Power Sector News Roundup for July 20, 2026
Tidal Sails, CESHS sign MoU for 500 kW tidal energy pilot in Arunachal Pradesh
Norway-based Tidal Sails AS and the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop and demonstrate a 500 kW tidal energy pilot project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project will deploy the company’s RiverSails technology to generate electricity by harnessing kinetic energy from moving river currents. The pilot installation is intended to demonstrate the technical and operational feasibility of the technology under Indian conditions. If successful, it could provide a decentralized renewable energy option for remote and difficult-to-access regions.
EAC clears path for 4.7 GW of hydro and pumped storage projects
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects has advanced proposals for 4,700 MW of hydroelectric and pumped storage capacity across Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. The committee recommended environmental clearance for the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project and the 1,000 MW Naying Hydro Electric Project, while granting Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 1,000 MW Ambapani Pumped Storage Project and the 2,100 MW Pimpalpada Savale Pumped Storage Project. The projects collectively represent investments exceeding Rs 31,000 crore. They are currently at different stages of the environmental clearance process.
MNRE extends ALMM List-II exemption for net-metering, open access projects
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the exemption from Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II requirements for solar PV cells for net-metering and open access renewable energy projects until December 31, 2026. The decision was communicated through an Office Memorandum dated July 18, 2026, superseding earlier memorandums issued between May and June 2026. Eligible projects commissioned up to December 31, 2026, will be permitted to proceed without complying with domestic solar cell sourcing requirements. Projects commissioned after that date will be required to comply with ALMM List-II provisions.
DCM Shriram expands Bharuch renewable capacity with two new projects
DCM Shriram Limited has announced two investments to increase renewable energy use across its manufacturing operations at Bharuch, Gujarat. The company has signed an agreement for a 58 MW peak hybrid renewable energy project with Serentica Renewables India 38 Private Limited and separately approved an investment of Rs 217 crore to add approximately 48 MW of renewable energy capacity at the Bharuch manufacturing facility of DCM Shriram Chemicals. Both projects are targeted for completion by June 2027. Following commissioning, DCM Shriram’s total renewable energy capacity across its Bharuch and Kota facilities is expected to reach 176 MW (peak).
Puga geothermal project completes two wells in Ladakh
The Puga Geothermal Project in Ladakh has completed geothermal wells GT#02 and GT#03, marking a significant milestone for India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project. The milestone was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena. The project is being implemented jointly by ONGC Energy Centre, the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Leh. In addition to electricity generation, the geothermal resource is being evaluated for applications including space heating, greenhouse cultivation, food processing and geotourism.
PGCIL wins Fatehgarh-II synchronous condenser project
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has emerged as the successful bidder for the installation of two Synchronous Condenser (SynCon) units at the 765/400/220 kV Fatehgarh-II Pooling Station under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mechanism. The company received the Letter of Intent (LoI) for the project on July 17, 2026. The project will be implemented on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. It is intended to strengthen voltage support and improve grid stability at the Fatehgarh-II Pooling Station.
THDC commissions 11 MW floating solar plant at Khurja STPP
THDC India Limited has declared the commercial operation date (COD) of an 11 MWac floating solar power plant at the Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (STPP). The project, installed on the raw water reservoir of the thermal power station, commenced commercial operations on July 17, 2026. Following commissioning, NTPC Group’s total installed capacity has increased to 90,965 MW, while its commercial capacity has reached 89,885 MW. THDC India Limited’s installed and commercial capacity has increased to 3,918 MW.
Laser Power’s Rs 4.15 crore order marks India’s first AECC project
Laser Power & Infra Limited has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for the supply and installation of High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors under a turnkey reconductoring project in the Nalagarh Electrical Division of Himachal Pradesh. The order is valued at approximately Rs 4.15 crore and marks the company’s first commercial deployment of advanced conductor technology under its manufacturing agreement with TS Conductor Corp., USA. The project will deploy Aluminium Encapsulated Carbon Core Conductors manufactured in India using TS Conductor’s proprietary pre-tensioned carbon fibre composite core technology. According to the company, the conductors can deliver two to three times the power carrying capacity of conventional Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) conductors while reducing line losses.