Power Sector News Roundup for July 6, 2026
Coal India, UPRVUNL sign JV agreement for renewable energy projects
Coal India Limited (CIL) and U.P. Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop renewable energy projects in Uttar Pradesh. The agreement was executed on July 3, 2026, and disclosed through a regulatory filing on July 5, 2026. Details of the planned project capacity, investment and implementation timeline have not been disclosed. The JV expands CIL’s renewable energy portfolio, following its recent Letter of Award from Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited (BSUL) for a 600 MW (2×300 MW) solar project at Jalaun Solar Power Park.
Why India’s thermal power projects continue to face delays
India’s thermal power projects continue to face delays due to equipment supply constraints, contractor performance, land acquisition, regulatory approvals, fuel logistics and litigation, according to the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) latest Broad Status Report. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been cited for delayed supply of critical components across several NTPC projects, while contractor and financing issues have affected projects such as Ghatampur, Ennore Expansion and Uppur STPP. Land acquisition, forest clearances and environmental approvals remain major hurdles for projects including Darlipalli STPP Stage-II and Korba West. The report also highlights operational bottlenecks, coal shortages and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on project execution.
Maharashtra awards Rs 825 crore contracts for 35,000 solar water pumps
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has awarded contracts worth Rs 825.73 crore, including GST, for the supply and installation of 35,000 off-grid Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems (SPWPS) under the PM Kusum-B ‘Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana’. GK Energy Limited received an order for 10,000 systems worth Rs 235.92 crore, Shakti Pumps (India) Limited secured 15,000 systems valued at approximately Rs 353.89 crore, and Oswal Pumps Limited received another order for 10,000 systems worth approximately Rs 235.92 crore. The projects cover 3 HP, 5 HP and 7.5 HP systems and must be completed within 60 days from the Work Order or Notice to Proceed. Oswal Pumps’ contract also includes a five-year warranty, repair and maintenance services, and Remote Monitoring System support.
PM inaugurates 1,300 MW NHPC and SJVN solar projects in Rajasthan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated NHPC Limited’s 300 MW Karnisar Solar Power Plant and SJVN Limited’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project on July 4, 2026. NHPC’s project uses approximately 7.75 lakh domestically manufactured Solar PV Cells and Modules and is expected to generate around 75 crore units annually. SJVN’s project, developed through SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), has an investment of approximately Rs 5,492 crore and will supply power to Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. Together, the projects add 1,300 MW of renewable energy capacity in Rajasthan.
Accord Transformer acquires land for manufacturing expansion
Accord Transformer & Switchgear Limited has acquired a 20,300 sq m land parcel at Village Shekhupr Aheer, Tehsil Tijara, District Khairthal-Tijara, Rajasthan for approximately Rs 10.67 crore. The acquisition includes Rs 8.85 crore for the land and Rs 1.82 crore towards stamp duty and commission, with the sale deed expected by July 7, 2026. The land will support expansion of manufacturing facilities, warehousing, testing infrastructure and allied business activities. The site is located near the company’s existing manufacturing facilities in Bhiwadi.
Diamond Power bags Rs 435 crore cable order for Hyderabad data centres
Diamond Power Infrastructure Limited (DICABS) has secured a Rs 435.71 crore order, excluding GST, from a consortium comprising Larsen & Toubro, Sterling and Wilson, and Blue Star. The contract covers the supply of High Tension and Low Tension power cables for the 310 MW HYD22 to HYD26 data centre projects in Hyderabad. Deliveries of approximately 21.35 lakh metres of cables will take place between August 2026 and March 2027. The order follows the IEEMA PV formula on a variable price basis.
UPERC retains FY27 power tariffs, raises subsidy and expands EV benefits
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved electricity tariffs for FY 2026-27 without any increase for the state’s five distribution companies. The Commission increased the state’s electricity subsidy to Rs 20,400 crore from Rs 17,100 crore in FY 2025-26 while retaining the green energy tariff. It also expanded LMV-11 benefits to Battery Charging Stations, Battery Swapping Stations and Battery as a Service providers, introduced a 20% Time of Day discount for EV charging between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and approved standalone tariffs for the New Integrated Data Centre Park. UPERC also issued directions on smart metering, prepaid meter reconnection and consumer services.
