Power Sector News Roundup for July 30, 2026

MNRE rescinds March 2024 order on ALMM implementation timeline

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has rescinded with immediate effect its Office Memorandum (O.M.) No. 283/16/2023-GRID SOLAR dated March 29, 2024, which had clarified the implementation timeline for the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) requirement for solar PV modules. Renewable power projects that have not yet been commissioned may continue to seek exemption under the provisions of the earlier O.M., with requests received within a reasonable period to be examined on a case-to-case basis. MNRE said this is a “removal of difficulties” mechanism and does not constitute a general exemption from ALMM requirements. The March 29, 2024 O.M. had clarified that the ALMM requirement would take effect from April 1, 2024.

NLC India Renewables gets GUVNL LoI for 900 MW solar project

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited, has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for development of a 900 MW solar power project in Gujarat. The project was awarded through a Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process, with the electricity generated from the 900 MW capacity to be procured by GUVNL. NLC India aims to add around 2 GW of renewable capacity by the end of the current financial year, towards targets of 8 GW by 2028 and 10 GW by 2030. Around 3 GW of projects are under active development, while NIRL’s proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO) is currently targeted for September 2026.

Middle East tensions drive up costs for Adani’s HVDC transmission project

The Maharashtra Transmission Committee (MTC) has recommended a revised cost of Rs 14,143 crore for Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited – Transmission’s (AEML-T) 1,000 MW Aarey-Kudus High Voltage Direct Current-Voltage Source Converter (HVDC-VSC) Pole-2 scheme. AEML-T attributed the escalation to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, supply chain disruptions and a global demand-supply imbalance for VSC-based HVDC systems. MTC recommended the revised proposal for submission to the Grid Coordination Committee (GCC) for approval. AEML-T also sought approval for a revised cost of Rs 843.13 crore for the 220 kV Malad Extra High Voltage (EHV) Scheme, based on the latest Schedule of Rates (SOR) for FY 2026-27.

L&T secures NTPC order for 2×800 MW Lara Stage-III thermal project

L&T Energy CarbonLite Solutions, a business vertical of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has secured a Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) from NTPC Ltd for the main plant package of the 2×800 MW Lara Stage-III thermal power project in Chhattisgarh. The Stage-III expansion comprises two 800 MW coal-fired generating units, adding another 1,600 MW and doubling the plant’s total installed capacity to 3,200 MW. L&T will execute the package on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis using ultra-supercritical technology. The full Notice to Proceed will be issued after the project receives environmental clearance and completion of the LNTP period.

Tata Power finalises Odisha for 10 GW solar ingot-wafer plant

Tata Power has finalised Gopalpur in Odisha for its Rs 6,675 crore, 10 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility at the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Ganjam district. The project is planned in two phases of 5 GW each, with the first targeted for commissioning by January 2028 and the second approximately six months later, by mid-2028. Tata Power had previously considered Andhra Pradesh before selecting Odisha, supported by the state’s incentive package, lower electricity tariffs and immediate availability of a 128-acre land block. Land has been acquired, site development is underway and ground construction is scheduled to begin by October 2026.

AFRY India wins PMC contract for HPPCL’s 191 MW Thana Plaun hydro project

AFRY India has signed a contract with Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) to provide Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services for the 191 MW Thana Plaun Hydroelectric Project. The Rs 15.30 billion storage-cum-run-of-river project is located near the confluence of Rana Khad and the River Beas. It comprises a 105 m-high concrete gravity dam with a power intake, an underground penstock, an underground powerhouse at the toe of the left bank and underground tailrace tunnels. AFRY India’s role will focus on project execution and engineering requirements, including technical standards, safety, sustainability and project delivery.

Seven Rajasthan cities set to get new EV charging hubs

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Alwar and Jodhpur under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The tender comprises seven packages, including two for Jaipur, with a combined estimated project value of more than Rs 100 crore and chargers ranging from Light EV DC chargers of up to 12 kW to Combined Charging System-II (CCS-II) DC chargers of 50 kW to 250 kW. The project will operate under a revenue-sharing model for 10 years, extendable by up to five years, with selected bidders paying a fixed land usage charge of Rs 1 per kWh of electricity sold along with a revenue share from the service charge component. Selected bidders must complete energization and onboard all EV chargers on the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) portal within six months of issuance of the Letter of Award.

Rajasthan and Uttarakhand face power deficit warning for August

The Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) has flagged resource adequacy gaps for August 2026, with Rajasthan projected to face a shortfall of about 5,140 MW during non-solar hours and Uttarakhand a peak deficit of around 360 MW. Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) has arranged 441 MW for 00:00–07:00 hrs, 241 MW for 07:00–19:00 hrs and 441 MW for 19:00–24:00 hrs, while Rajasthan State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) subsequently reported an additional tie-up of 1,268 MW. Uttarakhand SLDC reported that the Distribution Company (DISCOM) has sought 200 MW from the unallocated power share and approached the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) for approval of long-duration contracts. Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh also show deficits of 3,690 MW, 460 MW, 1,230 MW and 200 MW, respectively, during specified solar or non-solar periods.

Planning fixes must come before bidding, NCT tells transmission agencies

The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has directed transmission planning and bidding agencies to thoroughly vet technical, operational and implementation issues before projects are approved and taken to bidding. The directive was issued at the NCT’s 42nd meeting on July 7, 2026, following observations by the Ministry of Power (MoP) about planning-related issues emerging during bidding and implementation. Bid Process Coordinators (BPCs), including REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) and PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL), have been asked to undertake detailed surveys and identify required modifications before projects progress through bidding. The Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) has also been directed to bring matters requiring modification or ratification before the NCT at the earliest stage.

