At a time when the government is pushing for greater adoption of solar through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to make households energy-independent, free electricity programs have proved to be an impediment to rooftop solar in some states. When consumers receive up to 300 free units per month in some states, they see little reason to invest in rooftop solar systems. These programs also put severe financial strain on power distribution companies, many of which are already struggling with debt.

Transmission and distribution company Adani Energy Solutions won a power transmission project from PFC Consulting to supply 3 GW of renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia in Mundra, Gujarat. This project involves upgrading the Navinal (Mundra) electrical substation by adding two large 765/400kV transformers. A 75 km long 765 kV double-circuit line will also be constructed to connect this substation to the Bhuj substation.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) determined a generic tariff of ₹7.87 (~$0.091)/kWh for NTPC Green Energy’s 50 MW Rajgarh solar project. Although the petitioner, NTPC Green, argued for higher tariffs based on different commissioning phases, the Commission held that the project was commissioned in the financial year 2014-15. However, in the interest of fairness, it decided to apply the tariff for the financial year 2013-14 rather than the lower tariff for 2014-15.

The CERC approved the adoption of tariffs ranging from ₹2.52 (~$0.0292)/kWh to ₹2.53 (~$0.0294)/kWh for NHPC’s 3 GW grid-connected solar projects. The Commission also approved a trading margin of ₹0.07 (~$0.0008)/kWh. The petitioner, NHPC, floated a tender for setting up 3 GW interstate transmission system-connected solar projects. Sixteen bids were received, and letters of award were issued to eight successful bidders on December 7, 2023.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission proposed a tariff of ₹2.3 (~$0.026)/kWh for rooftop solar projects under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana with a maximum capacity of 2 kW, ₹2.48 (~$0.028)/KWh for projects between 2 kW and 3 kW, and ₹2.93 (~$0.033)/kWh for projects above 3 kW. The Commission has also invited stakeholders’ comments on the proposed tariff by April 15, 2025.

NTPC Renewable Energy invited bids for land and power evacuation packages for NTPC Green Energy’s 240 MW solar projects with battery energy storage systems in Devikot, Rajasthan. The last date to submit bids is April 29, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work involves land arrangement, securing the approach road until the pooling substation, topography survey for land parcels, geotech investigation for pooling substation and transmission system, land-fencing, and lease management for private land.

Hero MotoCorp announced an investment of ₹5.25 billion (~$61.06 million) in Euler Motors to expand into the electric three-wheeler market. The investment will be made in one or more tranches for Hero MotoCorp to acquire a 32.5% stake on a fully diluted basis. It will be made through a mix of primary and secondary acquisitions and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2025. Euler Motors specializes in designing, manufacturing, selling, and servicing electric three- and four-wheeler electric vehicles.

The U.S. energy storage market achieved a new record with 12.3 GW installations across all segments in 2024, according to the latest U.S. Energy Storage Monitor report from the American Clean Power Association and Wood Mackenzie. The country’s annual energy storage installations increased 33% year-over-year. In the year’s fourth quarter (Q4), grid-scale energy storage deployments reduced by 20% compared to Q4 2023.