Daily News Wrap-Up: CERC Proposes Congestion Charges for BESS Projects
Renewable energy use among C&I units in Visakhapatnam likely to surge
September 23, 2026
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The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) proposed amendments to the Indian Electricity Grid Code, introducing a congestion charge mechanism and new commissioning, scheduling, and trial run requirements for renewable energy and energy storage projects.
Visakhapatnam is emerging as a clean energy and industrial hub, supported by investments in solar power, energy storage, data centers, and transmission infrastructure. Growing commercial and industrial demand could increase renewable energy procurement in the region.
Lineage Power secured an order worth ₹4.88 billion (~$48.85 million) from NTPC GE Power Services for a battery energy storage system at the Barh Super Thermal Power Project. The order is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026.
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) proposed introducing a capacity-based banking framework for renewable energy generating systems, regardless of the procurement arrangement, and mandating energy storage systems for grid-interactive and behind-the-meter rooftop systems above 100 kW.
MERC proposed tightening deviation settlement rules for solar, wind, and wind-solar hybrid projects, gradually shifting toward a schedule-based mechanism that increases the financial consequences of deviations from scheduled generation.
MERC proposed new distribution open access regulations that lay out a capacity-based banking framework for renewable energy consumers, along with new scheduling, metering, and settlement requirements.
MERC proposed amendments to the State Grid Code to introduce operational, scheduling, data-sharing, and compliance requirements for battery energy storage systems and renewable energy projects.
The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) rejected a petition seeking to raise the net-metering limit from 500 kW to 1.412 MW for a rooftop solar project, allowing the capacity to operate under gross metering instead.
MERC directed Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company to restore net metering for a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s 850 kW rooftop solar system and reconcile excess amounts recovered from the company.
HERC held that Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam contravened the timelines under the Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2023, by delaying connectivity to a 6 MW captive solar project.
A clothing wholesaler in Kerala adopted rooftop solar to offset electricity expenses during business hours. The project is expected to save up to ₹192,000 (~$2,000) to ₹240,000 (~$2,500) annually.
A yarn manufacturer installed a 3.1 MW rooftop solar project expected to meet 50% of its electricity requirements and lower daytime power costs.
The National Insurance Academy turned to rooftop solar to reduce electricity costs. The project is expected to generate annual savings of about ₹3.5 million (~$36,463).
PFC Consulting invited bids for an interstate transmission system to evacuate 2 GW of renewable energy from the Solapur special economic zone in Maharashtra under Phase II. Bids must be submitted by November 25, 2026. Bids will open the same day.
Ayana Renewable Power invited expressions of interest (EoIs) to select a joint venture partner for an advanced chemistry cell manufacturing facility with an initial annual capacity of 2 GWh to 2.5 GWh. The bid submission deadline is October 1, 2026. Bids will be opened on October 6.
Central Electronics invited global expressions of interest to empanel consultants for a 1.25 GW solar cell and module manufacturing plant, 100 MW data centers, Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging semiconductor plants, a rare earth permanent magnet plant, and satellite manufacturing and testing plants. The submission deadline is October 21, 2026. Bids will be opened the following day.
The Singareni Collieries Company floated a balance-of-works tender to install an overburden dump-based solar project in Ramagundam, Telangana. The last date to submit bids is October 12, 2026.
The Defense Estates Office, Bhopal Circle floated three tenders for solar projects at the Jhansi and Babina Cantonments in Uttar Pradesh. The last date to submit bids is October 21, 2026. Bids will be opened the next day.
Renewable energy company AMPIN Energy Transition raised up to $100 million (~₹9.58 billion) from Norfund, the Norwegian government’s investment fund for developing countries.
