Trump's U-turn starts to influence clean-power downshift
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Combined levels of U.S. "clean" power installations barely grew in Q2, and the future project pipeline also stalled, new data shows.
Why it matters: The effects of Trump 2.0 U-turns on energy policy are coming into focus, the American Clean Power Association said alongside its latest market snapshot.
- The latest numbers are "early indicators of federal policy attacks and fluctuating trade policy," ACP said.
- They come a week after separate data from the Rhodium Group and MIT showed spikes in canceled EV and battery manufacturing plans.
Driving the news: ACP's Q2 and first-half market report tallies wind, utility-scale solar, and battery storage.
- Q2's capacity additions of 11.6 gigawatts were just 1% higher than Q2 2024, and the first half of 2025 saw a decline compared to last year.
- The pipeline of projects under construction or in "advanced development" did not grow, ACP found (check out the graphic above).
- The amount of future electricity contracted via corporate power purchase agreements dropped sharply.
Zoom in: The picture varies by technology.
- Installations of battery storage — a smaller sector than wind and solar — rose 63% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024.
- Wind ticked up 12%, but utility-scale solar installations were 23% below the first six months of 2024.
What we're watching: The fallout from policies and decisions that surfaced since the period covered by the report.
- Think new restrictions for onshore wind and solar projects that have various ties to federal lands, and Trump officials' intent to scuttle permits for planned offshore wind developments.
- Meanwhile, developers are racing to tap wind and solar tax credits sunsetting under the new GOP budget law.
- Projects must start construction by July 4, 2026 or begin operations by the end of 2027 in order to access the subsidies.
The bottom line: "The uncertainty created by new bureaucratic delays and unclear demands is having a chilling effect on the pipeline for future energy projects," Jason Grumet, ACP's CEO, said in a statement.
