Power Sector News Roundup for May 20, 2026
India’s peak power demand hits record 260.5 GW amid summer surge
India’s peak power demand reached a record 260.5 GW on May 20, 2026, surpassing the previous high of 257.4 GW recorded a day earlier. The highest demand of 260,297 MW was recorded at 3:46 PM and was fully met without shortages. Solar generation peaked at 77,162 MW during the day, while thermal generation ramped up sharply during evening hours as solar output declined, highlighting the growing need for battery energy storage systems (BESS), pumped hydro storage, and flexible generation resources to manage grid stability.
Maharashtra signs MoUs for 25,400 MW nuclear capacity with Rs 6.5 lakh crore investment
The Maharashtra government signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with NTPC Limited, Adani Power, Reliance Industries Limited, and Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited for development of 25,400 MW of nuclear power capacity involving proposed investment of Rs 6.5 lakh crore. The projects include large nuclear plants, Bharat Small Reactors, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), adding to Maharashtra’s existing nuclear expansion plans including the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
CEA proposes major updates to transmission planning norms
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) issued draft Amendment-II to the Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023, proposing provisions for 1150 kV alternating current (AC) transmission systems, revised voltage and contingency norms, and expanded renewable integration models. The draft also classifies data centres as “critical loads” requiring supply redundancy and introduces new technical models for battery energy storage systems (BESS), voltage source converter (VSC)-based HVDC systems, wind, solar, and grid-forming converters.
ReNew Energy posts higher FY26 profit despite weaker Q4 earnings
ReNew Energy Global Plc reported net profit of Rs 1,038.5 crore in FY26 compared to Rs 459.1 crore in FY25, while total income rose 38% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 15,063.5 crore. However, Q4 FY26 net profit declined to Rs 777 crore from Rs 3,137 crore a year earlier. The company’s total portfolio reached around 20 GW, including 1.7 GW/6.2 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS), while its manufacturing business recorded strong growth in solar module and cell sales.
Sunstream Green secures Rs 700 crore refinancing for 250 MW solar portfolio
Sunstream Green Energy secured Rs 7 billion, or around Rs 700 crore, in refinancing from State Bank of India (SBI) for a solar portfolio exceeding 250 MW across 17 sites in Maharashtra. The refinancing is expected to reduce interest costs by nearly 125 basis points after operational stabilisation of the assets. The company currently has a 1 GW renewable energy pipeline and plans to expand into battery energy storage systems (BESS) and wind energy.
TARIL wins Rs 175 crore order for Rajasthan GIS projects
Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited (TARIL) secured a domestic order worth Rs 175 crore from Bhanwariya Infra Projects Private Limited for supply of four transformers and five reactors. The equipment will be deployed in two 400/220 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) projects at Kumber, Bharatpur, and Amber, Jaipur in Rajasthan under Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RRVPNL), with delivery scheduled by March 2028.
GameChange Solar partners with First Solar for India-made modules
GameChange Solar entered into a strategic partnership with First Solar, Inc. to support deployment of domestically manufactured thin-film solar modules in India. The companies said two utility-scale projects using First Solar’s modules on GameChange Solar’s Genius Tracker™ systems have achieved nearly 99.8% uptime over more than a year of operation. The collaboration is aligned with India’s domestic manufacturing requirements under frameworks such as the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and Approved List of Cell Manufacturers (ALCM).