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West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan outline power sector plans in state budgets

The Government of West Bengal has allocated Rs 41,410 million for the Department of Power in the State Budget 2025-2026. A sum of Rs 816 million has been proposed for the Non-Conventional & Renewable Energy Sources department. Plans include the installation of static meters for 726,000 consumers, expansion of e-vehicle charging infrastructure at 187 locations, and a 125 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Goaltore, Paschim Medinipur. The government is also undertaking a 150 MW…

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Union Minister reviews Kerala’s power sector scenario

Union Minister of Power Shri Manohar Lal reviewed Kerala’s power sector at a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.  Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for MoPNG & Tourism, and Shri K Krishnankutty, Kerala’s Minister for Electricity, attended with officials from the State Government, GoI, and Power Finance Corporation (PFC). Key topics included power demand, supply, capacity additions in renewable, hydro, and nuclear sectors, and the status of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Kerala highlighted concerns over…

Power Sector News Roundup for December 6, 2024

Global: Spain to build largest pumped storage hydro power plant in Europe Philippines and UAE sign MoU for energy transition cooperation Estonia to host electronic auction for offshore wind farm in Saare 1 area India: Synergy Green signs supply agreement with Envision Energy for wind turbine castings DMR Hydroengineering & Fitchner GmbH JV empanelled as consultant for THDCIL’s pumped storage projects India Power emerges as lowest bidder for NTPC Dadri thermal energy storage project Teems…

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India ranks sixth globally in SBTi net-zero commitments

India has 127 companies committed to net-zero targets through the science-based target initiative (SBTi), ranking sixth globally.  However, only 7% of these companies are from high-emission sectors such as power, cement, metals, and mining, which collectively contribute 55% of India’s total emissions, according to ICRA ESG Ratings’ latest report.  The majority of commitments come from low to medium carbon footprint industries like textiles, software, and pharmaceuticals. SBTi is a voluntary framework where companies set and…

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CEA proposes new guidelines for type-testing periodicity of power equipment

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released new draft guidelines on the periodicity of type tests for major equipment across the power value chain.  A key proposal is to exempt transformers from repeating short-circuit tests solely due to changes in bushing or on-load tap changers (OLTC), provided these components have equal or superior ratings and have successfully passed type tests per IS/IEC standards. The guidelines, titled “Guidelines for the Periodicity of Type Tests for Major…

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Centre, Himachal discuss 4,300 MW pump storage projects

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, held a meeting in Shimla to review Himachal Pradesh’s urban development initiatives and power sector advancements.  Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Public Works & Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and senior state and central government officials attended the meeting, focusing on the state’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and hydroelectric projects. During the discussions, potential collaboration between Himachal Pradesh and the Bhakra Beas Management…

Power Sector News Roundup for November 5, 2024

Global: ACWA Power secures $240 million IFC loan for Uzbekistan’s RE projects HydroWing and PLN to develop Indonesia’s first tidal energy plant Huasun Energy to supply 1 GW of HJT solar modules for Power China’s offshore PV project Avantus sells Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage Project to DESRI India: Premier Energies’ subsidiaries receive orders worth Rs 5.6 billion Gensol Engineering secures Rs 7.8 billion solar EPC order in Maharashtra NTPC and ONGC partner to drive…

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BHEL sees 23% growth in order inflows in H1FY25

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) reported a 23% increase in order inflows in the first half of FY25, reaching Rs 41.09 billion, up from Rs 33.48 billion in H1FY24. The power sector led the order bookings, contributing 93% of the inflows. As of September 30, 2024, BHEL’s outstanding order book stood at Rs 1.60 trillion, with 78.5% from the power sector, 19.1% from the industry sector, and 2.3% from exports. BHEL’s power T&D offerings fall…

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PFC Infra Finance IFSC receives approval to operate in GIFT City

PFC Infra Finance IFSC Limited (PIFIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), has been approved by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to commence business as a finance company in IFSC GIFT City, Gujarat.  PIFIL will be the first finance company in the IFSC dedicated to power and infrastructure lending, providing financing in foreign currency for both government and private entities in India and abroad. The company will focus on…