Power Sector News Roundup for August 4, 2026
MNRE clears confusion over ALMM cell rules for rooftop solar
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an Office Memorandum dated August 4, 2026 clarifying the applicability of Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells across utility-scale, rooftop, net-metering and captive solar projects. The clarification defines applicability based on project category, bid submission dates and commissioning timelines while confirming that Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions remain unchanged. It also specifies exemptions for eligible net-metering, open access, government rooftop and behind-the-meter projects, while outlining when ALMM List-II compliance becomes mandatory.
NPCIL crosses 1,000 BU of cumulative nuclear power generation
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has crossed cumulative electricity generation of more than 1,000 billion units (BU) since the start of commercial operations of its nuclear power plants. According to NPCIL, this has helped avoid more than 860 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions. The company currently operates PHWRs, BWRs and VVER reactors across the country, has multiple projects under construction, and aims to expand nuclear capacity from roughly 8.8 GW to 54 GW by 2047. NPCIL also expects its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to materialise this year.
REC appoints Somya Kant as Executive Director
REC Limited has promoted Shri Somya Kant as Executive Director with effect from August 3, 2026, subject to assumption of charge. The appointment places him in the senior management cadre one level below the Board of Directors. He has more than 35 years of experience in finance and accounts, including 19 years at REC and 14 years at Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). REC stated that there are no disclosed relationships between Shri Kant and the company’s existing directors.
Pace Digitek doubles BESS manufacturing capacity to 5 GWh
Pace Digitek Limited has doubled its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing capacity to 5 GWh after its subsidiary, Lineage Power Private Limited, commissioned an additional 2.5 GWh production line. The company said it has manufactured more than 300 utility-scale BESS containers, representing around 1.5 GWh of storage capacity, during the past year. The expansion is intended to support its growing order book and improve production flexibility, delivery capability and operational efficiency across utility-scale and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) applications.
Cosmic PV secures CTE for 1.1 GW solar cell plant in Madhya Pradesh
Cosmic PV Power Limited has received the Consent to Establish (CTE) for a 1.10 GW N-Type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh. The project will be developed on 60 acres of leased land and is expected to be commissioned in FY 2027-28. The facility represents the first phase of the company’s planned 4 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing expansion in Madhya Pradesh. Cosmic PV said the investment supports its backward integration strategy following implementation of ALMM List-II requirements.
KEC wins transmission and renewables orders worth Rs 1,063 crore
KEC International Limited has secured orders worth Rs 1,063 crore across transmission, renewables, civil, cables and conductors businesses. The power sector orders include a wind EPC project of more than 50 MW in Western India and a 400 kV transmission line project in Africa. The company also received transmission tower, hardware and pole supply orders in the Americas. With these additions, its year-to-date order intake has crossed Rs 6,300 crore.
NCLT clears Rs 2,775 crore Inox-Authum resolution plan for Wind World India
The Ahmedabad Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the Rs. 2,775 crore resolution plan submitted by the consortium of Inox Neo Energies Limited and Authum Investment & Infrastructure Limited for Wind World (India) Limited (WWIL). The plan includes an upfront payment of Rs. 1,875 crore, Rs. 900 crore as restructured debt and acquisition of WWIL’s operation and maintenance business by Inox Green Energy Services Limited. The O&M business covers around 4.5 GW of wind turbine operations, while the IPP business will remain with WWIL. The tribunal also reaffirmed the “clean slate” principle under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 while directing implementation oversight through a monitoring committee.
IREDA Q1 profit rises 37% as loan book nears Rs 95,000 crore
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) reported a 37% year-on-year increase in standalone profit after tax to Rs 338 crore for Q1 FY2027. Revenue from operations rose 15% to Rs 2,248 crore, while the outstanding loan book increased 19% to Rs 94,936 crore as of June 30, 2026. Gross NPA declined to 3.76% and Net NPA to 1.23%, with the Provision Coverage Ratio improving to 68.22%. During the quarter, the Ministry of Finance approved IREDA to issue 54EC Bonds.
