Power Sector News Roundup for March 27, 2026

MoP directs CGPL to run imported coal plant at full capacity through June

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued directions to Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. (CGPL) under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, requiring full-capacity operation of its imported coal-based (ICB) plant from April 1 to June 30, 2026. A committee comprising MoP, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and NTPC Ltd. will set benchmark tariffs, reviewed every 15 days. The order includes provisions on payment security, coal cost benchmarking, and power allocation among Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) holders. Surplus power may be sold on exchanges, with profits shared between generator and procurers. Non-compliance may attract penalties, and similar directions may be extended to other ICB plants.

India commissions first NGHM green hydrogen plant at JSW Vijayanagar

India has reached a concrete milestone in its green hydrogen push, with the country’s first green hydrogen production facility under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) now operational ahead of schedule. The plant, developed by JSW Renewable Energy (Vijayanagar) Limited, is located within the JSW Vijayanagar Steel Complex in Ballari, Karnataka, with a capacity of 3,600 tonnes per annum. It operates on 25–27 MW of round-the-clock renewable power from captive solar and wind assets, using pressurized alkaline electrolysers. The hydrogen feeds directly into JSW Steel’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) process, while oxygen generated during electrolysis is used in the blast furnace. The facility was commissioned well before its February 2027 deadline.

JSW Energy completes Rs 700 crore acquisition of rail logistics arm

JSW Energy Limited has completed the acquisition of Raigarh Champa Rail Infrastructure Private Limited, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. The transaction follows a resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Hyderabad Bench on January 21, 2026, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). The total resolution value stands at Rs 700.10 crore, including cash consideration and non-convertible debentures (NCDs). The company provides railway logistics for coal transportation to JSW Mahanadi Power Company Limited (JMPCL), which operates a 3,600 MW thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh. Full ownership is expected to ensure uninterrupted coal supply logistics.

LG Electronics India signs 25-year solar PPAs for 20.8 MWp capacity

LG Electronics India has signed 25-year solar power purchase agreements with Hinduja Renewables and Sunsure Energy, covering 20.8 MWp of capacity for its manufacturing facilities. The Pune plant will receive 9.8 MWp from a 27.7 MWp solar plant in Nanded, Maharashtra, generating around 1.61 crore units annually and meeting about 40% of its energy needs. The Greater Noida facility will receive 11 MWp from an 82.5 MWp plant in Erach, Uttar Pradesh, supplying about 1.6 crore units annually and raising renewable share to about 50%. Combined, the PPAs will supply around 3.21 crore units annually and reduce emissions by 0.61 million metric tonnes of CO2e. The agreements also mark LG Electronics India’s first strategic equity investment in renewable energy SPVs.

Blueleaf commissions 300 MWp Pachora hybrid project in Madhya Pradesh

Blueleaf Energy has commissioned a 300 MWp hybrid power project in Madhya Pradesh, combining wind and solar generation. The project involves an investment of about Rs 1,900 crores ($230 million USD) and is expected to generate nearly 600 million units annually. Power will be supplied under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a leading Indian power trader, while environmental attributes are contracted through a 15-year International Renewable Energy Credits (I-RECs) agreement. The installation includes 35 wind turbines and a multi-site solar facility across 347 hectares. The project is expected to reduce emissions by about 550 kilotons of CO2 annually.

EAC grants Saundatti PSP ToR, defers Veeraballi EC

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Saundatti pumped storage project expansion and deferred Environmental Clearance (EC) for the Veeraballi project. The Saundatti project will expand from 1260 MW to 1600 MW, with land requirements increasing to 307.42 hectares and a revised design supplying peak power for about 6 hours daily. The project includes a Rs 34.95 crore Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) commitment and will proceed to EIA and EMP studies. The 1800 MW Veeraballi project was deferred due to concerns over land increase, forest diversion of 329.02 hectares, and pending approvals. The EAC also sought additional clarifications and directed revisions to project plans.

Oriana Power wins 32 MW solar EPC orders with 20 MWh storage

Oriana Power Private Limited has secured three EPC contracts for 32 MW of solar projects with 20 MWh of battery storage in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The total EPC value stands at Rs 162.68 crore, with an additional Rs 1 crore for two-year O&M. Kesari Alloys Private Limited awarded a 16 MW project with 10 MWh storage, valued at Rs 74.34 crore. Ramayana Ispat Private Limited and Duggar Fiber Private Limited each awarded 8 MW projects with 5 MWh storage, valued at Rs 44.17 crore each. The scope includes design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance. The company also recently incorporated three wholly owned subsidiaries.

Metafin secures $10 million debt to expand rural solar access

Solar financing startup Metafin has secured a $10 million structured debt facility from Lendable’s Transportation and Energy Fund to expand rural solar access in India. The company focuses on replacing diesel usage among small businesses and households through productive-use solar systems. It operates through a network of over 1,000 local installers supported by an in-house servicing arm. Metafin has financed over 6,500 solar installations across more than 4,000 villages in five states, displacing about 11 million litres of diesel and reducing over 30 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions. The funding will support solar adoption among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in underserved regions.

Azad Engineering signs turbine components supply deal with MHI

Azad Engineering Limited has signed an eight-year contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited to supply hot-section nozzle vane segments for gas turbine engines. The agreement marks the company’s transition into manufacturing critical combustion components for advanced turbine platforms. Production will take place at a dedicated lean manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. The contract expands Azad Engineering’s engagement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in global power generation markets. The financial value of the agreement has not been disclosed.