RECPDCL transfers Bhadla Ramgarh, Shongtong transmission SPVs

REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) transferred two project-specific Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) on July 29, 2026, to successful bidders selected through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process. Bhadla Ramgarh Power Transmission Limited was transferred to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for cash consideration of approximately Rs 12.86 crore, while Shongtong Power Transmission Limited was transferred to Terralight Solar Energy Tinwari Private Limited (TSETPL) for Rs 20,40,66,599, including taxes, professional fees and reimbursement of expenses. The Bhadla Ramgarh project covers augmentation and bay extension works at Bhadla-III Substation and Ramgarh Substation in Rajasthan, and Kanpur Substation in Uttar Pradesh. The Shongtong project will create evacuation infrastructure for Shongtong Karcham HEP (450 MW) and Tidong HEP (150 MW) in Himachal Pradesh.

MNRE advises 10% DC capacity tolerance for PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has advised Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and Electricity Departments to allow up to 10% tolerance in the DC capacity of rooftop solar systems while processing net metering applications under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). The advisory addresses cases where applications were being returned because installed DC module capacity marginally exceeded the applied system capacity or permitted inverter AC capacity. MNRE said the tolerance can be allowed provided the inverter’s AC capacity does not exceed the sanctioned load or maximum inverter capacity permitted under applicable regulations. For a 5 kW system, nine modules providing 4.86 kW DC or 10 modules providing 5.40 kW DC can be accepted, while the inverter must remain restricted to 5 kW AC.

ACME Solar Q1 PAT rises 80% to Rs 235 crore; revenue reaches Rs 954 crore

ACME Solar Holdings Limited has secured long-term project funding of Rs 3,404.57 crore from Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) for its 250 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) project through ACME Urja One Private Limited (Phase-III). PFC is the sole financier, with the debt carrying a repayment tenor of 19 years, while ACME Solar’s total project funding raised during the current fiscal has reached Rs 6,051 crore. The project combines solar and wind generation with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with facilities at Fategarh-II in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and Jamkhambhaliya in Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat. ACME Solar has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NHPC Limited at a tariff of Rs 4.33/unit, and commissioning is expected next year.

BHEL secures largest-ever GTG supply order from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured an order from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Free Zone Enterprise, Nigeria, for eight Gas Turbine Generator (GTG) packages. The contract covers supply and supervision of erection and commissioning and is BHEL’s largest-ever single order on a supply and supervision basis for GTG packages in terms of both quantity and value. The equipment will be manufactured at BHEL’s facilities in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. BHEL has supplied nearly 250 Gas Turbines to date, with overseas customers accounting for more than 20% of these supplies.

Inox Wind secures Rs 1,600 crore turnkey order from NLC India

Inox Wind Limited (IWL) has secured a repeat turnkey order of 200 MW from NLC India Limited, with an approximate contract value of Rs 1,600 crore. The project is scheduled to be commissioned within 24 months from the date of the Letter of Award (LoA). IWL will undertake end-to-end execution, including supply of Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs), Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), and post-commissioning operations and maintenance services. The order takes IWL’s order book to 4.7 GW across Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

NGEL commissions 50 MW solar capacity at Rajasthan RTC project

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has declared commercial operation of the third part capacity of 50 MW solar capacity at a 100 MW Renewable Energy Round The Clock (RTC) project in Rajasthan. The capacity forms part of the project’s cumulative 150 MW solar component and became commercially operational from 00:00 hours on July 31, 2026. The project is being developed by Project Eleven Renewable Power Private Limited, a step-down subsidiary of ONGC NTPC Green Private Limited, a joint venture entity. The addition increases the NGEL group’s commercial capacity from 10,786.56 MW to 10,836.56 MW, while NTPC group’s total installed capacity stands at 91,080 MW and commercial capacity at 90,000 MW.

ACME Solar Q1 PAT rises 80% to Rs 235 crore; revenue reaches Rs 954 crore

ACME Solar Holdings Limited reported consolidated total revenue of Rs 954 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, up 63.3% year-on-year, while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased 80% to Rs 235 crore. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose 56.5% to Rs 831 crore, while the company sold 2,020 million units (MUs), up 23.4% from Q1 FY26. ACME Solar commissioned approximately 2.3 GWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity during the quarter, taking cumulative commissioned capacity to approximately 3.62 GWh, and now expects to commission more than 10 GWh by FY27. Its under-construction Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)-signed portfolio stands at 3,880 MW after signing PPAs for 600 MW during Q1 FY27.

Waaree Energies commissions 118.8 MW at Neemuch Solar Park

Waaree Energies Limited has commissioned 118.8 MW of the 170 MW capacity of Unit 3 at its Solar Power Facility in Neemuch Solar Park, Madhya Pradesh. The part capacity was commissioned on July 28, 2026, with the remaining capacity expected to be commissioned in due course. The project forms part of Waaree Energies’ expanding renewable energy project development portfolio. The company reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 7,931.79 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased 15.39% to Rs 891.87 crore.

Waaree Energies Q1 revenue rises 79% to Rs 7,932 crore

Waaree Energies Limited reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 7,931.79 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, up 79.22% year-on-year from Rs 4,425.83 crore in Q1 FY26. Operating Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) increased 44.38% to Rs 1,439.92 crore, while Profit After Tax (PAT) rose 15.39% to Rs 891.87 crore. The company produced 3.24 GW of modules during Q1 FY27 and added new orders worth approximately Rs 16,000 crore, taking its total order book to approximately Rs 61,500 crore. Its 10 GW solar cell manufacturing facility at Unn, Gujarat, is expected to commence production during the current financial year, while 5.15 GWh of automated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) container manufacturing has commenced at Rola, Gujarat.