The MNRE updated the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) by adding 14,670 MW of solar module manufacturing capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity reached 88,905 MW after the latest additions. New entries included Websol Energy System, adding 242 MW; Knack Energy, adding 598 MW; Loom Solar, adding 43 MW; and Rayon Illuminations Solar Solutions, adding 62 MW, increasing the total number of module manufacturers to 99.

Santosh Kumar Sarangi, a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Odisha cadre, took over as the new Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). He succeeds Nidhi Khare, a 1992-batch IAS officer who had been holding the additional charge of the post since January 2025. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Sarangi’s appointment.

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission approved NIDP Developers’ request for a tariff of ₹5.95 (~$0.07)/kWh for procuring 5 MW of bagasse-based round-the-clock power between April 1, 2025, and July 31, 2025. Bagasse is a fibrous by-product of crushed sugarcane. The Commission also approved the power purchase agreement for the electricity purchase. Additionally, it allowed the purchase of energy over 5 MW through the power exchange route via a trading license, with a trading margin of ₹0.02 (~$0.0002)/kWh.

The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) invited bids to set up a 250 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Maithon, Jharkhand. The project is part of Phase I of DVC’s plan to install a cumulative 500 MW/1,000 MWh BESS projects in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Bids must be submitted by May 21, 2025. Bids will be opened on May 22. The scope of work entails the design, engineering, installation, testing, and commissioning of the BESS project.

GAIL (India), a central public sector undertaking floated an engineering, procurement, and construction tender for a 17.5 MW (AC) floating solar project at its facility in Pata, Uttar Pradesh. Bids must be submitted by May 21, 2025. Bids will be opened on May 22. The scope of work includes the design, engineering, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the floating solar project and the associated power evacuation infrastructure.

Ohms Energy completed solar installations with capacities ranging from 20 kW to 1,100 kW across multiple states. It has installed solar projects at the following religious sites, including Chinmaya Mission, Anoopam Mission, Satyanarayan Goenka Bhavan in Maharashtra, and Sri Satya Sai Trust in Telangana.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are quickly expanding their renewable energy portfolios, with utility-scale solar projects leading this transformation. As the region’s power generation comprises nearly half of its carbon emissions, GCC governments are shifting considerably towards clean energy. This move has led to the completion of numerous projects, with many more under construction.