NTPC Floats O&M Tender for 25 MW Floating Solar Project

MNRE Clarifies ALMM List II Rules for Solar Cell Compliance

IEX’s Electricity Trading Volume Rises 7.7% YoY in July

Distribution Business, Renewables Boost Torrent’s Revenue 3% in Q1 FY 2027

SECI Seeks Trading Partner to Sell Renewable Energy

PM Surya Ghar Powers 5 Million Homes, Total Capacity Hits 15 GW

Nextpower Raises Guidance for FY 2027 on Strong Q1 Performance

Avantus Closes $1 Billion Credit Facility to Expand Project Portfolio

Tandem PV Acquires nexTC to Bring Thin-Film Coating Technology In-House

Base Power Raises $1 Billion in Series D Funding Round


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					</table><p>Solar <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solars-share-in-indias-renewable-capacity-climbs-to-56-4-in-q2-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continued</a> to dominate India’s renewable energy landscape. Installed solar capacity reached 163.7 GW, accounting for 29.7% of the country’s total power capacity and 56.4% of its renewable energy capacity. The addition of new projects during the quarter increased installed solar capacity by 7.7% quarter-over-quarter and 40.7% year-over-year (YoY), underscoring solar’s continued leadership in India’s capacity expansion and its growing contribution to the country’s evolving power mix.</p>
<p>The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) recommended the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cea-favors-100-grid-forming-inverters-for-future-battery-storage-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">use</a> of 100% grid-forming (GFM) inverters in all future battery energy storage system projects to strengthen grid stability as renewable energy capacity continues to grow.</p>
<p>During an interview on the sidelines of the Mercom India Renewables Summit 2026, held in New Delhi on July 1 and 2, Amit Barve, CEO at Rayzon Solar <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-supply-chain-hit-by-mismatch-in-module-and-cell-manufacturing-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discussed</a> the mismatch between solar manufacturing capacity and market demand, shortages of cells compliant with domestic content requirements, implementation timelines for wafers and ingots, skilled workforce requirements, and the technologies likely to shape the future of India’s solar manufacturing sector.</p>
<p>The Indian Institute of Technology Jammu <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/iit-jammu-invites-eois-for-2-2-mw-solar-project-with-8-mwh-battery-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> expressions of interest (EoIs) to commission a 2.2 MW hybrid solar project integrated with an 8 MWh battery energy storage system at its Jagti campus in Jammu and Kashmir. The last date to submit the bids is August 14, 2026. Bids will be opened on August 17, 2026.</p>
<p>SJVN <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sjvn-invites-bids-for-265-mw-530-mwh-battery-storage-project-in-haryana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to develop 265 MW/530 MWh of standalone battery energy storage systems in Haryana. The last date to submit bids is August 21, 2026. Bids will be opened the same day.</p>
<p>The Solar Energy Corporation of India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-5-29-mw-rooftop-solar-projects-at-eight-government-institutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to select solar power developers to set up 5.29 MW of rooftop solar projects across eight government institutions under the Renewable Energy Service Company model (Tranche XII). The last date to submit bids is August 31, 2026. Bids will be opened by September 3.</p>
<p>Waaree Renewable Technologies <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/waaree-renewable-bags-epc-contract-for-800-mw-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received</a> letters of award for engineering, procurement, and construction contracts for two ground-mounted solar projects with a combined capacity of 800 MW. The projects have an individual capacity of 400 MW each.</p>
<p>Bondada Engineering <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bondada-acquires-60-stake-in-onixs-225-mw-solar-project-in-maharashtra" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired</a> a 60% equity stake in Onix IPP, which entitles the company to a controlling interest in a 225 MW solar power project in Maharashtra, under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0.</p>
<p>The Indian Energy Exchange <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/iex-revenue-rises-11-in-q1-fy-2027-as-power-trading-volume-grows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> revenue from operations of ₹1.58 billion (~$16.33 million) in the first quarter (Q1) of the financial year (FY) 2027, an 11.4% (YoY) increase from ₹1.42 billion (~$14.66 million).</p>
<p>Public infrastructure finance company REC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-revenue-fell-3-profit-declines-by-6-in-q1-fy-2027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recorded</a> revenue from operations of ₹144.35 billion (~$1.5 billion) for Q1 of FY 2027, down 3% YoY from ₹148.17 billion (~$1.54 billion).</p>
<p>NTPC Green Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-green-energys-q1-profit-rises-38-yoy-on-higher-generation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> a net profit of ₹3.05 billion (~$31.55 million) in Q1 of FY 2027, a 38% increase YoY from ₹2.2 billion (~$22.76 million). The company reported a total income of ₹11.22 billion (~$116.06 million), up 49% YoY from ₹7.52 billion (~$77.79 million).</p>
<p>The Lebanon Electricity Regulatory Authority <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/lebanon-invites-eois-for-350-mw-solar-1000-mwh-battery-storage-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> EoIs for developing up to five grid-connected solar projects with a combined installed capacity of 350 MWp and battery energy storage systems totaling 1,000 MWh.</p>
<p>CS PowerTech, the U.S. manufacturing subsidiary of Canadian Solar, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/canadian-solar-subsidiary-opens-first-phase-of-6-gw-solar-cell-plant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inaugurated</a> the first phase of its solar cell manufacturing facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Once fully built out, the facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of more than 6 GW.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Solar’s Share in Renewables Rises to 56.4%


