Power Sector News Roundup for March 20, 2026

India plans 1,121 GW power capacity by 2035-36, solar to lead

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released the National Generation Adequacy Plan (NGAP) for 2026-27 to 2035-36, projecting total installed capacity to reach 1,121 GW by 2035-36 from 520.5 GW as of January 2026. Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is expected to rise to 509 GW, while coal-based capacity is projected at 315 GW, contributing around 51% of generation. Non-fossil capacity is estimated at 786 GW, or 70% of total capacity. The plan identifies a requirement of 174 GW / 888 GWh of energy storage and projects peak demand at 459 GW with a Loss of Load Probability (LOLP) of 0.18%.

Adani Power signals interest in JAL power assets after NCLT nod

Adani Power Limited (APL) has expressed in-principle interest in acquiring power assets from Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) following approval of a resolution plan by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The plan, submitted by Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), secured creditor approval for its Rs 14,535 crore bid in November 2025. APL intends to act as an implementing entity for power assets, subject to regulatory approvals. Specific assets and financial terms have not been disclosed.

POWERGRID expands subsidiary merger plan to 28 SPVs

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has approved the merger of 28 wholly owned subsidiaries into two entities, expanding an earlier plan covering 11 subsidiaries. The decision was taken at a board meeting on March 19, 2026. The consolidation involves transmission SPVs, including those linked to renewable energy evacuation. All mergers remain subject to approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

IREDA raises FY26 borrowing cap, sets Rs 40,000 crore FY27 plan

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has increased its FY2025-26 borrowing limit from Rs 30,800 crore to Rs 35,800 crore. For FY2026-27, it has approved a borrowing programme of up to Rs 40,000 crore. The borrowing mix includes taxable bonds, green bonds, external commercial borrowings (ECBs), and foreign currency loans. The revision reflects higher financing demand from renewable energy developers.

Bluspring to acquire STEAG India, adding 7 GW O&M portfolio

Bluspring Enterprises Limited will acquire 100% of STEAG Energy Services India Private Limited through its subsidiary. The transaction will add nearly 7 GW of managed assets and about 2,000 specialists. The deal is expected to close within 60 to 90 days, subject to customary conditions. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

BHEL to merge units in Haridwar and Hyderabad from April 1

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has approved the merger of HEEP and CFFP units in Haridwar and HPEP with PE&SD in Hyderabad, effective April 1, 2026. The restructuring aims to streamline operations and reduce administrative overhead. The board also approved an equity investment of Rs 3,064.46 crore in Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL). The investment will be made over four years.

NTPC signs MoU with Octopus Energy for power and digital collaboration

NTPC Limited has signed a non-binding MoU with Octopus Energy Group to explore collaboration in distribution, renewable energy, storage, EV charging, and digital platforms. The agreement was signed on March 19, 2026 at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. No specific investments or projects have been committed. The collaboration may extend across India, the United Kingdom, and other markets.

GAIL invests Rs 130 million in Leafiniti to develop CBG plants

GAIL (India) Limited has invested Rs 130 million in Leafiniti Bioenergy Private Limited to develop Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants. It will hold a 49% stake, while TruAlt Bioenergy Limited retains 51%. The first phase includes six plants of 12 tonnes per day capacity each. The project aligns with the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme.

UltraTech to acquire 26.18% stake in Sunsure solar SPV

UltraTech Cement Limited will acquire a 26.18% stake in Sunsure Solarpark Seven Private Limited for up to Rs 19.20 crore. The SPV is developing a 60 MWp DC / 40 MW AC solar project with battery storage in Uttar Pradesh. The investment is intended to meet captive power requirements and reduce energy costs. The project is expected to be completed within 180 days of agreement signing.

CEA clarifies external witnessing rule for in-house type tests

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has clarified that in-house type testing cannot be self-witnessed, even in NABL-accredited laboratories. External witnessing remains mandatory under Clause 3(d) of the Type Test Guidelines, 2026. The preferred hierarchy includes representatives from other NABL-accredited labs, utilities, or CEA. The clarification was issued on March 19, 2026.

POWERGRID approves Rs 705.30 crore procurement of grid spares

POWERGRID has approved procurement of cold spare transformers and reactors worth Rs 705.30 crore. The decision was taken at a board meeting on March 19, 2026, with a 30-month implementation timeline. The procurement follows recommendations of the Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC). The equipment will support reliability of high-voltage transmission systems.

RenewSys commissions 3 GW solar module plant in Maharashtra

RenewSys India has commissioned a 3 GW solar module manufacturing facility in Khopoli, increasing total capacity to 5.6 GW. The plant spans over 7 lakh square feet and includes automated production lines with digital monitoring. The company is also setting up a 4.5 GW solar cell manufacturing line for FY2026-27. The expansion aligns with domestic manufacturing growth under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

thyssenkrupp nucera wins FEED contract for 260 MW hydrogen project

thyssenkrupp nucera has secured a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract for a 260 MW green hydrogen project in India. The project is being developed by Juno Joule Green Energy Private Limited and SELECT Energy GmbH. The scope includes integration of alkaline water electrolysis systems. A Final Investment Decision is targeted in FY2026-27.

SJVN’s 1,000 MW Bikaner solar project crosses 1 BU generation

SJVN Limited’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project has crossed 1 billion units of generation on March 20, 2026. The project achieved the milestone within three months of its commercial operation date on December 24, 2025. It is expected to generate 56 billion units over 25 years. The tariff is Rs 2.57 per unit.

Patel Engineering wins Rs 910 crore Renukaji Dam package

Patel Engineering Limited has received a Rs 910.08 crore contract from Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) for the Renukaji Dam Project. The scope includes construction of three diversion tunnels and associated infrastructure. The project has a completion timeline of 30 months. The dam is located in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.

ACME commissions additional 4 MW at Gujarat wind project

ACME Eco Clean Energy Private Limited has commissioned an additional 4 MW at its 100 MW wind project in Gujarat, taking total commissioned capacity to 88 MW. The update follows its March 17, 2026 disclosure of 84 MW. The project is being developed in phases since October 2025. The remaining 12 MW is yet to be commissioned.

CERC notifies February 2026 coal escalation rates

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has notified coal escalation rates for February 2026 under competitively bid PPAs. Rates include 0.62% for imported coal, 4.27% for transportation, and 0.57% for inland handling. The notification was issued under Clause 5.6(vi) of the January 19, 2005 tariff guidelines. It was published in the Gazette of India on March 16, 2026.

SJVN appoints Parthajit De as Director (Finance)

SJVN Limited has appointed Parthajit De as Whole-time Director (Finance) effective March 19, 2026 for a five-year term. He joins from NHPC Limited with over 27 years of experience. He has handled corporate accounts, taxation, and Ind AS implementation. Sipan Kumar Garg has relinquished additional charge as Director (Finance) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

TPCL tops service ratings but ranks 40th overall in DISCOM index

The Tata Power Company Limited (TPCL) ranked first in consumer service ratings with a score of 97.1 but placed 40th overall in the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR). The gap is due to non-participation in the Annual Integrated Rating (IR), which carries a 35% weight. TPCL scored 63.1 overall despite strong operational metrics. The case highlights structural issues in the ranking framework.