The Ministry of Power launched a new program, Assistance in Deploying Energy-Efficient Technologies in Industries and Establishments (ADEETIE), aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in micro, small, and medium enterprises. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the implementing agency for this program, which has an outlay of ₹10 billion (~$116.28 million). It will be implemented over a three-year period from the financial years 2026 to 2028. Under ADEETIE, financial support will be extended in the form of interest subvention, with 5% for micro and small enterprises and 3% for medium enterprises.

The recent launch of electricity derivatives by the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the National Stock Exchange is a long-awaited reform, with a history spanning over 15 years. The current outcome is that any contracts involving the physical delivery of electricity will be regulated by CERC, while all other contracts will be regulated by SEBI. The launch of electricity derivatives is an important initiative for power sector stakeholders, including independent power producers, distribution companies, and bulk electricity offtakers.

As India accelerates the integration of renewable energy, the focus is shifting beyond solar module manufacturing to encompass a broader range of components critical for the sector’s long-term sustainability. The country needs to strengthen its local manufacturing base for inverters, storage systems, and balance-of-system equipment to achieve true self-sufficiency in renewable energy. This issue will be discussed in depth at the fifth edition of the Mercom India Renewables Summit, set to take place on July 24-25, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi.

It is not only industries with huge power requirements that are recognizing the benefits of switching to solar energy. National institutions of repute are also going green by reducing their carbon footprint by installing solar panels on their rooftops. A recent instance is that of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities in New Delhi. The institute has installed a 102 kW rooftop solar system, which generates enough power to run rehabilitation machines and cater to other energy needs. Institute Director Dr Jitendra Sharma highlighted that the installation of the rooftop system has resulted in an estimated 30% reduction in electricity costs.

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity confirmed that transmission systems built, owned, and operated by the Central Transmission Utility qualify as an interstate transmission system even if located within a single state. The ruling came while dismissing the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation’s appeal, which challenged the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s classification of transmission assets developed by Power Grid Corporation of India for evacuating power from the NP Kunta Solar Park as part of the interstate transmission system. The Tribunal ruled that the tariff for these assets must be recovered through the point of connection mechanism, as per the CERC Sharing Regulations, 2010.

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission issued its final tariff order for the financial year 2026, introducing an average hike of 1.89% across consumer categories. The revised rates are effective until March 31, 2026, or until the next order is issued. The decision was primarily driven by the need to address a cumulative revenue gap faced by the state’s power utilities, particularly the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company. The Commission approved a cumulative revenue gap of ₹5.23 billion (~$63.05 million), resulting in an average tariff increase of ₹0.14 (~$0.0017)/kWh, or approximately 1.89%, without any change in fixed or demand charges. The revised average cost of supply stands at ₹7.02 (~$0.085)/kWh.

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) allowed the Punjab State Power Corporation to install rooftop solar systems across 1,013 office buildings under the capital expenditure model. The Commission approved the capital expenditure of ₹1.23 billion (~$14.32 million), which includes the total value of work orders issued across seven packages, covering applicable taxes and duties. However, PSERC rejected the inclusion of administrative charges of ₹326.4 million (~$3.8 million) in the capital cost, citing potential duplication. It noted that the charges are already accounted for in the annual revenue requirement under operations and maintenance expenses.

Military Engineer Services, under the Chief Engineer, Bathinda Zone, issued a tender for the comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of a 5 MW solar project located across Suratgarh (2 MW), Sri Ganganagar (2 MW), and Kanasar (1 MW) in Rajasthan. Bids must be submitted by August 11, 2025. Bids will be opened on August 13. The scope of work entails routine and corrective maintenance, testing, record-keeping, and all related operational tasks across the three project sites. The contract will be for a period of 10 years. Regular performance evaluations will be conducted every six months during the contract period.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India invited bids for the O&M of a 10 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Badi Sid, Rajasthan, for five years. The last date to submit bids is August 5, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work includes the O&M of the project, as well as providing insurance coverage for five years. It also covers performance demonstration, storage of all spare parts, consumables, and repairs/replacements of defective equipment. It also entails arranging tools, tackles, logistics, test kits, manpower, and experts required for the operation of the solar power project.

With an installed capacity of 46.9 million tons a year, Shree Cement is among the leading cement manufacturers in India. In line with sustainability commitments, the company has recently commissioned a 6 MW solar project at its Roorkee facility in Uttarakhand. This project was developed with a capital investment of approximately ₹160 million (~$1.86 million). The solar project, adjacent to Shree Cement’s manufacturing facility, will help the company reduce its dependence on grid power and raise the Roorke plant’s solar capacity to 7 MW.

Switzerland-based impact asset manager responsAbility will invest $15 million (~₹1.28 billion) in Singapore-headquartered energy-as-a-service infrastructure platform, August Energy, on behalf of its investors. The funding will support August Energy in expanding its portfolio of distributed renewable energy projects in India. The investment is part of responsAbility’s $500 million (~₹42.95 billion) climate investment strategy for Asia. It aims to accelerate the decarbonization of key economic sectors in emerging and developing Asian markets. August Energy aims to increase its installed capacity to over 1 GW within the next five years. The funding will also provide the company with flexibility to execute its growing project pipeline in the country over the next 12 months.

The U.S. Department of Commerce commenced an investigation to determine the effects of importing polysilicon and its derivatives on the country’s national security. The investigation aims to assess the potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including their ability to weaponize their control over polysilicon and its derivatives. Polysilicon is a key material used in the production of solar cells and modules. Commerce has invited interested parties to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information pertinent to the investigation to the Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security and Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security.