The rapid rise of artificial intelligence and India’s growing data center pipeline are driving substantial new electricity demand, making renewable energy with storage essential to power this sector. According to government data, India’s installed data center power capacity increased from around 375 MW in 2020 to 1.57 GW as of August 2026 and is projected to reach nearly 8 GW by 2030.

In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Weili Shi, Chairman and General Manager at DK Electronic Materials, talks about the company’s India strategy, plans to expand customized silver pastes and local technical support team, and its development of low-silver-content, silver-coated copper, and pure copper metallization technologies.

To help landowners part with land for erecting transmission towers more readily, the Ministry of Power recently revised the Right-of-Way compensation framework for transmission lines. The new guidelines are expected to reduce landowner disputes and accelerate development of power evacuation infrastructure.

The Ministry of Finance clarified that stationary, grid-scale, and industrial lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) are eligible for the concessional basic customs duty (BCD) rate of 10%. Addressing inconsistencies in their classification by customs authorities, the Ministry’s Department of Revenue clarified that these battery storage systems do not fall under the definition of power banks, which attract a higher BCD of 20%.

The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) adopted a tariff of ₹192,000 (~$1,989)/MW per month for a 125 MW/250 MWh standalone BESS in the state. MPERC directed Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMCL) to execute a battery energy storage purchase agreement with GH2 Solar for the project to be developed at the 220/132 kV Rajgarh-Biora substation.

MPERC adopted tariffs ranging from ₹3.98 (~$0.041)/kWh to ₹4.17 (~$0.043)/kWh for the procurement of grid-connected power from 800 MW wind projects. The Commission also adopted a tariff of ₹3.98 (~$0.041)/kWh for an additional capacity of up to 800 MW under the greenshoe option.

The Chennai Port Authority invited bids to develop a grid-connected solar project integrated with a BESS under the renewable energy service company model. The last date to submit bids is November 6, 2026. Bids will be opened the following day.

NTPC Green Energy invited bids to procure a spare inverter (3,125 kW) of Sineng Electric make for its Nokhra solar power project. The deadline for submitting bids is October 14, 0262. Bids will be opened the following day.

The Power Grid Corporation of India commissioned a transmission project to evacuate 20 GW of renewable energy in Rajasthan. The transmission project was commissioned on September 22, 2026, and was officially notified on October 11, 2026.

Oswal Pumps, a manufacturer of solar pumping systems, modules, and electric motors, said it will establish a 1.2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility based on TOPCon technology with an estimated investment of ₹4.56 billion (~$47.6 million).

Utex New Energy, a Pagariya Group company, signed an agreement with its parent company to establish a 20 GWh battery energy storage system assembly plant in Nagpur, Maharashtra, with ENcore Systems as the technology partner.

Battery and energy technology company Trontek Electronics announced plans to expand into BESS and is targeting 12 GWh of annual manufacturing capacity by 2028. The company has introduced a domestically manufactured energy storage portfolio for residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale applications.

Specialty chemicals manufacturer Chemplast Sanmar will source solar power from Yesaryes Energy’s 37.5 MW project in Tamil Nadu under a group captive arrangement to reduce its energy costs. The company plans to acquire a 27% equity stake in Yesaryes Energy for ₹4.5 million (~$46,653) through a share purchase agreement with Veebee Yarnntex and Yesaryes Energy.