Power Sector News Roundup for June 24, 2026

West Bengal budget plans new thermal plant, floating solar and 15 new substations

The West Bengal government has allocated Rs 5,345.16 crore to the Power Department in its 2026-27 budget, alongside Rs 305.87 crore for Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy Sources and Rs 100 crore for rooftop solar installations. The state plans to develop a 2×800 MW thermal power plant at Santhaldih under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and facilitate additional thermal projects through tariff-based competitive bidding. A Rs 2,000 crore floating solar project integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is also planned at Bakreshwar Dam. The budget further provides for 15 new 33/11 kV substations and Rs 200 crore for underground cabling projects in 12 towns.

Gemstar secures Rs 2,600 crore financing for Rajasthan smart meter projects

Gemstar Infra Pte. Ltd. has secured Rs 2,600 crore in financing from a consortium led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support deployment and operation of 13.6 million smart meters across 28 districts of Rajasthan under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The consortium includes IFC and India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL). The financing will be provided to Gemstar’s Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and is expected to improve billing accuracy, energy accounting, collection efficiency and reduction of aggregate technical and commercial losses. Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd will serve as the exclusive service provider for supply, installation and operations and maintenance of smart meters.

Himachal signs agreements for 19 hydropower projects worth Rs 3,336 crore

The Himachal Pradesh government has signed implementation agreements for 19 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 278 MW and an estimated investment of approximately Rs 3,336 crore. The state has also cancelled allotments of 15 projects due to limited implementation progress and plans to invite international bids for their development. Construction of the 150 MW Tidong Stage-I Hydroelectric Project has been completed. Himachal Pradesh currently has 189 commissioned hydropower projects totalling 12,588 MW, with another 54 projects of 1,528 MW under construction.

How foreign entities can connect to India’s grid under new CTU draft procedure

The Central Transmission Utility (CTU) has released the Draft Detailed Procedure for Connectivity and General Network Access (GNA) for Cross Border Trade of Electricity under Regulation 33A of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Cross Border Trade of Electricity) Regulations, 2019. Applications will be submitted through the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal and require specified approvals and bank guarantees. The draft prescribes an Application Bank Guarantee of Rs 50 lakh and a GNA Bank Guarantee of Rs 5 lakh per MW. Stakeholders can submit comments on the draft until July 8, 2026.

Substandard solar installations under PM Surya Ghar scheme to face vendor deactivation

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling complaints against vendors registered under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The framework establishes a time-bound grievance redressal process covering installation quality, safety compliance, consumer payments and after-sales service. Vendors failing to respond to complaints within prescribed timelines may face temporary deactivation from the national portal. The SOP also covers violations including use of substandard equipment, incomplete installations and non-compliance with Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) norms.

MNRE invites bids for PMU support under small hydro power scheme

MNRE has invited bids to appoint a consultancy firm for establishing a Project Management Unit (PMU) to support implementation of the Small Hydro Power (SHP) scheme from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The tender, published on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, has an estimated value of Rs 3.08 crore and a submission deadline of July 13, 2026. The selected firm will deploy a four-member team comprising a Team Lead, Programme Manager, Information Technology Expert and Executive Assistant. Eligible Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and DPIIT-recognised startups will receive specified exemptions under the tender.

PTC India, MAHAPREIT sign MoU to explore renewable energy opportunities

PTC India Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT) to explore opportunities across renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors. Areas of collaboration include renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, energy markets, power portfolio management and regulatory advisory services. The agreement aims to identify potential projects supporting the transition towards cleaner energy systems. MAHAPREIT is a subsidiary of Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation Limited (MPBCDC).

Uttar Pradesh records India’s highest-ever peak power demand

Uttar Pradesh recorded a peak electricity demand of 32,348 MW at 10:47 PM on June 21, 2026, the highest ever achieved by any state in India. The new record surpassed Maharashtra’s previous peak demand of 32,317 MW recorded on May 13, 2026. Demand in Uttar Pradesh rose steadily throughout June, crossing 30,000 MW on June 6 and reaching 31,894 MW on June 10. The increase has been driven by heatwave conditions, agricultural demand, industrial activity and expanding electricity access.

Rivers and waterfalls in Jharkhand may soon generate electricity for rural homes

The Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has initiated development of 16 small, mini and micro hydro power projects across Ranchi, Simdega, Gumla, Latehar and West Singhbhum districts. Developers have been invited to conduct detailed surveys and prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the identified sites. The projects are proposed on rivers including Karo, Sankh, Koel and Subarnarekha, as well as waterfall locations such as Dasham Fall, Jonha and Hundru. Development is planned under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.