Gujarat revises power transmission land compensation policy
The Gujarat government has revised its Right of Way compensation policy for power transmission projects by replacing the Jantri-based compensation system with one linked to prevailing market values. Compensation for land affected by transmission lines will now be calculated at 200% of the prevailing market value determined by a Market Rate Committee. The policy also increases the compensable tower area, introduces upfront payment before construction begins, and applies to projects already under execution. Rural, municipal and municipal corporation areas will receive corridor compensation at 30%, 45% and 60% of market value respectively.
PM Modi lays foundation, inaugurates Rajasthan transmission projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Phase-IV transmission project and inaugurated the Rajasthan REZ Phase-III transmission project. Together, the two projects are valued at over Rs 4,645 crore and are designed to strengthen renewable power evacuation. The Phase-IV project includes 527 ckm of transmission lines and 5,500 MVA substation capacity for 5.5 GW of renewable energy. The Phase-III project comprises 606.6 ckm of transmission lines.
Two firms in race for NHPC’s Salal hydro project
NHPC Limited has opened financial bids for the civil and hydro-mechanical works package for restoring the undersluices of the Salal Power Station dam in Jammu & Kashmir. Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd. (HCC) emerged as the lowest bidder with a quote of Rs 524.18 crore, including taxes, while Patel Engineering Limited quoted Rs 542.00 crore. The contract covers civil and hydro-mechanical works along with ancillary activities. Salal Power Station is a 690 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River.
Tata Motors, Welspun Renewable to develop 86 MW hybrid RE project
Tata Motors Limited and Welspun Renewable Energy Private Limited will jointly develop an 86 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project through a co-investment model and a long-term Power Purchase Agreement. The project will supply clean power to Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle manufacturing plants in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. The company said the project supports its RE100 commitment and aims to reduce manufacturing emissions. The partnership combines wind and solar generation to provide a reliable renewable energy supply.
Power Ministry proposes credit trading under CAFE norms for automakers
The Ministry of Power has issued a draft notification proposing a credit-based compliance mechanism under India’s Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms. Manufacturers exceeding fleet-average fuel consumption targets will earn tradable credits, while those falling short will accumulate debits measured in grams of CO₂ per kilometre. Credits can be traded, banked during FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27, or purchased from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency at Rs 2,500 per g CO₂/km. Stakeholders have been invited to submit objections and suggestions within 14 days.
What two-year exemption for Chinese power firms means for domestic manufacturers
The Department of Expenditure has granted a two-year exemption from public procurement restrictions to four Indian subsidiaries of Chinese electrical equipment manufacturers. The exemption applies to TBEA Energy India Pvt. Ltd., Nanjing Electric India Pvt. Ltd., New Northeast Electric India Pvt. Ltd., and Taikai Electric (India) Pvt. Ltd., allowing them to participate in Central government procurement without registration under the Public Procurement Order. The decision was approved following recommendations from the Registration Committee and the Ministry of Power. The exemption is effective from June 24, 2026.
Rooftop solar projects on government buildings get ALMM List-II exemption
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has clarified the applicability of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells used in rooftop solar projects on government buildings. Projects awarded through bidding with the last date of bid submission on or before December 9, 2024, and certain other categories remain exempt from ALMM List-II requirements. Net-metering and open access projects commissioned before June 1, 2026, are also exempt. Projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026, without approved exemptions must comply with ALMM List-II.
CEA issues advisory to DISCOMs to reduce summer load shedding
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued a nationwide advisory asking distribution companies to strengthen summer preparedness and improve distribution system reliability. The advisory recommends annual load assessments, preventive maintenance, better demand forecasting using smart meter data, emergency response teams and deployment of Outage Management Systems integrated with GIS, SCADA and AMI. It also calls for improved monitoring of reliability indicators and expanded consumer grievance mechanisms. The CEA said most summer load shedding can be avoided through timely planning and network augmentation.
Koraam to supply 1,200 solar pump mounting structures in Maharashtra
Koraam, powered by Kosol Energie Pvt. Ltd., has secured a 5.8 MW order from Sandip Electronics and Automation (SEA) to supply more than 1,200 Module Mounting Structures for solar water pumping systems in Maharashtra. The structures are designed for 3 HP, 5 HP and 7.5 HP pumping applications and will be manufactured using High Definition Galvanized Iron and pre-galvanized steel. According to the company, the structures comply with IS 2911 standards and are designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 kmph. The project supports solar irrigation deployment under the PM-KUSUM programme.