Power Sector News Roundup for April 1, 2026

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 monitoring. It also mandates fire suppression, explosion protection, surveillance systems, and third-party fire safety audits within three months of commissioning.

NGEL crosses 10 GW with full commissioning of Khavda-I

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has crossed 10 GW installed capacity after fully commissioning the 1,255 MW Khavda-I Solar PV Project in Gujarat. Its subsidiary NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) declared commercial operation of the final 78.02 MW tranche on March 31, 2026. NTPC REL also commissioned 90 MW at Khavda-II on the same date. NGEL’s total installed capacity has reached 10,126.40 MW, while NTPC Limited group capacity stands at 89,057 MW, with 87,977 MW commercial.

IREDA loan book crosses Rs 93,000 crore in FY2026

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) reported a loan book of Rs 93,075 crore for FY2026, up 22% from Rs 76,282 crore. Disbursements rose 16% to Rs 34,946 crore, while sanctions increased 9% to Rs 51,883 crore. Its IFSC subsidiary, IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Limited, received a BBB+/Stable international credit rating from CareEdge Global Ratings. The company stated the rating reflects institutional linkage and is expected to support diversified funding and lower borrowing costs.

NTPC REL signs green ammonia supply pact under SIGHT scheme

NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) has signed a Green Ammonia Purchase Agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) on March 30, 2026. The agreement covers supply of 70,000 metric tonnes per annum of green ammonia to Krishna Phoschem Limited under the SIGHT scheme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. SECI will act as the intermediary procurer. Pricing and supply timelines were not disclosed.

Centre grants BHEL five-year GFR exemption for 21 items

The Department of Expenditure has granted Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) a five-year exemption under Rule 144(xi) of the General Financial Rules. The relaxation allows procurement of 21 items from entities in countries sharing land borders with India. BHEL disclosed the development on March 31, 2026, following a query from BSE Limited. The exemption indicates limited availability of viable alternatives from non-restricted sources.

Advait Energy wins 150 MW/300 MWh BESS LoI from GUVNL

Advait Energy Transitions Limited has received a Letter of Intent from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for a 150 MW/300 MWh BESS project. The company was selected as L1 bidder at a tariff of Rs 2.10 lakh per MW per month. The project will receive viability gap funding through the Power System Development Fund and is subject to Electricity Regulatory Approval. Commissioning is required within 18 months of agreement signing.

ACME Solar commissions third phase of Rajasthan BESS project

ACME Solar Holdings Limited has commissioned the third phase of its 300 MW/1,409.34 MWh BESS project in Rajasthan. The 33.333 MW and 160.51 MWh phase achieved commercial operation on April 2, 2026, through ACME Sun Power Private Limited. Total commissioned capacity has reached 100.003 MW and 481.500 MWh. The project is being developed in nine equal tranches.

Advait Energy wins Rs 245 crore in power distribution contracts from Gujarat utility

Advait Energy Transitions Limited has received five orders from Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL) for 11 KV medium voltage covered conductor systems. The contracts, awarded on March 30, 2026 under RDSS, have a combined value of Rs 245.33 crore. The packages cover Morbi, Bhavnagar, Rajkot rural, Amreli, and Surendranagar. Each contract has a nine-month execution timeline.

NGEL signs MoU with PTC India for renewable power sales

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PTC India Limited on March 31, 2026. The agreement aims to explore renewable power sales through bilateral and market-based mechanisms. It is a non-binding framework with no specified volumes, pricing, or timelines. Future transactions will be negotiated separately.

SECI concludes Puducherry rooftop solar auction at Rs 4.11 per unit

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has concluded its Tranche V rooftop solar auction for government buildings in Puducherry at Rs 4.11 per kWh. Potaliya Petrochemicals won 15 MW and Kishan Infrastructure Industries secured 2.768 MW, taking total awarded capacity to 17.768 MW. The tender was initially floated at 13.043 MW in September 2025 and later revised upward. Developers are responsible for full project execution, including net metering, approvals, and operations and maintenance, with modules sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.