Power Sector News Roundup for December 30, 2025

India

Waaree Energies announces CEO succession, subsidiary starts solar plant

Waaree Energies Limited reported two major developments, including a leadership transition and expansion of manufacturing capacity. Its subsidiary, Waaree Power Private Limited, has started production at two solar inverter manufacturing lines at Sarodhi-Valsad, Gujarat, each with 1.525 GW capacity, totaling 3.05 GW. Operations began at 10:00 AM on 29 December 2025. Separately, CEO Amit Pathankar has resigned, with his last working day set as 15 May 2026 or earlier, and Jignesh Rathod has been named CEO-Designate to take over on 16 May 2026 or earlier.

NTPC Green commissions 13.98 MW from Khavda solar project

NTPC Green Energy Limited has declared commercial operation of 13.98 MW from the ninth part of its 1,255 MW Khavda-I Solar PV Project in Gujarat. The Commercial Operation Date is effective from 30 December 2025. The project is being implemented under the CPSU Scheme Phase-II, Tranche-III, through NTPC Renewable Energy Limited. With this addition, NGEL’s commercial capacity stands at 7,996.30 MW and its total installed capacity is now 8,010.28 MW.

Coal ministry amends rules to let company boards approve new mine openings

The Ministry of Coal has notified amendments to the Colliery Control Rules, 2025, enabling coal company boards to approve the opening of new mines, seams or sections of seams. This removes the earlier requirement of prior permission from the Coal Controller’s Organisation and is expected to shorten operational timelines by up to two months. The amendment, notified on 23 December 2025, revises Rule 9 of the Colliery Control Rules, 2004. Companies must still secure all statutory clearances and submit opening details to the CCO, while non-corporate mining entities will continue under the earlier approval process.

Waa Solar bags Rs 225 crore solar contract in Madhya Pradesh

Waa Solar Limited has received a Letter of Award from M.P. Urja Vikas Nigam Limited for developing grid-connected solar power plants valued at about Rs 225 crore. The work falls under the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeders Scheme with a PM KUSUM-C feeder solarisation component for supplying power to MPPMCL. The LOA was issued on 29 December 2025 under SEBI LODR Regulation 30. The company said the project will be completed within 18 months from signing the Power Purchase Agreement and confirmed it is not a related-party transaction.

Ambala Cantonment gets major power distribution upgrade under RDSS

Haryana’s Energy Minister Anil Vij inaugurated a major power distribution strengthening project in Ambala Cantonment under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The Rs 38 crore project is expected to improve reliability, support businesses, and complete within one year. Plans include seven new feeders, 127 transformers, relocation of road transformers, a substation near Shahpur-Machhaunda, and a new service centre in Garnala. The initiative aligns with Haryana’s RDSS programme, where loss reduction projects worth Rs 6,794 crore have been sanctioned and the state’s AT&C losses have declined to 10.49 percent, with an ACS-ARR gap of Rs 0.07 per kWh.

Alpex Solar bags Rs 65 crore MSEDCL order for solar pumps

Alpex Solar Limited has announced an order worth Rs 65 crore from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited for off-grid DC solar photovoltaic water pumping systems. The project comes under the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, part of the PM-KUSUM scheme’s agricultural support component. Supplies will be made across multiple districts in Maharashtra. Execution is scheduled within 60 days as per the Letter of Empanelment.

Global

Vestas secures 390 MW offshore wind project order in South Korea

Vestas has secured a 390 MW turbine order for the Shinan-Ui offshore wind project, marking its first offshore wind contract in South Korea. The project involves 26 V236-15.0 MW turbines along with a 20-year service agreement. Delivery is planned in 2027, with commercial operation targeted for 2028. The project is being developed by a consortium including Hanwha Ocean, SK Eternix, KOMIPO, Future Energy Fund and Hyundai Engineering & Construction.

Four major Chinese solar wafer makers raise prices

Four major Chinese wafer manufacturers have increased wafer prices, lifting market levels by around 12 percent. Prices have been set at RMB 1.4 per piece for 183.75mm wafers, RMB 1.5 per piece for 210R wafers, and RMB 1.7 per piece for 210N wafers. Companies cited include Longi, TCL Zhonghuan, Gaojing Solar and Shuangliang Silicon Materials. Analysts link the move to rising raw material costs, constrained supply conditions and cost pressures in the broader photovoltaic manufacturing chain.