Power Sector News Roundup for July 13, 2026
Lower Sileru hydro project completes Unit-5 stator lowering
The Lower Sileru Hydro Electric Project in Andhra Pradesh has completed the successful lowering of the 220 MT Unit-5 stator as part of its ongoing expansion. The activity was carried out by PES Engineers Pvt. Ltd. and Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd., with support from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The project, operated by Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO), is expanding from 460 MW to 690 MW through the addition of two 115 MW generating units. The hydro station has an annual generation capacity of around 1,050 million units.
NPCIL completes largest-ever reactor foundation pour at Kaiga
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has completed the largest continuous reactor foundation concrete pour for an Indian Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at the Kaiga Units 5 and 6 project. Around 7,250 cubic metres of concrete were poured despite southwest monsoon conditions using specialised engineering measures. The milestone advances construction of the two 700 MW PHWR units under the Make in India initiative. It follows the successful unloading of the first End Shield at the project in June.
NHPC signs PPA with TSECL for 1,720 MW Kamala hydro project
NHPC Limited has signed a 40-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd. (TSECL) for power from the 1,720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement was signed on July 10, 2026, during Destination Tripura: Business Conclave 2026. The project will be developed on the Kamala River with a 216 m high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse. It is expected to generate 6,869.92 million units annually at a current estimated cost of Rs 26,069.50 crore.
Adani, Dioxycle to build India’s first renewable-powered formic acid plant
Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) has entered a long-term partnership with French clean-technology company Dioxycle to develop low-carbon chemical manufacturing in India. The collaboration will begin with a pilot facility producing formic acid using captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) and renewable electricity. The initiative marks Adani Group’s entry into the chemicals sector and aims to scale commercial production after successful validation. The announcement was disclosed to stock exchanges on July 10, 2026.
Solar developers get till July 23 to file ALMM List-II exemptions
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has re-opened the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) portal for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II exemption applications until July 23, 2026. The extension follows stakeholder requests after the original June 30 deadline. ALMM List-II covers solar cells, and the exemption mechanism protects projects that had already made investments or procurement commitments. Applications will be accepted only through the online portal.
GUVNL discovers Rs 3.51/kWh in 250 MW wind auction
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has concluded its 250 MW wind power e-reverse auction, with a Greenshoe option for another 250 MW. The lowest discovered tariff was Rs 3.51/kWh, with Powerica, NLC India Renewables and Juniper Green Energy emerging as the lowest bidders. The tender provides for 25-year PPAs, financial closure within 12 months and commissioning within 24 months. The projects can be developed anywhere in India.
CERC unveils one-time framework to unlock 15.7 GW of stranded transmission connectivity
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has introduced a one-time framework to release nearly 15.7 GW of transmission connectivity blocked by legacy Letters of Award (LoAs) that did not result in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The order applies to LoAs issued between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2025, with unsigned PPAs for more than 12 months. Developers will have 60 days to choose from four options covering retention, replacement, surrender or continuation under existing regulations. The released connectivity will be reallocated or auctioned by the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL).
AmpereHour Energy opens 5 GWh BESS manufacturing facility in Pune
AmpereHour Energy has inaugurated a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing and integration facility at Chakan, Pune, with a planned manufacturing capacity of 5 GWh. The plant will produce Make in India cabinet and containerised Battery DC-AC Blocks for utility-scale and commercial & industrial (C&I) applications. It incorporates the company’s proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) and AH-Suite digital quality platform. The company said the facility marks its transition from a BESS technology integrator to a manufacturer.
LONGi begins mass production of ACM solar cell technology
LONGi has commenced mass production of its Advanced Contact Matrix (ACM) solar cells at one of its manufacturing bases. The ACM solar cell has achieved a certified conversion efficiency of 27.6%, while the corresponding module has received certification for a maximum power output of 672 W. The company said the technology improves mass-production conversion efficiency by 0.2-0.3 percentage points and increases module output by 3-5 W. LONGi plans to expand ACM production across multiple manufacturing sites.
NTPC approves Rs 20,456 crore investment for Lara Stage-III expansion
NTPC Limited’s Board has approved an investment of Rs 20,456.70 crore for the Stage-III expansion of the Lara Super Thermal Power Project in Chhattisgarh. The expansion will add two 800 MW coal-fired units, increasing the plant’s installed capacity from 1,600 MW to 3,200 MW. The approval was granted during the Board meeting held on July 11, 2026. The project forms part of NTPC’s ongoing capacity addition programme.
PGCIL wins Krishnagiri REZ Phase-I transmission project
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has received the Letter of Intent (LoI) for the Transmission System for integration of Krishnagiri REZ Phase-I under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route. The interstate project will be executed on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis within 30 months. It includes two new 765/400 kV substations, transmission lines across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, and associated transmission infrastructure. The system will facilitate renewable energy evacuation from the Krishnagiri Renewable Energy Zone.
Vikran Engineering approves Rs 4,560 crore support for solar subsidiaries
Vikran Engineering Limited has approved corporate guarantees of up to Rs 3,400 crore and promoter contribution of up to Rs 1,160 crore for its wholly owned subsidiaries developing solar power projects. The guarantees will help the subsidiaries secure financing from banks and financial institutions. The promoter contribution may be made through equity, unsecured loans, Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs), Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) or quasi-equity instruments. The final funding structure will depend on project financing requirements.
JSW Energy unit secures Rs 444 crore BESS order from Bondada Renewable
JSW Energy PSP Eleven Limited (JEPEL), a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited, has secured orders worth Rs 443.74 crore from Bondada Renewable Energy Private Limited. The order covers 200 MW/400 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Power Conversion Systems (PCS). The equipment will be supplied from JEPEL’s 5 GWh battery assembly facility in Pune. JSW Energy currently has a locked-in energy storage portfolio of 29.6 GWh.
Pace Digitek subsidiary signs BESS supply MoU with Bondada Renewable
Pace Digitek Limited’s material subsidiary, Lineage Power Private Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bondada Renewable Energy Private Limited. The agreement covers the supply of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), DC Blocks, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) BESS cabinets, residential BESS, Power Conversion Systems (PCS), Energy Management Systems (EMS) and battery containers. Pace Digitek said the transaction is not a related party transaction. Commercial terms will be determined under the MoU.
RECPDCL incorporates SPV for Nawada–Durgapur transmission project
REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited, has incorporated Nawada Durgapur Power Transmission Limited. The special purpose vehicle will implement the interstate transmission scheme “ERES-47: Nawada–Durgapur–Jeerat (New) 765 kV corridor” under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mechanism. The project includes new substations in Bihar and West Bengal, 765 kV transmission lines and associated equipment. It is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2029.
Assam’s 2026-27 Budget bets big on pumped storage and green energy
The Assam government has announced a planned investment of Rs 77,353 crore in the power sector under the 2026-27 Budget. The programme includes four Pumped Storage Power (PSP) projects with a combined capacity of 4,900 MW, over Rs 9,000 crore under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and continued renewable energy expansion. The Budget also extends the electricity duty exemption on captive renewable energy consumption until March 31, 2029. The proposed investments will be financed through state funding, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Externally Aided Projects and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).