Power Sector News Roundup for July 10, 2026

Vikram Solar signs 130 MW DCR solar cell supply agreement

Vikram Solar Limited has signed a Solar Cell Supply Agreement with Evervolt Solar Technology India Private Limited (formerly CETC Renewable Energy Technology India Pvt. Ltd.) for the procurement of 130 MW of Mono-PERC 10BB Domestic Content Requirement (DCR)-compliant solar cells. The agreement was signed on July 8, 2026, and disclosed on July 9, 2026. The procurement will support Vikram Solar’s module manufacturing operations using domestically sourced solar cells. The cells are intended for projects requiring DCR-compliant components under government schemes.

SECI cancels 1,000 MW FDRE-VIII tender for surplus renewable energy

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has cancelled its 1,000 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE)-VIII tender issued on December 26, 2025. The tender was designed to procure surplus renewable energy from existing projects for supply to the Ministry of Power under a 12-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). It aimed to improve grid flexibility, support Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), and utilise surplus renewable generation from existing Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected projects with Energy Storage Systems (ESS). SECI has not disclosed the reason for the cancellation.

Insolation Energy secures Rs 558 crore solar module order from NTPC

Insolation Energy Limited said its wholly owned subsidiary, Insolation Green Energy Private Limited, has secured a Rs 558.29 crore contract from NTPC Renewable Energy Limited for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The domestic contract, inclusive of GST, will be executed during FY27. The company stated that the transaction is not a related party transaction and that no promoter or promoter group entity has any interest in the awarding company. The module supply capacity has not been disclosed.

Pace Digitek subsidiary signs MoUs to supply BESS solutions in India

Pace Digitek Limited’s subsidiary, Lineage Power Private Limited (LPPL), has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Onward Solar Power Private Limited and Kalpa Power Private Limited. Under the agreements, LPPL will serve as the preferred Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) supply partner for future projects across India. The scope includes supply of DC Blocks, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) BESS cabinets, residential BESS, Power Conversion Systems (PCS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), and battery containers. Project-specific commercial terms will be finalised through separate agreements and purchase orders.

Om Power Transmission wins Rs 82 crore PGVCL cable project

Om Power Transmission Limited has received a Letter of Acceptance from Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) for a turnkey project worth Rs 82.17 crore, including GST. The contract covers conversion of the existing 11 kV high tension (HT) and low tension (LT) overhead distribution network into an underground cable network with a Ring Main System (RMS) in the Kaliabid Subdivision (Part-2) of Bhavnagar Circle, Gujarat. The company stated that the order was received in the normal course of business and is not a related party transaction.

Ceigall India approves funding, security for Velgaon transmission project

Ceigall India Limited has approved the creation of security for a rupee term loan facility and further investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, Velgaon Power Transmission Limited. The funding will support implementation of the “Establishment of 400/220 kV Velgaon Substation (GIS)” project under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework. The company will infuse up to Rs 109.19 crore into the special purpose vehicle through equity, unsecured loans or other financial instruments. The investment will be made in tranches based on project funding requirements.

Premier Energies inaugurates 5.6 GW solar module plant in Telangana

Premier Energies Limited has inaugurated a 5.6 GW solar module manufacturing facility at Seetharampur in Rangareddy, Telangana. The company also broke ground for a 6 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing facility and an aluminium frames plant with 18,000 metric tonnes per annum capacity. With the commissioning, Premier Energies’ total solar module manufacturing capacity has increased to 11.1 GW. The integrated campus is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs once fully operational.

India’s BESS capacity grows 11-fold to 8.5 GWh in a year: IESA report

India added 7.9 GWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in the first half of 2026, increasing cumulative operational capacity to 8.5 GWh, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). The report states that 6.9 GWh is operating in merchant mode and that installed capacity has grown 11-fold over the past year. It also notes that 281 GWh of energy storage capacity has been tendered as of H1 2026. India’s operational BESS capacity is expected to reach 12-15 GWh by December 2026.

Solex Energy secures Rs 628 crore solar module supply order

Solex Energy Limited has secured a Rs 628.37 crore order from a global renewable energy group for the supply of N-Type TOPCon G12R Glass-to-Glass solar PV modules rated at 615 Wp and 620 Wp. The contract value is inclusive of all applicable duties and taxes. The modules will be manufactured at the company’s facilities near Surat, Gujarat. Solex’s 3.78 GW manufacturing facility is listed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

Finance Ministry expands concessional duty list for battery manufacturing equipment

The Ministry of Finance has expanded the list of machinery eligible for concessional customs duty for lithium-ion cell manufacturing. The amendment revises Customs Notification No. 21/2002-Customs to include equipment across slurry preparation, electrode coating, winding, electrolyte filling, testing, inspection and packaging, along with supporting infrastructure. The move is intended to support domestic Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing. The revised provisions take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

WRPC recommends Rs 550 crore replacement of Bhadrawati HVDC transformers

The Western Regional Power Committee (WRPC) has recommended replacing nine converter transformers at the HVDC Bhadrawati station at an estimated cost of Rs 550 crore. The recommendation follows a Residual Life Assessment by the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), which found that the Alstom-manufactured transformers had exceeded their useful life. The remaining 10 transformers will continue operating under close monitoring. The proposal is based on the assessment findings and applicable Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) norms.

From duck to camel: how India’s power demand curve is changing

A paper by Sanjeev Sanyal and Satvik Dev of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) states that India’s key electricity challenge is shifting from generation capacity to grid flexibility. The analysis shows that increasing solar generation is reshaping the country’s demand profile into a summer “duck curve” and a winter “Bactrian camel” curve. The study estimates that reducing a typical summer evening ramp by half would require about 130 GWh of storage discharge. It concludes that large-scale energy storage deployment will be essential to maintain grid reliability.

