Power Sector News Roundup for May 19, 2026
What is changing in India’s transmission landscape
India’s transmission sector is witnessing a structural shift as private transmission service providers expand their presence in the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) market, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data comparing April 2025 and April 2026. The value of under-construction private sector transmission projects increased by nearly Rs 22,000 crore to over Rs 1.12 lakh crore, while Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s (PowerGrid) under-construction portfolio declined by about Rs 2,900 crore to Rs 1.22 lakh crore. Private players also added more than 30,000 MVA of substation capacity to their pipeline, while PowerGrid’s transformation capacity declined by nearly 24,000 MVA. Adani Transmission emerged as the largest private challenger with an under-construction portfolio exceeding Rs 70,000 crore, including the Rajasthan 20 GW Phase III Part I project, an 800 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) bipole valued at over Rs 22,000 crore. New entrants such as Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd (DRAIPL), Shivalaya Construction Limited (SCL), and HGIEL also secured major projects, while established private developers including Sterlite Power, IndiGrid, GR Infra, and Tata Power maintained active pipelines. Despite the shift in project awards, PowerGrid remained the dominant executor during FY26, commissioning 10 of the 16 major TBCB projects completed during the year and maintaining system availability of 99.84%.
GE Vernova T&D India posts record FY26 orders, approves Vallam facility
GE Vernova T&D India Limited reported record order bookings and strong growth in revenue and profitability for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026. FY26 revenue increased 45% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 62.1 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) rose 103% YoY to Rs 12.3 billion. Order bookings for FY26 reached Rs 147.8 billion, compared to Rs 107.8 billion in the previous year. The Board approved an investment of Rs 550 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in Vallam, Tamil Nadu, for disconnectors and drives for 362 kV Dead Tank Circuit Breakers, with first production tentatively scheduled for December 2026. The company also secured major orders during FY26, including High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) infrastructure, 765 kV transformers and reactors, Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), and export orders across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
NTPC crosses 90 GW installed capacity with Patratu Unit-2 trial completion
NTPC Limited announced the successful completion of the trial run operation of Unit-2 (800 MW) at Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL), taking the NTPC group’s installed capacity to 90,668 MW. The unit is part of the Patratu Super Thermal Power Plant (STPP) in Jharkhand, where Unit-1 (800 MW) had achieved commercial operation on November 5, 2025. Phase I of the project comprises three units of 800 MW each, totalling 2,400 MW, under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) valued at Rs 18,668 crore. Commercial operation declaration for Unit-2 is expected after regulatory approvals, while Unit-3 is anticipated to reach trial run by February 2027. Approximately 85% of the project’s power will be allocated to Jharkhand.
Adani Group plans Rs 27,000 crore thermal power investment in Bihar
Adani Group announced plans to invest around Rs 27,000 crore in a 2,400 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. The project, being developed by Adani Power Limited, will comprise three units of 800 MW each across 479 hectares allotted by Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited. In March 2026, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Thermal Projects recommended environmental clearance for the project. Separately, Adani Energy Solutions Limited is deploying nearly 3 million smart meters across north Bihar. The group also indicated plans to invest between Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 60,000 crore in Bihar over the next three to four years across infrastructure sectors.
Bondada secures Rs 470 crore solar BOS orders from Adani Group
Bondada Engineering Limited secured multiple orders aggregating to Rs 469.52 crore from the Adani Group for Balance of System (BOS) packages related to a 250 MW solar power project at Khavda in Kutch, Gujarat. The contracts were awarded by Adani Green Energy Ltd and Adani Green Energy Six Limited under the Khavda renewable energy development programme. Following the latest award, Bondada Engineering’s cumulative executed capacity for the Adani Group reached 975 MW. The company stated that the contracts are domestic in nature and do not involve related party transactions. The latest award follows additional BOS package orders worth Rs 125.30 crore received in April 2026 for a separate 75 MW solar project at Khavda.
Can BESS be added to operational solar projects? UPERC examines
Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) admitted a petition filed by Fourth Partner Energy Private Limited and affiliated companies seeking regulatory clarity on adding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) behind the meter at already commissioned renewable energy generating stations (REGS). The petition highlighted gaps in existing connectivity, open access, scheduling, and certification regulations for retrofitting storage systems into operational solar projects. Petitioners stated that current regulations only address BESS integration during the initial project development stage and not after commissioning. The matter also raises questions on whether a fresh Chief Electrical Inspector to Government (CEIG) certificate would be required for such modifications. UPERC directed Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Company Limited, and Uttar Pradesh State Load Despatch Centre to file replies within four weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for July 14, 2026.
EFC clears central scheme for floating solar projects with BESS support
The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) under the Ministry of Finance approved a central scheme to support floating solar projects integrated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), according to multiple media reports. Reported approved outlays vary between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 5,500 crore against proposals submitted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The proposal will now move to the Union Cabinet for final approval, while detailed implementation guidelines are awaited. The scheme is intended to promote floating solar deployment on lakes, dams, and reservoirs while integrating storage systems to manage renewable intermittency and support peak demand supply. India currently has 35.8 GWh of BESS capacity under construction, while more than 58 GWh of BESS tenders were floated during 2025.
Solex Energy FY26 income jumps 144% to Rs 1,621 crore amid expansion push
Solex Energy Limited reported total income of Rs 1,621.1 crore for FY26, up 143.9% year-on-year from Rs 664.8 crore in FY25. Profit After Tax (PAT) increased 132.7% YoY to Rs 98.3 crore, while EBITDA rose 134.6% YoY to Rs 186.7 crore. The company stated that domestic solar module prices could rise from Rs 13-14 per watt peak to around Rs 16 per watt peak due to global trade disruptions, logistics costs, rupee volatility, and domestic solar cell supply constraints. Solex Energy also signed a Rs 4,000 crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government to establish solar cell and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) manufacturing facilities. The proposed expansion includes 5 GW solar cell manufacturing capacity and 10 GW BESS manufacturing capacity, with the first 2 GW phase expected to become operational by December 2027.
IndiGrid, AmpereHour commission 360 MWh BESS in Gujarat
AmpereHour Energy and IndiGrid commissioned a 180 MW / 360 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at a Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) substation in Gujarat. With Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) as the off-taker, the project is among the largest standalone utility-scale BESS installations in India and Asia. The project is designed to store excess renewable energy during off-peak periods and supply electricity during high-demand hours to support grid stability and renewable integration. AmpereHour stated that the project incorporated simulation studies across the complete electrical chain, from the 220 kV grid connection to the direct current (DC) systems, to improve Round Trip Efficiency (RTE) and usable energy. The system also uses AmpereHour’s ELINA Energy Management System (EMS) and AH Suite platform for operational coordination and data integration.