Power Sector News Roundup for June 20, 2025

Global: Spain’s April blackout: Grid failure or planning flaw? India: PFC invites PMA bids for three transmission projects BSPTCL re-invites bids for grid substations and transmission lines in Bihar MAHAPREIT invites bids for 500 MW rooftop solar projects at MSMEs CEA proposes safety norms for battery energy storage systems in 2025 draft Arunachal Cabinet launches Rs 20 billion state power programme Hyosung wins Rs 7.69 billion STATCOM contract Ganesh Green and Delta Electronics win solar…

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Spain’s April blackout: Grid failure or planning flaw?

Spain’s grid operator Redeia is at the centre of a major controversy after a government report blamed its mismanagement for the country’s worst electricity blackout in recent history. The outage, which began shortly after 12:30 PM on 28 April 2025, plunged much of Spain—and parts of Portugal—into darkness. The blackout lasted into the night, disrupting transport, mobile networks, internet services, and critical infrastructure. In just five seconds, Spain lost 15 GW of power—around 60% of…

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Tata launches India’s most affordable rooftop solar in Odisha at Rs 2,499

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power, has launched one of India’s most affordable solar rooftop offerings in Odisha under its ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ campaign. The new offering enables residents to install rooftop solar systems with upfront payments starting at just Rs 2,499 for 1 kW. For 2 kW and 3 kW systems, the initial payments are Rs 4,999 and Rs 7,999 respectively. These systems are supported by consumer-friendly…

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Juniper Green commissions solar unit in Wardha

Juniper Green Energy has commissioned the 59 MWp solar component of its 75 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Wardha, Maharashtra.  The project, called Juniper Green Power Five, is being developed under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The PPA was signed in November 2024, with the scheduled commercial operation date set for November 2026. Juniper has delivered the project 17 months ahead of schedule. This marks the second…

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NTPC, Oben Electric and Avaana Capital raise funds

Three companies—NTPC Limited, Oben Electric, and Avaana Capital—have announced fundraises aligned with infrastructure, clean mobility, and sustainability-linked investments. NTPC raises Rs 40 billion via NCDs NTPC Limited has raised Rs 40 billion through the private placement of unsecured, non-convertible debentures (NCDs). The debentures carry a coupon rate of 6.89 per cent per annum and a tenor of 10 years and 1 day. This is the third issuance under its approved framework. The funds will be…

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Ganesh Green and Delta Electronics win solar equipment orders

Ganesh Green Bharat Limited has bagged a Rs 6,206.43 million contract from Zetwerk Manufacturing Business Private Limited. The order is for supplying solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for 378.75 MWp capacity at the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat’s Kutch district. This supply is part of NTPC’s 1,200 MW solar project under the North Block of its 4,750 MW Khavda Wind-Solar Hybrid Renewable Energy Power Park. Zetwerk had earlier secured the overall 1,515 MWp module contract…

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Hyosung wins Rs 7.69 billion STATCOM contract

Hyosung T&D India Private Limited has secured a contract worth Rs 7,698.98 million for the supply and installation of Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) systems under the “Provision of Dynamic Reactive Compensation at Khavda Pooling Station 1 (KPS1) and Khavda Pooling Station 3 (KPS3).” Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) had invited bids for the STATCOM Package ST 01T in November 2024. PGCIL received the letter of intent (LoI) for the project through tariff-based competitive…

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Arunachal Cabinet launches Rs 20 billion state power programme

The Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh has approved the Arunachal Pradesh Comprehensive State Power Development Program with a budget outlay of Rs 20 billion to be implemented over four years. The programme focuses on strengthening the state’s power infrastructure, electrifying unserved areas, and preparing for a hydropower-driven future. The scheme aims to develop sub-transmission and distribution systems in urban and high-density regions, electrify newly created districts and remote villages, and connect local mini-hydropower projects to the…

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CEA proposes safety norms for battery energy storage systems in 2025 draft

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released the Draft First Amendment to the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2025.  The amendment introduces new safety requirements for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These draft regulations are open for public comments until 20 July 2025.   A new chapter, X-A, has been added to the existing regulations. It outlines the safety framework for BESS, covering equipment design, installation, monitoring, and emergency measures….

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MAHAPREIT invites bids for 500 MW rooftop solar projects at MSMEs

Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT) has floated a tender to install 500 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects across Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in five states. An additional 250 MW capacity may be added under a greenshoe option. The projects will follow the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, where developers will invest, install and operate the systems, and MSMEs will pay only for the electricity used. The rooftop…