Power Sector News Roundup for January 20, 2026

India

CEA issues revised type test and MQAP guidelines for power equipment

The Central Electricity Authority has issued revised guidelines for type tests and Model Quality Assurance Plans covering major power sector equipment. The updates were released on January 19, 2026, following Ministry of Power directions and stakeholder submissions, and replace the March 2022 versions. Drafts were circulated for public consultation in August 2025, and feedback was incorporated. The revisions standardise type test validity periods and align quality assurance practices across manufacturers and utilities. Both guidelines now have regulatory status under the 2022 CEA technical standards regulations, making compliance mandatory with immediate effect.

IIT Delhi launches Centre of Excellence for power sector regulation

Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi on January 19, 2026. The Centre has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Grid Controller of India Ltd. It aims to strengthen regulatory capacity amid rising demand, renewable integration, expanding power markets, and digitalisation. The Centre will focus on research, capacity building, advisory support, and training programmes. It will also develop analytical tools to assess regulatory proposals from consumer, system reliability, and investment perspectives.

BHEL reports strong Q3 FY 2025–26 earnings growth

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited reported improved results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, with unaudited results approved on January 19, 2026. Revenue from operations rose 16.4% year on year to Rs 8,473 crore, while net profit increased to Rs 390 crore. EBITDA grew 79% to Rs 545 crore, with margins improving to 6.4%. The company commissioned and synchronised multiple thermal power units and completed its first downstream EPC project in oil and gas. Auditors flagged an overdue receivable of Rs 211 crore from STPG and noted potential impacts of the New Labour Codes effective November 21, 2025.

PFC promotes Deepak Jain as Executive Director

Power Finance Corporation Limited has promoted Deepak Jain to Executive Director with effect from January 16, 2026. Jain has over 26 years of experience at PFC and was previously serving as Chief General Manager. His work spans project financing, policy formulation, stressed asset resolution, and resource mobilisation. He holds an engineering degree from the Delhi Institute of Technology and an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad. PFC classified the move as a change in senior management below board level.

Waaree group wins EPC and module supply orders in India and US

Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited has won a turnkey EPC contract for a 10 MWac / 14 MWp ground mounted solar project in Uttar Pradesh, valued at around Rs 37.96 crore excluding taxes. The project, awarded by an industrial gas manufacturer, is scheduled for completion in FY 2026–27. Separately, Waaree Energies Limited received a domestic order for 210 MW of DCR solar modules and a 2,000 MW export order through its US subsidiary. Domestic supplies are planned for FY 2026–27, while the US order will be executed between 2028 and 2030. Both companies said the orders were awarded on an arm’s length basis.

Juniper Green completes solar phase of Solapur hybrid project

Juniper Green Energy has commissioned a 72 MWp solar component of its 133 MWp hybrid project in Solapur, Maharashtra, ahead of schedule. The hybrid project includes 108 MWp of solar and 25 MW of wind capacity, with the solar portion completed 10 months early. The first 36 MWp was commissioned on September 25, 2025, followed by the remaining capacity on January 10, 2026. The project has a PPA with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd signed on November 18, 2024. The full hybrid project is scheduled for completion on November 17, 2026.

Alpex Solar wins Rs 215 crore domestic module supply order

Alpex Solar Ltd has secured a domestic contract worth Rs 215.20 crore, excluding GST, for high efficiency solar module supply. The order has been awarded by an undisclosed domestic industry player and will be executed over six months. The scope covers manufacturing and delivery of modules within the agreed timeline. The company recently received another order from MSEDCL worth Rs 65 crore for off grid DC solar PV water pumping systems. Alpex Solar said the new contract strengthens its domestic order pipeline.

BluPine Energy secures Rs 5,400 crore refinancing facility from Axis Bank

BluPine Energy has secured a Rs 5,400 crore long term refinancing facility underwritten by Axis Bank. The loan carries an interest rate of around 7.70% and a tenor of 16 to 20 years, backed by 17 project SPVs. These SPVs own operational solar and wind assets with long term PPAs, totalling 1,426 MWp, with 26 MW under construction. The refinancing replaces existing consortium debt and is aimed at improving capital structure. The transaction aligns with Actis’s $800 million commitment to build around 4 GW of renewable capacity in India.

Power distribution utilities post profit after years of losses

India’s power distribution utilities recorded a consolidated PAT of Rs 2,701 crore in FY 2024–25, according to data released on January 18, 2026. This compares with losses of Rs 25,553 crore in FY 2023–24 and Rs 67,962 crore in FY 2013–14. The Ministry of Power attributed the turnaround to reforms under schemes such as RDSS, accounting and disclosure rules, and tighter payment discipline. AT and C losses declined to 15.04%, while the ACS–ARR gap narrowed to Rs 0.06 per kWh. Outstanding dues to generators fell 96% to Rs 4,927 crore by January 2026.

LNK Energy launches with Rs 10,000 crore clean energy investment plan

LNK Energy has been launched as an integrated clean energy platform with a planned investment of Rs 10,000 crore over five years. The company was founded by Paritosh Ladhani, Kushagra Nandan, and Varun Karad and unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026. Its first project is a 6 GW integrated solar manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, covering ingots to modules. The facility will be developed on 60 acres under an agreement with the state government. The company also plans to expand into energy storage, green hydrogen, and renewable power generation.

Dalmia Bharat exits O2 Renewable Energy V with full stake sale

Dalmia Bharat Limited has sold its entire 25.44% stake in O2 Renewable Energy V Private Limited, completing the transaction on January 16, 2026. The stake was divested for Rs 10.82 crore and had been held through Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited. The buyers include JSW Neo Energy Limited, Goldman Sachs Services Pvt Ltd, and Syngene International Limited. The investment was originally made to source up to 11 MW of wind power capacity in Karnataka. Dalmia Bharat clarified that OREV was not consolidated in its financial statements.

Jupiter empanelled for solar pump project in Maharashtra

Jupiter International Limited has received a Rs 64.95 crore Letter of Empanelment from MSEDCL for off grid solar water pumping systems. The project is part of the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana aimed at solarising irrigation in off grid areas. Jupiter will handle manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and maintenance of the systems. The company operates a 959 MW solar cell manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh. It said the empanelment marks its entry into solar powered applications.

Global

UK awards 8.4 GW offshore wind capacity in CfD Round 7

The UK Government has awarded 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity under Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7. The round is expected to attract £3.4 billion in private investment and support up to 7,000 jobs. German energy company RWE secured 6.9 GW across five projects, all with a strike price of £91.2 per megawatt hour. RWE also announced a partnership with KKR, which will acquire a 50% stake in two Norfolk Vanguard projects subject to approvals. The government said the programme will strengthen domestic supply chains and support long term employment growth.