NHPC records highest-ever single-day power generation of 169.34 MU
NHPC Limited recorded its highest-ever single-day power generation of 169.34 million units (MU) on August 2, 2026, surpassing the previous record of 167.02 MU set on August 1, 2026. The company attributed the achievement to commissioning of the 800 MW Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project, additional capacity at the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project and restoration of the 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station. NHPC’s operational installed capacity has increased to 7,651 MW, comprising 7,251 MW hydro, 350 MW solar and 50 MW wind.
MNRE mandates standard branding for PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar systems
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued guidelines mandating standard branding for rooftop solar systems installed under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). Vendors must display the scheme logo on solar PV modules, solar inverters and AC distribution boxes in prescribed sizes and locations. The ministry said the stickers must be weather-resistant, cannot obstruct equipment information, and their cost will be borne entirely by vendors. Compliance will be verified during inspections, with penalties including vendor deregistration for non-compliance.
Torrent Power’s profit dips in Q1 despite revenue growth
Torrent Power Limited reported a 3% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue from operations to Rs 8,124 crore in Q1 FY2027, while EBITDA rose 2% to Rs 1,619 crore. Total Comprehensive Income declined to Rs 639 crore from Rs 739 crore a year earlier because of higher finance costs linked to capacity expansion. During the quarter, the company completed acquisition of Nabha Power Limited for Rs 3,632.35 crore and continued development of renewable, pumped storage and coal-based generation projects. Its total generation capacity, including projects under development, stands at around 12.3 GWp.
MNRE adds seven solar module manufacturers to ALMM, expands capacity by 8.06 GW
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has added seven manufacturers with a combined enlisted manufacturing capacity of 8,064 MW (8.064 GW) to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar modules. Adani New Industries Limited accounts for the largest addition with 4,781 MW from its Mundra facility. Six of the seven new entrants received approvals for N-type Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) modules. Other additions include SLR Solar Private Limited, Fujiyama Power Systems Limited, HR Solar Solution Private Limited, Veda Solar Private Limited, SENSES14 Power Solution LLP and Poola Energy Private Limited.
CEA clarifies GFM mandate for BESS projects, spares those with concluded bids
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has clarified implementation of its advisory requiring 100% Grid-Forming Invertors (GFMs) in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. Projects with bids concluded by August 10, 2026, or purchase orders placed before July 10, 2026, are exempt from the requirement. The mandate applies to future BESS projects of 50 MW and above, with compliance linked to the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2026. Developers will also be required to undertake Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) studies and demonstrate grid-forming and black-start capability.
PM lays foundation stone for PGCIL’s 4.5 GW Kurnool-IV REZ transmission project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s (PGCIL) Transmission System for Integration of Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) – Phase-I. The project will evacuate 4.5 GW of renewable energy from Andhra Pradesh and will be implemented through Kurnool-IV Transmission Limited under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route. It includes a new 765/400/220 kV pooling station, augmentation of the Chilakaluripet substation and around 1,000 ckm of transmission lines. The project is scheduled for completion within 24 months.
Voith Hydro wins contract for Nepal’s 200 MW Lapchi Khola hydropower project
Voith Hydro Private Limited has secured the hydropower equipment contract for the 200 MW Lapchi Khola Hydropower Project in Nepal. The project is being developed by Nasa Hydropower Limited, part of the MV Dugar Group, and will become Nepal’s largest vertical Pelton hydropower plant developed by a private investor. The order takes Voith Hydro’s cumulative installed and contracted hydropower portfolio in Nepal to more than 600 MW. The company said it will focus on delivering the project with emphasis on innovation, safety and execution.
World’s biggest back contact solar project to rise in Central Queensland
TCL Solar has secured a contract from DT Infrastructure (DTI) to supply Back Contact (BC) solar modules for Edify Energy’s 720 MW Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations in Central Queensland, Australia. Installation is scheduled to begin in early Q2 2027, with the project expected to become the world’s largest deployment of back contact solar technology. The modules offer efficiencies of up to 24.2%, a 30-year performance warranty and a 15-year product warranty. The combined projects are expected to generate up to 1,589,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually after commissioning.