NTPC achieves head race tunnel breakthrough at Tapovan Vishnugad project

NTPC Limited has achieved the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) breakthrough at its 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro Power Project in Uttarakhand. The milestone, completed on July 8, 2026, marks successful alignment of excavation works from Face-02 and Face-03. Around 9.7 km of the planned 12.1 km tunnel has now been excavated, representing about 80% completion. The project will now move to the tunnel lining stage.

Powergrid orders five ERS tower sets under national restoration plan

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Powergrid) has awarded a contract for five Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower sets costing about Rs 17 crore each. Delivery is scheduled by April 2027 under a national procurement plan approved by the Ministry of Power. The towers will support rapid restoration of damaged 400 kV transmission lines after disasters. Four of the five sets allocated under the plan will serve the North Eastern Region.

Tripura secures Rs 15,000 crore power sector financing from REC

REC Limited has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of Tripura committing financial support of up to Rs 15,000 crore. The agreements include up to Rs 5,000 crore for renewable energy projects through the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) and up to Rs 10,000 crore for power infrastructure projects through Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The MoUs were signed during the Destination Tripura Business Conclave 2026. The financing will support renewable energy deployment and electricity infrastructure development in the state.

Vikram Solar signs MoU for Rs 15,037 crore BESS plant in Tamil Nadu

Vikram Solar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing facility at Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli district. The proposed project involves an investment of Rs 15,037 crore and is expected to generate 2,670 jobs. The facility will expand the company’s manufacturing footprint beyond its recently commissioned solar PV module plant at the same location. The project is intended to strengthen battery manufacturing capacity in the state.

Powergrid wins Rajasthan REZ transmission project under TBCB

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Powergrid) has emerged as the successful bidder for the interstate transmission project “Augmentation at Bhadla-III, Ramgarh PS and Kanpur (PG).” The project will be implemented under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. It includes augmentation works at substations in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to facilitate renewable energy evacuation. Commercial operation is scheduled by January 20, 2029.

BlackSoil acquires Credit Fair’s solar financing business

BlackSoil has acquired the solar financing business of Credit Fair, subject to necessary approvals. The acquisition includes the management team, technology platform, brand and operating infrastructure, with Credit Fair currently managing Assets Under Management (AUM) of Rs 152.6 crore. Credit Fair has processed over 3.5 lakh loans and disbursed more than Rs 1,300 crore since 2018. The transaction marks BlackSoil’s entry into renewable energy financing.

Havells partners with Norway’s Pixii to develop BESS for India

Havells India Limited has partnered with Norway’s Pixii AS to develop Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solutions for the Indian market. The collaboration will focus on residential, commercial and industrial applications through a phased localisation strategy. The roadmap includes pilot deployments, product co-development and local manufacturing in India. Havells estimates the Indian residential and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) BESS market could reach approximately Rs 10,000-12,000 crore by FY30.

World Bank approves financing for PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar programme

The World Bank has approved a financing package for the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana programme. The package includes an USD 820 million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan, a USD 60 million concessional loan from the Clean Technology Fund, and a USD 10 million grant from the IBRD’s Livable Planet Fund. The World Bank also expects to mobilise USD 4.2 billion in private financing. The programme aims to support rooftop solar adoption across 10 million rural and urban households.

Konstec Engineers, HCC form JV for nuclear infrastructure projects in India

Konstec Engineers Limited and Hindustan Construction Company Limited (HCC) have formed a joint venture to bid for and execute nuclear infrastructure projects in India. HCC will hold a 74% stake while Konstec Engineers will own 26%. The venture will undertake Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) work covering design, engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of nuclear infrastructure. It will participate in upcoming tenders for isotope production reactor facilities and associated systems.

Serentica secures USD 345.1 million for Karnataka hybrid project

Serentica Renewables has secured debt financing of up to USD 345.1 million for a solar-wind hybrid project in Koppal, Karnataka. The financing is led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with additional funding mobilised from Export-Import Bank of India, New Development Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The project comprises 191.4 MW of solar PV capacity and 204 MW of wind capacity. It will supply round-the-clock renewable energy to Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) under the group captive model.

MNRE extends self-certification deadline for large solar inverters to Dec 2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the self-certification deadline for solar photovoltaic (SPV) inverters above 200 kW until December 31, 2026. The extension applies to manufacturers holding valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates corresponding to prescribed Indian standards. The decision cites limited availability of testing facilities. Manufacturers must continue submitting reports from accredited testing laboratories.

Advait Energy wins PGVCL underground cabling contracts worth Rs 250 crore

Advait Energy Transitions Limited has secured four turnkey contracts from Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) worth about Rs 250.59 crore. The projects involve converting overhead 11 kV HT and LT distribution networks into underground cable systems with ring main systems across multiple locations in Gujarat. The contracts also include GIS Mapping/Geo Urja Mapping and asset tagging. All four projects have an execution period of 18 months.

TotalEnergies exits 170 MW distributed solar business in Europe

TotalEnergies has completed the sale of its approximately 170 MW distributed solar portfolio across seven European countries. The assets have been acquired by Amarenco and AMPYR Distributed Energy. The company said the divestment aligns with its strategy of focusing on large utility-scale renewable energy projects. TotalEnergies plans to continue expanding its renewable energy portfolio towards more than 75 GW by 2030.