Backed by a robust viability gap funding program and declining prices, India is witnessing significant growth in the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Under the new roadmap for renewables, the focus is not only on meeting targets but also on ensuring grid stability and the reliable integration of renewables. In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Kamlesh Kataria, COO at Kalpa Power, spoke about the evolution of BESS in India, the strategic investments in solar by the commercial and industrial sector, and the company’s 2030 target.

Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issued the draft second amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Green Energy Open Access, Charges, and Banking) Regulation, 2024 (Regulation No. 3 of 2024), to improve clarity regarding the treatment of hybrid renewable energy projects. This draft amendment follows an earlier proposal to remove the requirement for single interconnection points for hybrid projects.

The Supreme Court issued notices on a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL) challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which provides for cost-reflective electricity tariffs. Hearing TNPDCL’s plea, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi criticized the promise of providing free electricity to consumers in Tamil Nadu and the state government’s policy of absorbing the losses of electricity distribution companies.

The Electricity Department of Goa invited bids for setting up a 5 MW ground-mounted solar power project and a 100 kW rooftop solar system at Goa Engineering College in Ponda. Bids must be submitted by March 10, 2026. Bids will be opened on March 12. The estimated cost of the project is ₹311.48 million (~$3.42 million). The project will be executed on 55,000 to 60,000 square meters of land provided by the college.

Independent power producer Vedanta Power invited expressions of interest from Indian and global engineering, procurement, and construction contractors and renewable energy solutions providers to set up 25-40 MW solar projects at its 1,200 MW thermal power plant in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh. The last date to submit bids is February 25, 2026.

Educational institutions are among the many organizations increasingly adopting solar energy to meet their electricity demands, reduce electricity bills, and leave a greener energy footprint. The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut in Kerala is installing a 1.2 MW rooftop solar project to meet the increased electricity demand expected from the planned infrastructure expansion, including academic buildings, hostels, and research facilities.

NTPC Renewable Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy (NGEL), commissioned 165 MW capacity at the 1,200 MW Khavda-II Solar Project in Gujarat. Recently, the company announced that the first 210 MW of the 1.2 GW Khavda-II Solar Project has begun operations. With the latest commissioning, NGEL’s total commercial capacity has grown to 8.99 GW.

Delhi-based electric mobility startup, Pluto Mobility, raised $2 million in seed funding to develop its electric vehicle (EV) platform for last-mile delivery. The funding round was led by Version One Ventures, with participation from gradCapital and operators across the logistics and hardware sectors. The seed funding marks Pluto’s first external capital raise. The company stated that the capital will be deployed to advance engineering development, expand its team, and prepare for pilot deployments scheduled for 2026.

Gurugram-based EV charging network operator Statiq raised about ₹18 million through a mix of debt and equity. The funding round was led by Tenacity Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, Shell Ventures, and RCD Holdings. The fresh capital will be used to aggressively expand its charging infrastructure and deepen its footprint across tier-1 and tier-2 cities.

Israel-based solar inverter manufacturer SolarEdge reported revenue of $335.36 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, an increase of 71% year-over-year (YoY) from $196.21 million. Loss after tax stood at $132.12 million, improving 54% YoY from $287.44 million. Earnings per share came in at a negative $2.21, compared to negative $5 in the same quarter of the previous year. The company attributed the performance to operational improvement and enhanced customer experience.

The global lithium-ion battery market exceeded $150 billion in 2025, up 20% from 2024, according to an International Energy Agency report. The report noted that declining battery costs and the expansion of applications continue to drive rapid demand growth across multiple sectors. Global lithium-ion battery deployment in 2025 was six times higher than in 2020.