Power Sector News Roundup for June 8, 2026

APTEL quashes MSEDCL’s 2,000 MW BESS bidding process

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has set aside the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC) order dated March 6, 2026, which had adopted a tariff of Rs 1,65,998 per MW per month for a 2,000 MW / 4,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The Tribunal also quashed the entire competitive bidding process initiated by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). APTEL held that the Ministry of Power’s (MoP) December 31, 2025 letter introducing a 6,300-cycle contractual condition materially altered the bid framework after submission of bids. The Tribunal directed MSEDCL to return all security deposits and bank guarantees within four weeks and quashed all letters of intent issued under the tender process.

Chandigarh STU proposes Rs 158 crore transmission upgrade plan

The State Transmission Utility (STU) of Chandigarh has submitted a five-year business plan before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), proposing capital expenditure of Rs 158.34 crore on substations, underground cabling, and transmission upgrades. The proposal includes new substations at Sector-34 and Sector-26, underground transmission links from Hallomajra, and replacement of ageing transformers at the BBMB substation. The utility plans to add 60 MVA transmission capacity and reduce transmission losses from 5.80% to 5.20% by FY 2029-30. Separately, the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) has proposed Rs 48 crore investment for a new building and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) infrastructure.

GERC proposes extension of green open access banking charges till August 2026

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has released draft fifth amendment regulations proposing extension of the existing banking charge of Rs 1.50 per unit under the Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2024. The charge is proposed to continue until August 31, 2026, or until revised charges are separately notified. GERC stated that a study to develop a long-term banking charge framework is still under progress and requires additional data analysis. Pending finalisation of the framework, the Commission has proposed continuation of the existing charge as an interim measure.

MNRE eases ALMM norms for higher wattage solar PV modules

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines allowing enlistment of higher wattage solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) without fresh factory inspection under specified conditions. Manufacturers can enlist modules with up to a 3% increase in wattage over the highest listed model if there is no change in manufacturing facility, production line, or machinery. For increases beyond 3%, the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) will conduct online inspection focused on current-voltage (I-V) curve verification. MNRE clarified that the relaxation will not result in any increase in enlisted manufacturing capacity.

MNRE forms panel on ALMM exemptions for solar projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has constituted an Expert Committee to examine requests from net-metering and open access solar projects seeking commissioning extensions and exemptions from ALMM List-II requirements for solar PV cells. The Committee will review applications submitted through a portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and make project-specific recommendations to MNRE. The Ministry has also delegated decision-making powers to States and Union Territories for projects up to 10 MW (AC). MNRE has fixed June 30, 2026 as the deadline for submission of claims through the NISE portal.

Ganesh Green wins 1 GWh BESS EPC order from NTPC REL

Ganesh Green Bharat Ltd (GGBL) has secured a 1 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL). The company stated that the order marks its expansion into the energy storage segment and strengthens its position in grid-scale battery storage projects. GGBL reported revenue of Rs 1,064.26 crore in FY26 compared to Rs 321.76 crore in FY25, while profit after tax increased to Rs 75.18 crore. The company stated that its current order book stands at around Rs 2,212 crore.

Dahej industrial park pilots hydrogen-based long-duration storage

Payal Industrial Park (PIP) in Dahej, Gujarat, has partnered with Bay Area-based startup Fourier to deploy a hydrogen-powered long-duration energy storage system for industrial operations. The system is designed to provide backup power ranging from 12 hours to one week during grid outages. Fourier stated that the project combines battery-based rapid response capability with on-site hydrogen production and storage. The companies said the pilot aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission and could serve as a model for other industrial corridors.

GE Vernova to supply 100 MW wind project in Gujarat

GE Vernova Inc. has signed an agreement with Powerica Limited to supply 28 units of its 3.8 MW–154m onshore wind turbines for the 100 MW Botad Wind Farm in Gujarat. The project marks the first deployment of GE Vernova’s 3.8 MW–154m turbine in India. Powerica secured the project through a Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) auction at a tariff of Rs 3.44 per unit for around 106.40 MW capacity. GE Vernova stated that the turbines will be manufactured at its Pune facility.

Inox Clean to acquire Vena Energy India platform for Rs 6,000 crore

Inox Clean Energy Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% equity interests in Vena Energy India Holdings Pte Ltd in a transaction estimated at around Rs 6,000 crore. The portfolio includes around 1 GW of operational renewable energy assets, 1.7 GW of advanced-stage projects, and additional solar, wind, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) pipeline capacity. Following completion, Inox Clean Energy’s operating and near-operational portfolio is expected to rise to around 4 GW. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Bluspring subsidiary wins Rs 2,049.8 crore BALCO O&M contract

Bluspring Enterprises Limited has announced that its wholly owned step-down subsidiary, STEAG Energy Services (India) Private Limited, has secured a 60-month operations and maintenance (O&M) contract from Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO). The contract covers comprehensive O&M services for BALCO’s 1,740 MW power plant and has an estimated value of Rs 2,049.8 crore. Bluspring acquired STEAG Energy in March 2026 as part of its expansion in the power sector O&M segment. STEAG India currently manages nearly 7 GW of assets.

BHEL secures Rs 21,000 crore Meja Stage-II EPC contract

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has received a Notification of Award (NOA) from Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL) for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package of the 3×800 MW Meja Supercritical Thermal Power Project Stage-II in Uttar Pradesh. The contract value is over Rs 21,000 crore excluding GST. The scope includes design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the 2,400 MW project. The project is scheduled for completion within 70 months from the June 4, 2026 NOA date.

