Power Sector News Roundup for July 17, 2026
Assam’s 750 MW solar project withdrawal renders transmission scheme infructuous
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has disposed of the transmission licence petition for the North Eastern Region Generation Scheme-I (NERGS-I) after Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) withdrew its proposed 750 MW solar project at Bokajan. The transmission scheme, awarded to Techno Electric & Engineering Company Limited at a transmission charge of Rs 303.68 million, became infructuous following the withdrawal of Government of India funding through the Asian Development Bank (ADB). CERC declined to consider compensation claims of around Rs 28.5 crore towards actual expenditure and Rs 40.84 crore as loss of opportunity, while allowing the company to pursue separate proceedings.
APTEL slams APERC’s “cryptic” order in Green Infra wind dispute
The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has termed an Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) order as “cryptic and sans any reasons” in a dispute involving Green Infra Wind Solutions Limited. The case relates to a February 18, 2017 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) and claims of around Rs 59.93 crore in unpaid dues. APTEL has asked parties to explain why the matter should not be remanded to APERC and scheduled the next hearing for August 5, 2026.
APTEL says trader can’t be blamed for generator’s short-supply “gaming”
APTEL has partially set aside a Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) order that imposed liabilities exceeding Rs 4.88 crore on Tata Power Trading Company Limited over short-supply under a 2013 PPA. The Tribunal upheld only Rs 2.02 crore in liquidated damages while setting aside liabilities relating to Unscheduled Interchange Charges, “gaming” penalties and open access charges. It also directed that excess recoveries be refunded with carrying cost and remanded the matter to KERC for consequential directions.
MHI launches tender for 10 GWh grid-scale ACC manufacturing capacity
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) for 10 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing capacity dedicated to Grid-Scale Stationary Storage Systems. Tender documents were released on July 15, 2026, with bids due by October 13, 2026. The capacity represents the final tranche under the Rs 181 billion Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for ACC Battery Storage.
AERC proposes Supply Code amendment for 33 kV power supply
The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has proposed amendments to allow consumers with connected loads of 10,000 kVA to 20,000 kVA to receive power at 33 kV through dedicated feeders without the usual 3% surcharge. The exemption would apply only to consumers that do not avail Open Access. Comments on the draft amendment have been invited until July 24, 2026.
Bihar waives net-metering charges for PM Surya Ghar consumers
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved the waiver of application fees and meter testing charges for domestic consumers installing rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The decision follows a joint petition by North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL). BERC said the move would reduce barriers to rooftop solar adoption and aligns with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidance.
New 400 kV line to connect JSW’s Salboni plant by 2028-29
The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) has granted in-principle approval to West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (WBSETCL) for a Rs 332.94 crore transmission scheme linked to JSW Thermal Energy Limited’s Salboni project. The infrastructure will support the 2×800 MW thermal power plant and future expansion up to 3,200 MW. The project is expected to be commissioned during 2028-29.
UPERC adopts tariffs for 110 MW Kanpur solar park projects
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has adopted tariffs for two solar projects totaling 110 MW at Kanpur Dehat and Kanpur Nagar. The approved tariffs are Rs 2.65/kWh for the 75 MW Kanpur Dehat project and Rs 2.71/kWh for the 35 MW Kanpur Nagar project for a period of 25 years. Both projects were awarded to entities promoted by M/s Vedu Infrastructure Private Limited.
Diamond Power secures Rs 185 crore conductor order from Adani Energy
Diamond Power Infrastructure Limited (DPIL) has received a Letter of Award from Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL) valued at approximately Rs 185.16 crore, excluding taxes. The contract covers the supply of aluminium alloy conductors for the Tuticorin and Pune-III transmission projects. Supplies are expected to be completed by February 2027.
GRE Renew Entertech bags Rs 24 crore solar EPC orders
GRE Renew Entertech Limited has secured three solar EPC contracts worth approximately Rs 24 crore during the first half of July 2026. The projects include two installations for Navsurya Renewable Energy Private Limited and one for Dain Colour Chem Ltd. Following the awards, the company’s order book has increased to around Rs 248 crore.
Power Ministry proposes credit trading system under CAFE fuel efficiency norms
The Ministry of Power (MoP) has released draft notifications introducing a credit trading framework under India’s Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) regulations and proposing new standards from April 1, 2027. Manufacturers would be able to trade surplus compliance credits or purchase them from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The proposed buyout price starts at Rs 2,500 per gram of CO₂ per kilometre and rises to Rs 4,500 per g CO₂/km by FY32.
