EG Solwin Renewables (Enfinity Global), Welspun Renewable Energy, NLC India, and Adani Renewable Energy Holding Twelve (Adani Green) won NTPC’s auction to develop 1.2 GW interstate transmission system-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (Hybrid 03). EG Solwin, Welspun, and NLC won 300 MW, 250 MW, and 450 MW, respectively, at a tariff of ₹3.35 (~$0.0387)/kWh. Adani quoted ₹3.36 (~$0.0388)/kWh to win 200 MW out of the quoted capacity of 600 MW under the bucket-filling method.

A ‘green versus green’ battle is brewing in Karnataka, with environmentalists clashing with the government over a pumped hydro storage project proposed for the Sharavathy river system in the Western Ghats. The state government is yet to secure forest and wildlife clearance but has already begun the process of acquiring land for the ₹80 billion (~$918 million) project, drawing the ire of environmentalists who fear large-scale construction could harm flora and fauna in this biodiversity hotspot. The proposed project area is home to the Lion Tailed Macaque, a critically endangered primate endemic to the Sharavathy Valley.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission dismissed a petition filed by ReNew Surya Vihaan (RSVPL) seeking the return of the construction bank guarantee submitted for a 100 MW solar project in Rajasthan. The Commission held that RSVPL’s request to adjust the bank guarantee requirements lacked merit as it had explicitly confirmed its consent to the transition from Connectivity Regulations, 2009, to General Network Access Regulations, 2022.

The Ministry of Power directed all states and implementing agencies to award all Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) contracts by June 2025 to enable the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) program to be completed by May 2027. The ministry recently told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy that once the contracts are awarded by June, it will take 18 to 24 months for the VGF program to be completed.

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy said it will be challenging for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to meet the financial year 2026 target of installing 3.5 million rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Expressing concern over the low installation numbers during the year so far, the committee said in a report that only 905,000 households have benefitted from the program, and 600,000 households have received subsidies.

The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency invited expressions of interest to develop 20 MW solar projects under Component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan program. The installations will be located at single or multiple sites, each with a capacity of 2 MW. Bids must be submitted by March 29, 2025. Bids will be opened on April 7, 2025. The scope of work also includes selecting engineering, procurement, and construction contractors to collaborate with landowners and farmers to lease land, and design, engineer, supply, construct, and commission the project.

Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, invited bids for the comprehensive annual maintenance of its 3 MW ground-mounted solar project, including the operation and maintenance of a 33 kV transmission overhead line of approximately 3 km and a connection to the 33 KV HT panels at both ends. The project is located within the university premises in Aligarh. The project’s estimated cost is ₹2.602 million (~$30,062.10). Bids must be submitted by April 8, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work entails preventive/corrective maintenance (such as module cleaning and inverter checks), performance monitoring and reporting, and safety and security services. The transmission line work covers inspection (for damage), maintenance (insulator/conductor/pole repair, vegetation control), and fault detection and repair.

NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL) invited bids for the land and power evacuation package to develop 550 MW interstate transmission system-connected solar projects with a BESS near the 550 MW Shimboo ka Burj solar project in Rajasthan. Bids must be submitted by April 25, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work entails arranging government or private land on a freehold or leasehold basis, ensuring proper access roads, conducting topography surveys, and preparing the land for tracker-based mounting structures. Geotechnical investigations for the pooling substation and transmission system and fencing with security arrangements are also covered.

NTPC REL invited bids for land and power evacuation packages to develop 300 MW interstate transmission systems-connected solar projects with BESS in Rajasthan. Bids must be submitted by April 18, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same date. Selected bidders must arrange government or private land on a freehold or leasehold basis near the 300 MW Nokhra Solar project of NTPC Green Energy in Rajasthan. The lease should be at least 29 years and 11 months.

Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation invited bids for setting up 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone BESS in six locations on a build-own-operate model in Tamil Nadu. Bids must be submitted by April 2, 2025. Bids will be opened on April 3. The scope of work entails setting up the BESS projects in six locations to allow the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL) to charge/discharge BESS on demand. The project must also enable charging and discharging in groups from 50 MW/100 MWh and 100 MW/200 MWh.