Power Sector News Roundup for July 21, 2026
Tata Power secures SECI LOA for 324 MW pumped storage project
Tata Power Company Limited has received a Letter of Award (LOA) from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) for providing pumped storage services from a 324 MW / 2,592 MWh pumped storage plant (PSP). The project will supply storage capacity for a period of 40 years under SECI’s procurement framework. The storage capacity is scheduled to become operational within 36 months from the effective date of the PPA. The agreement provides for annual fixed charges of Rs 1.0841826 crore per MW per year, with annual fixed charges estimated at approximately Rs 351.3 crore. The project has an annual cycle loss of 24.61%.
KPI Green Energy secures CEIG approval for 100 MW solar project
KPI Green Energy Limited has received charging permission from the Chief Electrical Inspector (CEIG), Nagpur, for a 100 MW (AC) / 128 MW (DC) grid-connected ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Maharashtra. The project has been developed for Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) on a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis. It is located at Ramthi, Narkhed, in Nagpur district. The approval marks the completion of a key regulatory requirement for grid connectivity and power evacuation. The development expands KPI Green Energy’s utility-scale EPC portfolio in the public-sector renewable energy segment.
NTPC appoints Dr. Som Nath Sachdeva as independent director
NTPC Limited has appointed Dr. Som Nath Sachdeva as an Additional Director in the capacity of Independent Director on its Board with effect from July 18, 2026. The appointment follows Ministry of Power Order No. 8/4/2020-Th.-1(Part-III)(276348) dated July 17, 2026. NTPC’s Board approved the appointment through a resolution passed by circulation on July 18, 2026. The company disclosed the development under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
REC forms SPVs for two Maharashtra transmission projects
REC Limited has incorporated Beed Parli Power Transmission Limited and Yavatmal Power Transmission Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary, REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL). The entities were established on July 17 and July 18, 2026, respectively, with an authorised and paid-up capital of Rs 5,00,000 each. Beed Parli Power Transmission Limited will develop a 765 kV Air Insulated Substation (AIS) at Parli in Beed district, while Yavatmal Power Transmission Limited will implement a 400 kV AIS project at Bahulgaon in Yavatmal district. The SPVs will be transferred to successful bidders under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework along with all associated assets and liabilities.
NPCIL, ECIL sign MoU for indigenous nuclear technology development
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term technology partnership for India’s nuclear power programme. The collaboration covers Control and Instrumentation (C&I) systems, Computer-Based Systems (CBS), nuclear instrumentation, training simulators and cyber security solutions. Both organisations operate under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. The partnership aims to support existing and upcoming nuclear power projects while addressing technology obsolescence and promoting standardisation.
MNRE approves Rs 436.93 crore RE-R&D programme till FY31
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved the continuation of the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) Programme for the 16th Finance Cycle from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs 436.93 crore. The programme will support research across solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, energy storage and hybrid technologies. It includes Rs 200 crore for a Perovskite PV Manufacturing Pilot Line and funding support of up to 100% for government institutions and non-profit research organisations. The Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas in Renewable Energy (MAHA-RE) will receive up to Rs 200 crore with a matching contribution from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
ACME Solar signs 300 MW hybrid PPA with SECI at Rs 3.25/unit
ACME Solar Holdings Limited has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) for a 300 MW wind-solar hybrid project under Hybrid Tranche IX. The agreement, executed through ACME Renewtech Fifth Private Limited, carries a tenure of 25 years. The project is scheduled to commence power supply on June 30, 2028, at a tariff of Rs 3.25 per unit. It will maintain a minimum annual Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of 30%. Following the agreement, ACME Solar’s PPA-backed portfolio has increased to 6,870 MW against a total contracted portfolio of 8,070 MW.
REC appoints RITES for transformer quality monitoring under RDSS
REC Limited has signed a contract with RITES Limited for third-party quality monitoring of power transformers to be deployed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. RITES will serve as REC’s Third-Party Quality Monitoring Agency (TPQMA) and conduct Pre-Dispatch Inspection (PDI) of transformers before deployment. The agreement was signed in Gurugram by Yogendra Singh, General Manager and Head of Department (PMD Quality), REC, and Akshaya Kumar Swain, Additional General Manager, RITES Limited. The inspections are intended to verify compliance with technical specifications and quality standards. REC stated that the engagement forms part of its broader quality assurance framework for RDSS implementation.