Power Sector News Roundup for December 23, 2025

India

CTU notifies indicative capital costs for dedicated transmission systems

The Central Transmission Utility has notified indicative capital costs for various dedicated transmission system configurations. The benchmarks cover 220 kV and 400 kV transmission lines across different circuit types, conductor configurations, and wind zones, and also include costs for reactive power equipment such as bus reactors and line reactors. The CTU clarified that these figures are indicative, exclude Right of Way costs, and are not fixed tariffs. Actual costs will vary based on surveys, terrain, technical specifications, and market conditions at execution.

CEA addresses key hurdles in state transmission asset monetization

The Central Electricity Authority has written to states proposing solutions to barriers affecting intra state transmission asset monetisation under the Acquire, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer model. The measures address revenue certainty, tax treatment, and payment security, following concerns raised by states during a December 2024 workshop. The CEA proposed a regulated tariff framework, recommended a demerger structure for asset transfer, and cited the Electricity Late Payment Surcharge and Related Matter Amendment Rules, 2025, to strengthen payment discipline. The authority said the steps are aimed at attracting private capital for grid expansion.

MNRE clarifies ALMM exemption for early SIGHT green hydrogen bids

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has clarified the applicability of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers for projects under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme. Projects under SIGHT Mode 2A and Mode 2B with bid submission deadlines on or before 31 August 2025 will be exempt from using solar photovoltaic cells listed under ALMM List II. The exemption applies only to renewable capacity linked to the SIGHT allocation and remains valid regardless of commissioning date. The ministry said earlier ALMM exemptions remain unchanged and relaxations will be assessed case by case.

Inox Green to acquire Macquarie-owned renewable platform Vibrant Energy

Inox Green Energy Services Limited has signed definitive agreements to acquire Vibrant Energy, the India-focused renewable platform owned by Macquarie Asset Management. The transaction values Vibrant Energy at about Rs 17.9 billion in equity terms and covers a total renewable portfolio of 1,337 MW, with around 800 MW operational. The assets are spread across five states. Following media reports, the BSE has sought a clarification from Inox Green under listing disclosure regulations.

ArcelorMittal to invest USD 900 million in 1 GW renewable energy projects

ArcelorMittal announced a USD 900 million investment in three renewable energy projects in India with a combined capacity of 1 GW. The projects span Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat and will supply power to AMNS India. On completion, the investment will raise the company’s global renewable capacity to 3.3 GW and double its India capacity to 2 GW. The projects are expected to deliver annual carbon dioxide savings of about 1.6 million tonnes.

Bondada Engineering wins order for 810 MW solar project in Rajasthan

Bondada Engineering has secured an engineering, procurement, and construction order worth Rs 945 crore from NLC India Renewables Limited. The contract covers Balance of System works, full EPC execution, and three years of operations and maintenance for 810 MW of solar capacity at the RVUNL Solar Park in Bikaner. The project is to be completed within 15 months from the Letter of Award. The order takes Bondada’s EPC orders in hand to 3 GW.

Saatvik Green secures module supply order, solar pump contract, commissions EPE facility

Saatvik Green Energy Limited reported multiple developments across manufacturing and project execution. Its subsidiary received a Rs 486 crore order for solar module supply, scheduled for completion by December 2026. The company also secured a solar water pump order worth about Rs 13.50 crore from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. In addition, Saatvik commissioned a 2 GW encapsulant film manufacturing facility at its Ambala campus to support captive module production.

Exide Industries infuses Rs 180 crore into lithium ion arm, names new CEO

Exide Industries Limited announced a leadership change and fresh capital infusion in Exide Energy Solutions Limited. Pravin Ramchandra Saraf has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Mandar V Deo. Exide invested Rs 180 crore through a rights issue, keeping its shareholding at 100 per cent. The funds will support a greenfield lithium ion battery manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

Global

Matrix Renewables signs contract with Tesla for 500 MW BESS in the UK

Matrix Renewables has signed a full engineering, procurement, and construction contract with Tesla for a 500 MW, two hour battery energy storage system in Eccles, Scotland. The 1 GWh project has secured all planning consents and is positioned along key transmission corridors between Scotland and England. Tesla will handle design, construction, and commissioning. The project marks Matrix Renewables’ first standalone BESS development in the UK and one of its largest in Europe.