall market fluctuations may still cause some indirect impacts.

The US has imposed sweeping new tariffs on solar products from four Southeast Asian countries, raising concerns among Malaysian manufacturers over the impact on their operations and clean energy ambitions.

Delta Electronics expects to boost its India operations as global tariff regimes continue to shift supply chains, a senior executive told Digitimes Asia in an interview, adding that the company is preparing to bring more global customers to its local manufacturing facilities.

The list of donors for US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony has been released, with South Korean conglomerates Samsung, Hyundai Motor, and Hanwha making large donations through US subsidiaries. Observers interpret the donations as an attempt by South Korean companies to proactively seek favorable outcomes related to US tariff policy.

Giga Solar Materials (GSMC), a Taiwanese solar energy module conductive paste manufacturer, announced on April 22 that it has invested in the acquisition of module production equipment in the US. The company plans to officially begin production in California in June, establishing GSMC's first solar module manufacturing base in the US. This also makes it the first Taiwanese solar energy module company to begin production in the US.

According to Reuters and Yonhap, South Korea's LG Energy Solution announced on April 21, 2025, that it has formally withdrawn from a major US$8.45 billion electric vehicle battery development project in Indonesia, citing shifts in market conditions and the investment climate.

Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda, an Apple product supplier, is set to increase its investment in Bac Giang, Vietnam. According to The Investor, environmental assessment data from the local Bac Giang government reveals that Sunwoda will inject an additional US$22.5 million into the project, bringing the total capital investment to US$30.2 million.

The US set new duties as high as 3,521% on solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries, delivering a win for domestic manufacturers while intensifying headwinds already threatening the country's renewable power development.

Taiwan's offshore wind sector may benefit from lower costs as US policy changes ease global supply chain pressures, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).