India’s leading source for power sector news and analysis.

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is preparing to launch bids for 21 MW of grid-connected solar power projects. The projects will include a battery energy storage system (BESS), a key requirement for islands with limited grid capacity. The tender will be floated once the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approves the lowest discovered tariff. This regulatory step is needed before final bids can be invited. A joint...

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 The Delhi government is planning a floating solar project on the Munak Canal. The project is in the planning phase. Feasibility studies are underway. A detailed project report and technical design are expected soon. Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the canal plays a vital role in Delhi’s water supply but also causes losses and safety issues. “The Munak Canal is a lifeline for Delhi’s water supply. But in its...

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched two new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on green hydrogen and electric vehicle (EV) technologies. Both centres operate entirely on renewable energy generated onsite, combining solar, wind, and battery storage to ensure uninterrupted power. The green hydrogen centre features a microgrid with solar panels and wind turbines that directly power electrolysers. This setup allows for zero-emissions hydrogen production and offers a...

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 H&H Aluminium has inaugurated its new solar frame manufacturing plant in Rajkot, Gujarat. The facility has a manufacturing capacity of 24,000 metric tonnes per annum and can support up to 6 GW of solar installations annually. The company has invested approximately Rs 1.5 billion in the new plant. Trial production began in June 2025. Commercial operations are expected to commence within a month. Once fully operational, the plant is projected...

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 ACME Solar Holdings has placed an order exceeding 3.1 GWh for battery energy storage systems (BESS) from Zhejiang Narada and Trina Energy. The order aims to secure high-efficiency, scalable storage solutions to support ACME’s expanding renewable energy portfolio. The delivery will be phased over the next four to eight months in fiscal year 2025–26. The systems will be deployed across ACME’s firm and dispatchable renewable energy projects and battery-linked installations....

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 THDC India Limited has declared the commercial operation of Unit II (250 MW) of its Tehri pumped storage project (PSP). The project, located in Uttarakhand, has a total planned capacity of 1,000 MW and includes four reversible pump turbine units of 250 MW each. The first unit entered commercial operations in June 2025. The Tehri PSP has been implemented by THDC, a joint venture between NTPC Limited and the Government...

Author: PPD Team Date: 09/07/2025 A new report from the US Department of Energy (DOE) warns that blackouts could rise 100 times by 2030 if the country continues to retire firm power capacity without timely replacement. The report highlights the urgent need to add dependable generation as the US grid faces surging electricity demand. The Report on Evaluating US Grid Reliability and Security fulfills Section 3(b) of President Trump’s Executive Order focused on strengthening grid...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 The European Commission (EC) has proposed an amendment to the EU Climate Law, targeting a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. The amendment builds on the legally binding commitment to climate neutrality by 2050, which came into effect in July 2021. The proposal is grounded in the Commission Political Guidelines for 2024–2029 and is part of a broader push to align industrial competitiveness,...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 At its 30th meeting, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) approved high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology to evacuate 6 GW of solar power from Barmer in Rajasthan to South Kalamb in Maharashtra. The committee rejected battery energy storage system (BESS) as an alternative following a cost analysis by the Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL). The proposal had been under discussion for months as the Central Electricity Authority (CEA)...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 The Ministry of Power has notified the Electricity (Transmission System Planning, Development and Recovery of Inter-State Transmission Charges) Amendment Rules, 2025, introducing a key change to the rules first issued in 2021. The amendment inserts a new proviso in Rule 3(5), allowing the Central Government to delegate its powers to the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) and the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) for approving Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects.  This...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has initiated the commercial operation date (COD) process for the second unit of its Tehri Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) in Uttarakhand. The 250 MW unit is part of the 1,000 MW Tehri PSP project. The milestone was virtually inaugurated by Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power. The Tehri PSP is India’s first variable speed pumped storage facility. It is also the largest pumped storage project...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 SJVN Limited has announced the results of its standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) auction in Uttar Pradesh. The 375 MW/1,500 MWh tender has been awarded to Patel Infrastructure and Enerica Infra 3 (EnerGrid). Patel Infrastructure secured 187.5 MW/750 MWh at a tariff of Rs 359,000 per MW per month. EnerGrid matched the capacity with a slightly higher tariff of Rs 359,999 per MW per month. The tender was issued...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued revised guidelines for Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in solar and wind power plants. The rules will improve the accuracy of real-time weather data, strengthen grid reliability, and support regulatory compliance for renewable energy developers. AWS units are to be installed within the boundaries of the project site. For solar plants, the AWS location should reflect the terrain and panel tilt. For wind projects,...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has awarded a Rs 233.39 million contract to a joint venture of Jain Irrigation Systems Limited and H2e Power Systems Private Limited for setting up a green hydrogen microgrid pilot project.  The project involves establishing a Solar PV-powered green hydrogen and fuel cell-based microgrid pilot at the 400/220/33 kV Neemrana substation in Rajasthan. Listed as T&D-Pilot Package GH2-01, the project will be executed...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 Kanohar Electricals Limited has won a contract valued at Rs 5,686.69 million from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for the supply of high-capacity power transformers under its bulk procurement programme. The order, listed as 400 kV Transformer Package-4TR-08-BULK under Lot 4, includes the procurement of: 17 units of 500 MVA, 400/220/33 kV, 3-phase transformers 2 units of 500 MVA, 400/230/33 kV, 3-phase transformers 1 unit of 315 MVA,...

Author: PPD Team Date: 08/07/2025 The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted in-principle approval to divert 847.17 hectares of forest land in Jammu & Kashmir for the Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project. The land spans across the Udhampur, Mahore, Batote, and Ramban forest divisions. The 1,856 MW project will be built on the Chenab river in the Ramban district. It is being developed by NHPC Limited...