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					</table><p>The Central Electricity Authority (<a href="https://cea.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CEA</a>) has recommended the use of 100% grid-forming (GFM)  inverters in all future battery energy storage system (BESS) projects to strengthen grid stability as renewable energy capacity continues to grow.</p>
<p>The recommendation comes amid increasing deployment of inverter-based renewable energy and battery storage which was reducing system strength and creating operational challenges that conventional grid-following inverters cannot address adequately, the CEA said in an advisory issued to the Central Transmission Utility of India, GRID-India, and state energy departments and transmission utilities.</p>
<p>The CEA said that most existing solar and BESS projects deploy grid-following inverters, which perform well in strong grids but face challenges as renewable penetration rises. The growing share of inverter-based resources has contributed to lower short-circuit ratios, power system oscillations, and reduced system strength, posing risks to grid stability and reliable system operation.</p>
<p>India had a total installed generation capacity of 542 GW as of May 31, 2026, including 157 GW of solar and 57 GW of wind. Resource adequacy studies expect the installed capacity to rise to 1,121 GW by 2035-36, comprising 509 GW of solar, 155 GW of wind, and 174 GW/888 GWh of energy storage capacity, including 80 GW/321 GWh of battery energy storage systems.</p>
<p>The CEA said GFM inverters can enhance grid stability and provide black-start capability because they operate as voltage sources, unlike grid-following inverters that rely on an existing grid voltage reference.</p>
<p>Issuing detailed technical requirements for GFM BESS projects, the CEA said the systems must be capable of maintaining stable operation in weak grids with a short-circuit ratio of 2 or lower and provide autonomous, near-instantaneous voltage and frequency support. The systems must have the capability to damp oscillations in the 0.1 Hz to 20 Hz range, with a short-term overload capability of at least 1.5 per unit for 200 milliseconds.</p>
<p>The advisory says developers must install phasor measurement units and share high-resolution data with the appropriate load dispatch centres. BESS projects must also support active power-frequency and reactive power-voltage droop control, synthetic inertia response, low- and high-voltage ride-through, and voltage phase-angle ride-through. The advisory specifies a maximum response time of 5 milliseconds for rate of change of frequency and voltage disturbance events.</p>
<p>Grid-forming BESS projects with an aggregate capacity of 50 MW or more must be capable of providing black-start support, with the functionality demonstrated during commissioning and verified periodically.</p>
<p>All BESS projects to be capable of participating in automatic generation control on a continuous basis. Systems must support seamless bidirectional operation, frequent charge-discharge cycles without cooling periods, and continuous communication of operational parameters, including state of charge, cycle count, and state of health, to load dispatch centres. Developers must also demonstrate through simulation and testing that their control systems will not introduce sustained oscillations during AGC operation.</p>
<p>In February this year, the CEA had <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cea-reviews-grid-forming-inverter-capacity-as-renewables-expand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">written</a> to manufacturers to share data about the domestic GFM production capacity in India for future planning as well as other policy, regulatory, and technical interventions.</p>
<p>According to developers, renewable energy projects equipped with GFMs and automatic generation control (AGC) can <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/can-automatic-generation-control-and-grid-forming-inverters-solve-grid-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deliver</a> power in a more stable and dispatchable manner. However, they had said that while integrating GFM and AGC offers significant benefits for grid stability and higher renewable energy injection, it also increases project costs.</p>


