Power Bytes

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…

JSW, Torrent Power get EAC nod for 1,600 MW coal plants in West Bengal, MP The Expert Appraisal Committee for Thermal Projects has recommended environmental clearance for two 1,600 MW coal-based ultra-supercritical power projects by JSW Thermal Energy Limited and Torrent Power Limited. The projects, each comprising two units of 800 MW, will use domestic coal under the SHAKTI policy, with rail-based transport and zero liquid discharge systems. The JSW project in Paschim Medinipur, West…

Inox Clean Energy acquires Vibrant Energy for ~Rs 5,000 crore INOXGFL Group has expanded its renewable portfolio, with subsidiary Inox Clean Energy completing the acquisition of Vibrant Energy from Macquarie Corporate Holdings for around Rs 5,000 crore. The transaction, completed in four months, adds a 1,337 MW portfolio of solar and hybrid assets. The acquired portfolio supplies power to commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Vibrant Energy’s…

CEA notifies BESS safety rules, effective April 2027 The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has notified mandatory safety requirements for battery energy storage systems (BESS) through an amendment to the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023. Published on March 30, 2026, the rules will take effect on April 1, 2027. The amendment introduces Chapter XA with 14 regulations applicable to systems above 650 volts, including two-fault tolerance, automated shutdown, and detailed battery…

BHEL secures Rs 13,500 crore NTPC Telangana Stage-II contract Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has received a Notification of Award (NOA) from NTPC Limited for the 3×800 MW Telangana Stage-II supercritical thermal power project in Peddapalli district, Telangana. The contract is valued at over Rs 13,500 crore, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST), with an execution period of 62 months. The scope includes design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, commissioning, and testing of the main plant…

MoP directs CGPL to run imported coal plant at full capacity through June The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued directions to Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. (CGPL) under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, requiring full-capacity operation of its imported coal-based (ICB) plant from April 1 to June 30, 2026. A committee comprising MoP, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and NTPC Ltd. will set benchmark tariffs, reviewed every 15 days. The order includes provisions on…

REC approves Rs 1.6 lakh crore borrowing plan for FY27 The board of REC Limited has approved a market borrowing programme of up to Rs 1.6 lakh crore for FY27. The programme includes long-term bonds and non-convertible debentures (NCDs), external commercial borrowings (ECBs), green bonds, ESG bonds, short-term loans, and commercial papers. Long-term bonds and NCDs are capped at Rs 1,00,000 crore, while ECBs and related funding are limited to Rs 50,000 crore. Short-term loans…

CIL approves IPO plans for SECL and MCL, up to 25% stake sale Coal India Limited (CIL) has approved in-principle plans to list its subsidiaries South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), with up to 25% equity divestment in each via the Offer for Sale (OFS) route. The decision was taken at the board meeting on March 23, 2026. SECL’s listing will include a fresh issue of up to 10% of post-issue…