Power Sector News Roundup for June 18, 2026
Waaree Renewable raises 980 MWp solar EPC order value to Rs 1,045 crore
Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited (WRTL) has received a scope enhancement worth Rs 30.91 crore under an existing EPC contract for a 980 MWp / 700 MWac solar power plant. The revision increases the total contract value to Rs 1,044.69 crore, inclusive of taxes. The additional work was awarded by a domestic renewable energy company, with execution timelines to be decided mutually. This is the second disclosed enhancement to the project since the original Letter of Award was issued in February 2024.
Haridwar to get Rs 32 crore transmission upgrade
The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has approved a Rs 31.54 crore project to strengthen Haridwar’s electricity network ahead of Kumbh Mela 2027. The project involves replacing ageing conductors on the 132 kV SIDCUL–Jwalapur Circuit-I and 132 kV Jwalapur–Roorkee transmission lines with High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductors. UERC noted that the two lines are already operating at 94% and 96% loading levels. The project is expected to improve reliability and is scheduled for completion within 12 months.
Siemens Energy wins 2 GW North Sea offshore grid connection project
Siemens Energy has won a contract from 50Hertz to deliver the North Sea Connector 2 offshore grid connection project for offshore wind farms in the North Sea. The company will partner with Neptun Smulders Offshore Renewables (NSORe) to build the offshore converter platform. Siemens Energy will supply transformers, converters and SF₆-free gas-insulated switchgear, with about 95% of the project scope delivered from German facilities. The platform will be installed around 200 km west of Sylt and forms part of Germany’s offshore wind expansion plans.
UERC proposes ancillary services framework to strengthen Uttarakhand grid
UERC has released draft regulations proposing a framework for ancillary services to support grid stability in Uttarakhand. The framework includes Primary Reserve, Secondary Reserve and Tertiary Reserve mechanisms to manage frequency, voltage and system reliability. Participation would be open to generating stations, energy storage systems and eligible demand response providers. The State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) would oversee reserve forecasting, scheduling and performance monitoring.
CERC warns transmission utilities against creating false expectations with developers
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted partial relief to Waaree Forever Energies Private Limited regarding its 700 MW solar project in Maharashtra. CERC criticised the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) for delays in issuing final connectivity approval and for creating “false expectation” regarding a possible extension. While rejecting the request to extend the connectivity start date, the Commission allowed additional time for financial closure documentation for the first 300 MW phase. CERC directed CTUIL to follow regulatory timelines strictly.
APERC clarifies rules for transfer of grid connectivity in Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has clarified the framework governing transfers of connectivity to the state transmission system. The Commission stated that connectivity rights are project-specific and cannot be freely transferred. APTRANSCO has been directed to examine requests on a case-by-case basis, irrespective of project capacity. APERC also allowed consideration of connectivity transfers for operational projects subject to consent from the original connectivity holder.
India curtailed 2.1 TWh of renewable energy in FY26: Ember
India curtailed 2.1 TWh of renewable electricity during FY 2025-26, resulting in an estimated Rs 629 crore in foregone revenue, according to Ember. The report attributes the curtailment primarily to coal-fired power plants reaching their minimum technical operating levels during periods of high solar generation. More than 7 GW of renewable generation was curtailed on March 21, 2026 despite no transmission congestion. Ember identified battery energy storage as a key solution and estimated that 10 GWh of storage could have absorbed most curtailed generation during peak periods.
Noida to Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh to get public EV charging network in 10 major cities
The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has invited bids for 238 public EV charging stations across 10 cities under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The stations will be developed in locations including Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Charging tariffs will include the electricity tariff, a Rs 1 per unit land-use charge and an operator service charge. Successful bidders must commission the stations within 150 days of receiving site possession.
Kosol Energie commissions 31 MW solar project in Gujarat
Kosol Energie Pvt. Ltd. has commissioned a 31 MW (DC) ground-mounted solar PV project in Junachay village, Kutch district, Gujarat for Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL). The project was executed between October 2022 and March 2026 under Gujarat’s Renewable Energy Policy and Green Energy Mission. The plant uses 550 Wp bifacial solar modules and a single-axis tracker mounting system to improve energy generation. Kosol stated that it is currently executing several large solar projects, including a 250 MW project for NLC India Limited and a 145 MW project for Coal India Limited.