CEA Favors 100% Grid-Forming Inverters for Future Battery Storage Projects


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					</table><p>The National Committee on Transmission recently deliberated on the feasibility of battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a non-wire alternative to conventional power transmission lines to address challenges arising from renewable energy curtailment and grid imbalances.</p>
<p>Along with grid-forming inverters, BESS can be planned as a transmission asset and built through the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route to avoid issues such as a lack of buyers for standalone storage or off-solar hours peak power.</p>
<p>Expert member on the committee, S.R. Narasimhan, drew attention to the recent amendment to the Terms and Conditions of Tariff Regulations for the 2024-29 period, under which a generating station or transmission asset under section 62 of the Electricity Act can install an energy storage system at its power project or substation.</p>
<p>These regulations provide a technical and commercial framework for such an energy storage system. Extending this logic, the battery energy storage asset can be executed quickly through TBCB in lieu of transmission, with minor modifications to the bidding documents.</p>
<p>In Rajasthan, 6 GW of solar capacity can be safely evacuated with a battery storage system installed at Bikaner. The Central Transmission Utility had earlier highlighted the issue of matching load generation during solar hours and an almost 25-55 GW surplus in the 2030-31 timeframe. On the other hand, there has been a serious capacity crunch during non-solar hours from the summer of 2022 to the present.</p>
<p>The transmission system can be completely avoided as battery storage would address both these constraints simultaneously, Narasimhan argued.</p>
<p>He also noted that a detailed cost analysis indicates that the BESS-based approach is more economical than the conventional AC transmission system, even after accounting for battery replacement costs. The model also generates substantial revenue through energy arbitrage and ancillary services, resulting in net economic benefits and reduced overall system cost.</p>
<p>In addition to cost advantages, battery storage would improve grid stability by providing rapid frequency response and reactive power support, reducing reliance on additional grid equipment, minimizing renewable curtailment, and addressing peak-demand challenges.</p>
<p>Considering the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/transmission-system-delay-stalls-evacuation-of-8-1-gw-renewables-in-rajasthan">delays</a> in transmission projects, assuming 100% certainty about new transmission schedules may not be prudent. As of date, 11 GW of renewable energy connected to the interstate transmission system is already experiencing 90-95% curtailment (4.5 GW in Rajasthan and 6.5 GW in Gujarat) due to delays in commissioning the planned transmission system.</p>
<p>The battery storage alternative can be the answer because it can be commissioned quickly in phases.</p>
<p>Mercom recently reported that about 11.5 GW of solar and wind power was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-sees-nearly-12-gw-of-solar-wind-curtailment-since-january" target="_blank" rel="noopener">curtailed</a> in Rajasthan alone since January this year.</p>
<p>This January, a discussion paper by the Grid Controller of India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/grid-india-proposes-grid-forming-capability-for-50-mw-bess-installations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> that all new BESS installations of 50 MW and above should incorporate grid-forming capability, especially when located in weak-grid or remote areas.</p>


Energy Storage-Led Approach Gains Ground in Transmission Planning


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					</table><p>The Central Electricity Authority (<a href="https://cea.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CEA</a>) has begun assessing the manufacturing capacity of grid-forming inverters (GFM) in India, in light of the increasing share of solar and wind energy in the country’s power mix.</p>
<p>In a letter to GFM manufacturers, the CEA said GFM is necessary to ensure a stable, reliable electricity grid.  “In this context, it is important to get an estimate of the manufacturing capacity of Grid Forming Inverters in India for future planning as well as other policy, regulatory, and technical interventions.”</p>
<p>Manufacturers have been asked to share the data with the CEA by February 10, 2026.</p>
<p>Renewables have already <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/led-by-solar-renewables-overtake-thermal-in-indias-power-mix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overtaken</a> thermal in India’s installed power capacity. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, India’s renewable energy capacity, including large hydroelectric projects, reached 258.3 GW, accounting for 50.2% of the country’s total installed power capacity. Solar alone accounted for 26.5% of India’s power mix.</p>
<p>In January, a Grid India discussion paper <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/grid-india-proposes-grid-forming-capability-for-50-mw-bess-installations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> that all new battery energy storage system (BESS) installations of 50 MW or more should incorporate grid-forming capability, particularly when located in weak-grid or remote areas.</p>
<p>Grid India noted that GFM technology was becoming commercially viable and field-proven for transmission-connected applications, as evident from international deployments.</p>
<p>The discussion paper said the Indian power system had entered a phase in which the large-scale addition of variable renewable energy, growing demand from new-age loads such as data centers, and the gradual displacement of synchronous generation are reshaping how stability is maintained.</p>
<p>It also noted that many equipment manufacturers, including Hitachi, ABB, Tesla, GE, Sungrow, Siemens Gamesa, and Huawei, had developed grid-forming converters for solar, wind, and BESS applications.</p>
<p>Grid India had earlier suggested that, since most renewable energy generation was coming up in remote locations, where extending supply in case of any blackout might take significant time and delay the restoration process, black start/grid-forming capability should be mandated for at least 10% to 15% of BESS inverters.</p>


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