Power Sector News Roundup for May 22, 2026
Declared capacity is strict obligation, not target: Supreme Court rules against power generator
The Supreme Court of India has restored a penalty of over Rs 162 crore imposed on Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) for failing to demonstrate its declared generation capacity on four occasions in January 2017. The Court set aside an earlier order of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) and upheld the findings of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC). A bench led by Justice K. Vinod Chandran ruled that demonstrating declared capacity under the Punjab State Grid Code is a “strict liability” obligation and does not require proof of malicious intent or unlawful gain. The Court held that failure to demonstrate declared capacity within four time-blocks attracts penalties regardless of intent and allowed Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to continue adjustment of pending amounts under protest.
NTPC’s Talcher plant set for Stage-IV expansion with ultra-supercritical unit
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Thermal Projects has recommended grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for NTPC Limited’s proposed 1×800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power unit at Talcher in Odisha’s Angul district. The Stage-IV expansion will increase the installed capacity of the Talcher Thermal Power Project (TTPP) from 1,320 MW to 2,120 MW at an estimated cost of Rs 11,678.04 crore. The proposed unit will be developed within the existing plant premises, while coal linkage for the new unit is yet to be allocated. The EAC imposed multiple conditions including flood plain certification, hydrological studies, biodiversity assessment, carbon emission planning and renewable energy integration. NTPC has also proposed a 142.72 hectare greenbelt covering 33% of the project area with plantation of around 3,56,800 saplings.
Vikran Engineering closes Rs 49 crore Onix loan, acquires NOPL Solar
Vikran Engineering Limited has closed a Rs 49.15 crore loan arrangement extended to Onix Renewable Limited following execution of a Composite Amendment and Supplement Agreement on May 20, 2026. Out of the total outstanding amount, Rs 10 crore has been adjusted towards acquisition consideration for NOPL Solar Projects Private Limited, while the remaining Rs 39.15 crore has been converted into working capital contribution in the form of an unsecured loan to the company. Vikran Engineering also completed acquisition of a 51% equity stake in NOPL Solar Projects for Rs 5.10 crore, increasing its total holding from 49% to 100%. NOPL Solar Projects is developing a 969 MW (AC) grid-connected solar power project under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme in Maharashtra.
Marsons secures US solar transformer order worth Rs 298.5 million
Marsons Limited has secured a Letter of Award and Purchase Order worth Rs 298.5 million (approximately USD 3.1 million) from a US-based solar energy developer for supply of a 200 MVA, 115 kV power transformer. The transformer will be deployed at a solar power project in Cherokee County, Alabama, United States. The company stated that execution of the export order is expected to take more than 12 months and clarified that the transaction is not a related party transaction. Marsons manufactures distribution, high voltage and Extra High Voltage (EHV) transformers and is developing a manufacturing facility for 315 MVA, 400 kV class transformers.
CERC approves standardised TAM time slots for power exchanges
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved pre-specified time slots for contracts traded in the Term Ahead Market (TAM), Green Term Ahead Market (G-TAM), and High Price Term Ahead Market (HP-TAM) on power exchanges. The Commission adopted a national framework based on solar and non-solar hours instead of region-specific peak and off-peak slots. Approved contract categories include Round-the-Clock (RTC), Solar, Morning, Day, Non-Solar, Evening and Night contracts with fixed delivery windows. CERC accepted Grid India’s recommendation that region-wise slots would fragment liquidity and weaken price discovery. Power exchanges have been directed to implement the revised slot structure within one week and amend their operational procedures accordingly.
SPML Infra wins Rs 165.4 crore RRVPNL transmission project in Rajasthan
SPML Infra Limited has secured a Rs 165.41 crore contract from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RRVPNL) for the construction of a 400 kV grid substation and transmission infrastructure at Dahra in Kota, Rajasthan. The project, scheduled for completion within 24 months, includes the supply, erection, testing and commissioning of a 400 kV grid substation with one 500 MVA autotransformer bay, a 420 kV 1×125 MVAR bus-type shunt reactor bay, two 400 kV feeder bays, three 400 kV tie bays, and associated civil works, automation and communication systems. The order strengthens SPML Infra’s position in the high-voltage transmission segment and complements its growing battery energy storage system (BESS) business.
TARIL secures Rs 228.3 crore GETCO transformer order
Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited (TARIL) has secured a Rs 228.26 crore order from Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) for the manufacturing and supply of six transformers and two reactors along with related works. The contract is scheduled for execution by August 2028 and adds to TARIL’s presence in India’s power transmission and energy infrastructure segment. The company said the order reflects continued traction in utility-scale projects as India expands and modernises its transmission network under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.