GPIL invests Rs 100 crore in energy storage subsidiary

Godawari Power and Ispat Limited (GPIL) has infused an additional Rs 100 crore into its wholly owned subsidiary, Godawari New Energy Private Limited (GNEPL), through a rights-based equity allotment. The funds will support capital expenditure and working capital requirements for the first phase of a planned 20 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing plant. Following the investment, GPIL’s total investment in GNEPL has increased to Rs 450 crore. Earlier in April 2026, GNEPL entered into a five-year lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cell supply agreement with EVE Power Co., Ltd.

HCC wins Rs 127 crore Bhutan hydropower contract

Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. (HCC) has secured a Rs 127 crore contract from Wangchhu Hydroelectric Power Limited (WHPL), Bhutan, for diversion tunnels, hydromechanical gates, and cofferdams associated with the Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project. The contract is scheduled for completion within nine months. The 570 MW Wangchhu Project was formally launched in January 2026 and is targeted for commissioning within five years. HCC stated that it has been operating in Bhutan for more than three decades.

Maruti Suzuki to invest Rs 925 crore in green energy by FY31

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced plans to invest Rs 925 crore by FY 2030–31 in green energy initiatives including biogas and solar power projects. The company will establish a 10 tonnes per day biogas plant at its Kharkhoda facility and expand renewable energy use across manufacturing operations. Maruti Suzuki stated that its total solar capacity has increased from 49 MWp to 79 MWp over the past year. The company also plans to increase sourcing of green power from State Electricity Boards.

IIT Guwahati develops perovskite technology for solar and memory devices

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a hybrid perovskite semiconductor technology for high-efficiency solar cells and resistive-switching memory devices. The team achieved solar cell efficiency of 25.73% using molecular interface engineering techniques with ultrathin organic layers. The technology also demonstrated stable low-power switching and multistate memory behaviour in resistive random-access memory devices. The research has resulted in multiple patent filings and publications in Advanced Functional Materials.

MKC Green wins 125 MW BESS project in Uttar Pradesh

MKC Green Energy Limited has secured a Letter of Award for development of a 125 MW / 500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Uttar Pradesh. The project will be connected to the Uttar Pradesh State Transmission Utility (UP-STU) grid and has received Viability Gap Funding support under the Power System Development Fund Scheme. The project forms part of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited’s larger 375 MW / 1,500 MWh BESS procurement programme. MKC Green secured the capacity at a tariff of Rs 6.46 per unit.

Adani Solar, Waaree and Premier Energies make Wood Mackenzie’s Grade A solar module list for 2026

Indian solar manufacturers strengthened their position in the Global Solar PV Module Manufacturer Ranking 2026 published by Wood Mackenzie. Adani Solar emerged as the highest-ranked Indian company, while Waaree and Premier Energies were also included among Grade A module suppliers. The report assessed 48 manufacturers across ten countries and noted that non-Chinese manufacturers benefited from localisation policies and trade barriers. Wood Mackenzie stated that Chinese manufacturers collectively recorded losses of around USD 5.5 billion in 2025 due to global oversupply.

Cabinet approves Rs 9,585 crore Delhi-NCR clean mobility scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved a two-year clean mobility scheme with a total outlay of Rs 9,585 crore aimed at reducing air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The scheme targets replacement of Bharat Stage-IV and older trucks and buses with Bharat Stage-VI compliant or electric vehicles. Around 2.07 lakh vehicle owners are expected to benefit through interest subvention, fuel vouchers, tax concessions, and scrappage-linked incentives. The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in coordination with NCR states.

KPTCL begins shift to biodegradable ester oil in transformers

The Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has initiated the transition from conventional mineral oil to biodegradable natural ester oil in its high-voltage transformer network. KPTCL stated that the move is intended to improve fire safety, reduce environmental risks, and enhance transformer life. Ester oil-based transformers are increasingly being adopted for critical infrastructure and urban applications due to lower fire risk characteristics. The initiative forms part of KPTCL’s transmission modernisation programme.

Brazil tests ethanol engine for thermal power generation

Brazil has launched a project described as the world’s first large-scale thermal power engine designed to run almost entirely on ethanol. The project has been implemented at the Suape II power plant in Pernambuco by Suape Energia and Wärtsilä. The demonstration programme will test operational performance, emissions, and commercial viability of ethanol-based electricity generation. Developers stated that the project aims to support dispatchable generation alongside renewable energy sources.

Turkey, Azerbaijan plan new electricity corridor to Europe

Turkey and Azerbaijan have announced plans to establish a new electricity corridor connecting the Caspian region with Southeast Europe. The proposal involves Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bulgaria and is being positioned as an electricity-sector equivalent of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP). Turkey also announced a $30 billion investment programme for transmission and distribution infrastructure over the next decade. Azerbaijan is simultaneously expanding transmission infrastructure linking Nakhchivan and Turkey.

Siemens Energy to acquire grid technology firm Camlin Group

Siemens Energy has signed an agreement to acquire Camlin Group, a Northern Ireland-based company specialising in grid monitoring and digitalisation technologies. Camlin Group will continue to operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary after completion of the transaction. Siemens Energy stated that the acquisition will strengthen its capabilities in sensor-based monitoring, analytics, and software-enabled grid intelligence. The deal is expected to close before the end of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals.

Global transformer supply constraints show signs of easing: Rystad

Global supply chain constraints for grid equipment are beginning to ease as manufacturers expand capacity and buyers diversify sourcing, according to a report by Rystad Energy. Lead times for large power transformers remain elevated at 2–3 years in Europe and North America, although growth in prices and lead times has slowed. Global transformer manufacturing capacity reached 4,700 GVA in 2025 and is projected to increase by over 10% by 2028. Rystad stated that India, Turkey, South Korea, and China are emerging as major export hubs for transformers and grid equipment.