Power Sector News Roundup for August 24, 2026
JSW Energy signs MOU with China’s RJE Tech for energy storage systems
JSW Energy has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (RJE Tech) covering the supply of energy storage systems (ESS) with capacities of 5 MWh and 6.26 MWh. The systems will use RJE Tech’s 314Ah and newly mass-produced 588Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. The agreement adds to RJE Tech’s recent expansion of partnerships in India’s battery energy storage market and supports JSW Energy’s energy transition plans.
CEA sets 2028-29 target for indigenous SCADA and EMS systems
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has outlined a phased roadmap for the indigenous development of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS) solutions, with full indigenisation targeted by 2028-29. The roadmap covers 38 software modules and 25 hardware modules and aims to strengthen grid-management capabilities as renewable energy integration increases. The programme follows a December 2025 directive that identified SCADA indigenisation as a priority for self-reliance and cyber-resilience.
Insolation Energy wins 99 MW AC solar projects from MSEDCL
Insolation Energy Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Insolation Green Energy Private Limited, has received a Letter of Award (LOA) from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) for nine grid-connected solar power projects with an aggregate capacity of 99 MW AC (128.7 MW DC) in Maharashtra. The projects were awarded under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana – 2.0 following a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The projects have a finalized levelized tariff of Rs 2.90 per unit and a 25-year contract, with expected annual revenue of approximately Rs 59.72 crore.
Tata Power Renewable commissions 190.5 MW FDRE project in Rajasthan
Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited, has commissioned a 190.5 MW Solar Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) project at Kalasar in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The project includes a 115 MWh advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and is part of the larger 460 MW FDRE capacity contracted under the SJVN FDRE Tranche-1 initiative. Power from the project will be supplied to Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), and Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL).
MPPMCL, UPPCL sign MoU for 2,000 MW peak power procurement and banking
Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Ltd (MPPMCL) and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2,000 MW of peak power procurement and medium-term power banking. The arrangement is based on the contrasting seasonal electricity demand patterns of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with Madhya Pradesh recording peak energy demand from October to March and Uttar Pradesh from April to September. Supported by consultants Mercados, the initiative is projected to attract approximately Rs 10,000 crore of investment into the power and renewable energy sectors.
Oriana Power secures Rs 94.51 crore Bihar solar EPC order
Oriana Power Limited has received and accepted a Letter of Award (LOA) from Bellwether Energy Pvt. Ltd. and its group entities for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for ground-mounted solar projects with a total contracted capacity of 25.138 MW / 31.423 MWp in Bihar. The aggregate order value is approximately Rs 94.51 crore, inclusive of GST, with projects spread across eight locations in Bihar. Oriana Power is required to complete the projects within six months from the date of the LOA.
Delhi’s Master Plan 2047 makes solar power central to city’s energy future
The Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) approved Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047) proposes wider deployment of renewable energy, with solar power identified as a key component of Delhi’s future energy mix. The plan proposes exploring existing canals and drains, including a section of the Najafgarh drain, for solar power generation wherever technically feasible, while also encouraging solar projects under Delhi’s Agriculture-cum-Solar Farm Scheme. It further proposes rooftop solar for government buildings and institutional campuses with rooftop areas exceeding 500 square metres, along with renewable energy use at major public facilities.
SECI awards 1,500 MW FDRE tender at Rs 5.99-6/kWh
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has awarded its 1,500 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) tender to three developers at tariffs of Rs 5.99/kWh to Rs 6/kWh. Waaree Energies’ subsidiary Waaree Forever Energies Pvt. Ltd. emerged as the lowest bidder, securing 700 MW at Rs 5.99/kWh, while NTPC Renewables secured 500 MW and Acme Solar Holdings secured 750 MW at Rs 6/kWh. The awarded capacities total 1,950 MW, although the tender is described as a 1,500 MW FDRE procurement.
MNRE advises extensions for renewable projects hit by West Asia disruptions
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has advised renewable energy implementing agencies to consider granting time extensions of up to four months to renewable power projects affected by disruptions arising from the West Asia situation. The advisory, dated August 21, 2026, follows representations from project developers and is based on the Department of Expenditure’s Office Memorandum dated April 29, 2026, which treated the ongoing West Asia situation as “war” and a recognised force majeure event. The relief applies to eligible projects whose Scheduled Commencement of Supply Date (SCSD) or Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD), including any extended dates, falls on or after February 28, 2026, but extensions will be considered case by case.
MNRE revises ALMM List-II with new solar cell models, efficiency ranges
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued the ninth revision of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells, effective August 21, 2026. The revision updates the efficiency ranges of four existing manufacturers and adds new models from Waaree Energies Limited, EMMVEE Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Avaada Electro Private Limited. TP Solar Ltd., Renewsys India Pvt. Ltd., Premier Energies Photovoltaic Private Limited and Reliance Industries Limited have received revised efficiency ranges for listed technologies.
Tamil Nadu targets 50% renewable power share by 2031
Tamil Nadu has set a target of raising the share of renewable energy in its power mix to 50% by 2031 while expanding generation capacity and strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure. As of July 1, 2026, the state had 46,846 MW of installed power capacity, of which renewable sources accounted for 28,348 MW, or 60.5%. The roadmap for 2026-27 includes utility-scale solar and wind projects, battery energy storage systems (BESS), feeder solarisation, rooftop solar and expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
NHPC starts rotor assembly for 250 MW Unit 7 at Subansiri Lower project
NHPC Limited has commenced rotor assembly for Unit 7 of its 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The milestone advances work towards erection and commissioning of the 250 MW unit, while Units 1–4 are under commercial operation and preparations are underway for commissioning Unit 5. The project comprises eight units with a total installed capacity of 2,000 MW.
Hitachi Energy to invest $300 million in China to expand transformer capacity
Hitachi Energy will invest $300 million in China to expand its power transformer and component manufacturing capacity, with the investment focused on facilities in Hefei, Anhui Province. The expansion includes a power transformer factory, a new ultra-high voltage bushing facility and a digital production line for tap changers. The investment forms part of Hitachi Energy’s $9 billion global investment plan to expand manufacturing capacity, engineering, research and development (R&D), and partnerships.
Tanzania inaugurates 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere hydropower project
Tanzania has inaugurated the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Rufiji River, the country’s largest hydropower project. The $2.9 billion project was built over five years by an Egyptian consortium comprising Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric. The plant has nine turbines of 235 MW each and will transmit electricity through a 400-kilovolt switchyard into Tanzania’s national grid through the Shalenzi 1 and Shalenzi 2 interconnection circuits.