NLC India and OREDA sign JV to develop 1,000 MW of renewable energy in Odisha

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) and the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) have signed a joint venture agreement to develop 1,000 MW of renewable energy projects in Odisha. The portfolio includes 525 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), 250 MW of wind power and 225 MW of floating solar projects. The partnership is expected to support Odisha’s renewable energy expansion and strengthen energy security. The projects form part of the state’s broader clean energy and infrastructure development strategy.

Vedanta Power seeks global partners for 15 GW thermal expansion

Vedanta Power Limited has invited expressions of interest from global manufacturers and engineering companies for Boiler-Turbine-Generator (BTG) and Balance of Plant (BoP) packages for its proposed 15,000 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power expansion programme. The company currently operates 4.8 GW of thermal power capacity across four states. Prospective partners may bid individually or as consortiums for equipment supply and project execution. The programme supports Vedanta Power’s long-term goal of expanding its generation portfolio to 20 GW.

Karnataka to get new high-voltage substation at Kodimuddanahalli

RK Infra Electricals Limited has secured a Rs 164.74 crore contract for establishing a 220/66/11 kV substation at Sirivara (Kodimuddanahalli), Karnataka. The project includes two 150 MVA transformers and two 20 MVA transformers. The substation is expected to strengthen transmission and distribution infrastructure while improving grid reliability in the region. RK Infra Electricals is a Bengaluru-based contractor with more than three decades of experience in the power sector.

DEE subsidiary wins Rs 64 crore wind tower order from Ganeko Solar

DEE Development Engineers Limited announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, DEE Fabricom India Private Limited, has secured a windmill tower supply order worth approximately Rs 64 crore, inclusive of GST, from Ganeko Solar Private Limited. The contract covers manufacturing of 15 EN156 Envision make windmill towers for 3.3 MW wind turbines. Completion is scheduled for January 2027. The order strengthens the company’s position in the wind energy supply chain.

NLC India, IOCL sign MoU for renewable energy JV in Tamil Nadu

NLC India Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture for large-scale renewable energy projects in Tamil Nadu. The proposed venture will develop solar, wind and hybrid projects along with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro storage. It will also explore opportunities in power supply, e-mobility, green synthetic fuels, chemicals and solar manufacturing. The collaboration supports NLCIL’s strategy to expand its clean energy portfolio.

Centre extends Section 11 directions for Tata Power’s Mundra plant

The Ministry of Power has extended the validity of directions issued under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for Tata Power Company Limited’s Mundra Thermal Power Plant until September 30, 2026. The directions were previously scheduled to expire on June 30, 2026. Section 11 allows the Central Government to direct generating companies to operate power stations in the interest of electricity supply and grid security. The extension ensures continued availability of generation capacity during a period of elevated power demand.

IRCON JV wins Rs 763 crore smart grid project in Agartala

IRCON International Limited, in joint venture with M/s Badri Rai & Company (BRC), has won a Rs 763.10 crore contract from Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) for smart grid development in Agartala. The project includes underground HT and LT cabling, SCADA, Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), Outage Management System (OMS), GIS integration and Optical Fiber Cable infrastructure. The contract is scheduled for completion within 24 months. The initiative aims to modernise power distribution and improve network reliability.

Solarium Green wins Rs 186 crore solar EPC order in Maharashtra

Solarium Green Energy Limited has received a Letter of Award for a 50 MW AC / 65 MW DC solar photovoltaic project in Maharashtra with an order value of approximately Rs 186.525 crore, excluding GST. The project will be executed on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis and includes 36 months of Operation and Maintenance services. The project is being implemented under Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO). The contract strengthens the company’s renewable energy execution portfolio.

NTPC declares commercial operation of 800 MW PVUNL Unit-2

NTPC Limited has declared commercial operation of Unit-2 (800 MW) of the Patratu Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) Phase-I being developed by Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL). The unit has been declared on commercial operation with effect from 00:00 hours on June 25, 2026. With Unit-2 entering commercial service, the project has now commissioned 1,600 MW of its planned 2,400 MW capacity. Following the declaration, the total installed capacity of the NTPC Group has increased to 90,857 MW and its commercial capacity to 89,777 MW.