Power Bytes

CCI dismisses complaint over SECI solar tender The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed proceedings against Adani Green Energy, Azure Power, and SECI over alleged anti-competitive practices linked to the 7 GW solar manufacturing-linked tender. In its order dated April 16, 2026, the Commission said it found no prima facie evidence of contravention under the Competition Act, 2002. It rejected claims that the RfS structure favoured large bidders or enabled proxy participation by Azure…

GAIL signs pact for 600 MW solar project with BESS in Jhansi GAIL (India) Limited has signed contract agreements with TUSCO Limited for developing a 600 MW solar power project at TUSCO’s Solar Park in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The project will include a 550 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to support reliable power supply for GAIL’s petrochemical plant at Pata in Auraiya district and future demand from Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants. The total project…

REC appoints Rajesh Kumar as Director (Finance) and CFO REC Limited has appointed Shri Rajesh Kumar as Director (Finance) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 2, 2026. The Board of Directors approved the appointment at its meeting held on April 15, 2026, following an intimation submitted to stock exchanges on April 2, 2026. Shri Rajesh Kumar has over 30 years of experience in the public sector, focused on power and infrastructure financing. He previously…

Hitachi Energy, AESL commission one of world’s largest HVDC city center infeed Adani Electricity Mumbai Infrastructure Limited (AEMIL) and Hitachi Energy have commissioned a 1,000 MW HVDC transmission link between Kudus and Aarey in Mumbai, increasing the city’s power supply from outside by 50 percent. The project includes a 30-km overhead line and a 50-km underground corridor, along with a compact HVDC substation suited for urban constraints. The converter station upgrade raises grid import capacity…

CEA proposes technical standards for renewable plants and BESS construction The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued a draft amendment to its Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines Regulations, 2022, introducing a dedicated framework for renewable energy projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The amendment is scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2027, if notified. It introduces a new Chapter VI covering solar, floating solar, onshore and offshore…

Maharashtra clears MSEDCL split, Mahavitaran IPO plan The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the restructuring of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), enabling its bifurcation and a planned stock market listing. The utility will be split into Mahavitaran for non-agricultural consumers and MSEB Solar Agro Power Limited (MSAPL) for agricultural supply, with Rs 2,500 crore earmarked for solar-based infrastructure. An IPO of Mahavitaran’s non-agricultural business is expected within six to nine months, subject to regulatory…

India’s PFBR at Kalpakkam achieves criticality, advancing second stage of nuclear programme India’s indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu has attained criticality, marking a key milestone in the three-stage nuclear programme. The 500 MWe reactor can now sustain a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction without external intervention. This confirms that the reactor core is functioning as designed and enables progression toward full power generation. The PFBR forms the…