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CEA and IIT Roorkee sign MoU for joint work on power sector research

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On July 1, 2025, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and IIT Roorkee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on capacity building, research, and data sharing in the power sector. The MoU focuses on key areas: – Training CEA staff through IIT Roorkee’s online courses and short-term projects – Joint studies on decarbonization, energy efficiency, and just transition – Research on emerging technologies like green hydrogen, e-mobility, and battery recycling The MoU also…

Status of solar parks and UMREPPs across India as of March 2025

Status of solar parks and UMREPPs across India as of March 2025

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This table shows the current status of 55 solar parks and Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Projects (UMREPPs) across 15 states in India. It captures capacity, expected or actual completion dates, and key development milestones such as transmission progress, land acquisition, and commissioning status. Abbreviations used: APGENCO: Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation APSPCL: Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited CEA: Central Electricity Authority CTU: Central Transmission Utility CTUIL: Central Transmission Utility of India Limited…

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Arunachal forms JV with NEEPCO for 2.6 GW hydro projects, CEA invites EOIs

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The Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh has approved the formation of NEEPCO Arunachal Hydro Power Corporation, a joint venture between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO). The JV will implement five hydro electric projects (HEPs) with a combined capacity of 2,626 MW in the state. The approved projects are: 1,000 MW Naying Hydro Electric Project 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project 500 MW Hirong Hydro Electric Power Project…

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CEA releases draft rules revising RoW norms for transmission lines

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued the draft amendment to the CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2025. The amendment updates right of way (RoW) norms for transmission lines from 66 kV to 1200 kV and HVDC (high voltage direct current) lines up to ±800 kV. The revised norms provide separate RoW widths for different terrains—normal, forest, urban/populated areas, and substation approaches. These are specified for both lattice…

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Status

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Status

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​​The Ministry of Power (MoP) issued the “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – 2024” on September 17, 2024. These guidelines aim to standardise and promote the development of EV charging infrastructure across India. The electric vehicle (EV) charging stations require no license under the Electricity Act, 2003. These guidelines aim to create an accessible, affordable, and efficient nationwide EV charging network in both urban and rural areas. Recent highlights include…

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CEA clears 7.5 GW of hydro pumped storage DPRs in 2024–25

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for six hydro pumped storage projects (PSPs) totaling about 7.5 GW. These approvals were issued in record time during 2024–25, reflecting a focused effort to expand long-term energy storage infrastructure. The cleared projects include: Upper Indravati (600 MW) in Odisha  Sharavathy (2,000 MW) in Karnataka Bhivpuri (1,000 MW) in Maharashtra Bhavali (1,500 MW) in Maharashtra MP-30 (1,920 MW) in Madhya Pradesh Chitravathi (500 MW)…

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CEA rolls out STELLAR tool to support power planning across states

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has launched STELLAR, a fully indigenous power planning software. The tool helps in planning generation, transmission, and storage while factoring in demand response. It will be shared free of cost with all states and distribution companies (Discoms). STELLAR stands for State of the Art Totally Indigenously Developed Resource Adequacy Model. It supports states in preparing Resource Adequacy plans as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power in June…

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CEA clarifies energy storage mandate for solar projects

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has confirmed that the recently announced requirement to co-locate energy storage systems (ESS) with solar power plants will apply only to future tenders. Ongoing and past projects, including schemes like the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, will continue under their existing rules without any new ESS obligations. Earlier, the Ministry of Power had issued an advisory recommending that all renewable energy implementing agencies include a minimum 2-hour ESS, equivalent…

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CEA releases guidelines for standardization and interoperability of AMI systems

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued new guidelines aimed at standardizing and ensuring interoperability within Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems.  The guidelines, titled “Guidelines for Standardization and Interoperability in AMI Systems for End-to-End Communication between Smart Meter, HES and MDM,” focus on creating unified communication protocols for smart meters, Head-End Systems (HES), and Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS). Key aspects of the guidelines include: A unified HES with standardized interfaces for seamless interoperability with…

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CEA recommends higher-capacity OPGW to support broadband expansion

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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has advised the adoption of higher-capacity optical ground wire (OPGW) in upcoming power transmission projects to facilitate telecom service providers.  The recommendation follows a collaboration between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Union Power Ministry. CEA has proposed the use of 48-fibre (48F) OPGW, replacing the current standard of 24-fibre (24F) OPGW, in all future power transmission schemes. This recommendation has been communicated to the Central Transmission Utility (CTU),…