Waaree starts India’s first automated BESS container manufacturing plant
Waaree Energy Storage Solutions Pvt Ltd (Waaree ESS) has commenced operations at what it describes as India’s first advanced automated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) container manufacturing facility. The plant’s capacity has been increased to 5.15 GWh from the originally planned 3.5 GWh. The facility forms the first phase of the company’s broader 20 GWh energy storage manufacturing roadmap.
Servotech wins 900 kW hybrid solar-BESS contract in Uttar Pradesh
Servotech Renewable Power System Limited has secured a contract from the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (UPSRLM) for hybrid solar rooftop systems with Battery Energy Storage Systems across 12 sites. Each installation will have a capacity of 75 kW, taking the total project size to 900 kW. The company will handle design, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
Big buildings over 20,000 sqm may need BEE energy rating soon
The Ministry of Power has proposed mandatory energy ratings for office, commercial and residential buildings with a built-up area of 20,000 square metres or more. Buildings would receive BEE 3 Star, 4 Star or 5 Star ratings based on compliance with the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC). The framework also requires public disclosure of ratings and registration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
NHPC restores full 510 MW capacity at Teesta-V power station
NHPC Limited has restored all three generating units of the 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim. Unit-3 resumed commercial operations on July 16, 2026, following the earlier restoration of Unit-1 and Unit-2 on July 13, 2026. The project had been affected by the October 2023 natural calamity in Sikkim.
NPCIL says Kudankulam leak claims do not involve nuclear systems
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has stated that documents reportedly leaked from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 3 and 4 relate only to conventional Balance of Plant common service facilities. The company said no nuclear safety or security-related systems were involved. Reuters reported that ransomware group World Leaks claimed to have published files allegedly linked to the project.
G R Infraprojects commissions Pachora transmission project in Madhya Pradesh
G R Infraprojects Ltd has commissioned Pachora Power Transmission Limited in Madhya Pradesh to support evacuation of 1,000 MW of renewable energy from the Rajgarh Special Economic Zone. The project was awarded under tariff-based competitive bidding at an annual transmission charge of Rs 419.74 million. It includes augmentation of the Pachora Pooling Station and a new 400 kV transmission line.
Offgrid Energy Labs inaugurates UK facility for ZincGel battery manufacturing
Offgrid Energy Labs has inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom for ZincGel® battery technology. The Hook, Hampshire plant has an initial pilot manufacturing capacity of 10 MWh. The facility marks the company’s first overseas manufacturing expansion and supports deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies.
Coal India commissions 200 MW of Khavda solar project
Coal India Limited has received a commissioning certificate from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency for 200 MW of its 300 MW solar project at Khavda, Gujarat. The certificate is dated July 15, 2026. The remaining 100 MW is expected to be commissioned at a later stage.
REC funds ACME Solar’s 450 MW assured peak power project
ACME Solar Holdings Limited has secured Rs 2,646.64 crore in long-term financing from REC Ltd for its 450 MW/1800 MWh Assured Peak Power Project. The project is backed by a 25-year PPA with SJVN Limited at a tariff of Rs 6.74 per unit. Separately, ACME Suryodaya Private Limited commissioned 110.336 MWh of BESS capacity in Rajasthan, taking its operational capacity to 285 MW / 952.960 MWh.
Rajesh Power Services secures Rs 34 crore utility orders
Rajesh Power Services Limited has received orders worth Rs 34.37 crore, including taxes, from Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited. The contracts cover SCADA readiness, Ring Main Unit maintenance and conversion of a 220 kV transmission line into an underground cable system. The projects are scheduled for completion within nine to 12 months.
BHEL, SWREL, Borosil post strong Q1 FY27 numbers
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd reported new order inflows of Rs 26,745 crore during Q1FY27 and an outstanding order book of Rs 2,60,255 crore as of June 30, 2026. Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited reported an unexecuted order value of approximately Rs 13,000 crore and net profit of Rs 53.27 crore, while Borosil Renewables posted net profit of Rs 86.64 crore against a loss of Rs 203.48 crore in Q1FY26. The results reflect continued activity across power equipment, renewable EPC and solar manufacturing segments.
Waaree Energies receives additional 212 MW international module order
Waaree Energies Limited has secured an incremental order for the supply of 212 MW of solar modules from an existing international customer, according to a regulatory filing dated July 16, 2026. The latest order increases the company’s total contracted capacity with the customer to 562 MW, following an earlier order for 350 MW. The contract will be executed during FY27, although the company has not disclosed the identity of the customer or the financial value of the order.