Power Sector News Roundup for March 23, 2026

CEA outlines transmission roadmap for 900 GW non-fossil capacity by 2035-36

The Central Electricity Authority released a transmission plan to support over 900 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035-36. It estimates an investment of Rs. 7,93,300 crores for 1,37,500 circuit-kilometres of lines and 8,27,600 MVA of substation capacity between 2026-27 and 2035-36. The plan includes a buffer of about 115 GW above projected generation needs to account for delays. It flags risks of congestion and curtailment if transmission lags renewable energy expansion.

India launches carbon market portal; trading to begin within four months

India has launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, with trading in carbon certificates expected to begin within four months. The platform, unveiled on March 21, 2026, will serve as the central interface for administering the carbon market framework. Entities will be required to register before participating in transactions. Details on sector coverage, credit verification, and the regulatory authority are yet to be specified.

India to require Rs 200 lakh crore power sector investment by 2047

India’s power sector will require an investment of approximately Rs 200 lakh crore over the next two decades, Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal said at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The Ministry of Power also released a transmission blueprint targeting 1,37,500 circuit kilometres of new lines and 8,27,600 MVA of substation capacity, with an estimated outlay of Rs 7.93 lakh crore. This is aimed at integrating over 900 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035-36. The country has already achieved 50% cumulative non-fossil electric capacity ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution timeline.

Tata Power to restart 4 GW Mundra plant after Gujarat PPA approval

Tata Power will restart its Mundra thermal power plant after the Gujarat cabinet approved a Supplementary Power Purchase Agreement. The 4 GW imported coal-based plant had remained shut for around nine months due to coal cost recovery issues. The revised agreement allows fuel costs to be treated as a pass-through, removing the key constraint on operations. The plant is expected to resume generation ahead of peak summer demand.

India may generate 600,000 tonnes of solar panel waste by 2030

India could generate around 600,000 tonnes of solar photovoltaic panel waste by 2030, according to estimates by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water. The government has initiated measures including a Rs 1,500 crore recycling incentive scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission. Solar panels are already covered under the E-Waste Management Rules 2022, with an Extended Producer Responsibility portal in place. The rapid rise in solar capacity is expected to accelerate end-of-life waste volumes within this decade.

Six firms qualify for NERGS-III Siang Basin transmission project

PFC Consulting Limited has qualified six bidders for the NERGS-III Siang Basin Independent Transmission Project. The project will evacuate power from the Heo (3×80 MW) and Tato I (3×62 MW) hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh. It will also support an estimated 5,600 MW of future hydropower capacity in the Siang sub-basin by 2035. The project cost is estimated at Rs 1,804 crore, with commissioning targeted by February 2029.

CESC awards 600 MW wind-solar hybrid capacity

CESC Limited has awarded 600 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity through tariff-based competitive bidding. Purvah Green Power Private Limited secured 300 MW at Rs. 3.75/kWh, while three other developers received 100 MW each. Tariffs ranged between Rs. 3.74 and Rs. 3.75 per kWh. The projects carry a tenure of 25 years and aim to improve generation stability through hybridisation.

GUVNL awards 625 MWp solar capacity at Rs 2.34 per unit

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited has awarded 625 MWp of solar capacity at a tariff of Rs 2.34 per unit. Welspun Renewable Energy and NLC India Limited secured 300 MW each. The tariff is lower than previous auctions, which had closed above Rs 2.55 per unit. Developers are required to source modules and cells from MNRE’s ALMM List-I and List-II, respectively.

Sorigin RE Services wins 250 MW / 500 MWh BESS EPC order in Rajasthan

Sorigin RE Services has secured a 250 MW / 500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system contract in Rajasthan. The project includes two installations of 125 MW / 250 MWh each at Giral and Suratgarh. The company will execute full EPC scope, including design, supply, and commissioning. The project supports grid stability and renewable integration.

ABCI Infrastructures wins West Bengal’s first standalone BESS project

ABCI Infrastructures Private Limited has won a 40 MW/80 MWh standalone BESS project at New Cossipore Generating Station in Kolkata. The project will operate under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model with a 12-year Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement. It is designed for up to two charge-discharge cycles per day with 95% minimum availability. Commissioning is targeted within 18 months.

Sunsure Energy to supply solar power to JAKSON’s Noida facilities

Sunsure Energy has signed a 4.7 MWp PPA with JAKSON Engineering Limited to supply 7.28 million units annually. The supply will meet around 80% of the Noida office’s energy needs and up to 40% at the Greater Noida plant. The deal follows Sunsure’s Rs 606 crore debt raise supporting over 242 MWp of capacity. The agreement is part of its “UP Shakti” initiative targeting industrial decarbonisation in Uttar Pradesh.

Vikram Solar appoints Sameer Nagpal as CEO amid expansion push

Vikram Solar Limited has appointed Sameer Nagpal as CEO effective March 20, 2026. The company is targeting 15.5 GW of module capacity and 12 GW of cell capacity, along with entry into energy storage. Krishna Kumar Maskara has been redesignated as Whole-Time Director and COO. The company currently operates 9.5 GW of manufacturing capacity.

Waaree reshuffles top leadership, appoints new CEO and CFO

Waaree Energies Limited has replaced its CEO and CFO, with Jignesh Devchandbhai Rathod taking over as CEO from March 21, 2026. Abhishek Pareek has been appointed CFO, succeeding Sonal Shrivastava. The company also named Munna Singh as Deputy CFO and Varun Goenka as President — Growth and Strategy. The leadership changes are effective between March 21 and April 1, 2026.

Cliantech secures repeat order from IB Solar for 1.2 GW module line

Cliantech Solutions has secured a repeat order from IB Solar to set up a 1.2 GW module manufacturing line. This follows an earlier 600 MW installation, taking total capacity delivered to 1.8 GW. The facility will produce M10 TOPCon, M10R, and G12R modules. Commissioning is expected by May 2026.

Patel Engineering wins Rs 230.7 crore Bhutan hydro project package

Patel Engineering Limited has received a Rs 230.70 crore contract for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project in Bhutan. The scope includes diversion tunnels, adits, and hydromechanical works. The construction period is 300 days. The project is being developed under a public-private partnership model.

Sharika Enterprises wins Rs 9.5 crore FPI order for RDSS Varanasi project

Sharika Enterprises Limited has secured a Rs 9.47 crore order from Larsen and Toubro Limited for communicable Fault Passage Indicators. The order is part of the RDSS Varanasi SCADA project under Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited. Execution is scheduled by December 31, 2026. The equipment will support fault detection and faster restoration in distribution networks.

Orient Green commissions 6.6 MW wind capacity in Tamil Nadu

Orient Green Power Company Limited has commissioned 6.6 MW of wind capacity in Tiruchirappalli district. The project includes two 3.3 MW turbines, with the remaining 3.3 MW under progress. The units received service connection on March 20, 2026. The project is being executed under an EPC contract with Renfra Energy India Limited.

Solarium Green secures Rs 22.51 crore TOPCon module orders

Solarium Green Energy Limited has secured orders worth Rs 22.51 crore for TOPCon solar modules across multiple states. The orders include BIS-certified bifacial panels and Non-DCR modules. Deliveries are scheduled in phases, with part supply within seven days and completion by mid-May 2026. The modules carry up to 30-year performance warranties.