The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has introduced a comprehensive Framework for Resource Adequacy to address the evolving challenges in the state’s power sector. The framework aims to ensure a reliable electricity supply for consumers while adapting to the changing energy landscape. KERC defines resource adequacy as the power system’s ability to meet the aggregate electrical demand and energy requirements of consumers at all times with a specified degree of reliability. This definition encompasses both the ability to meet peak demand and maintain sufficient energy resources throughout the year. The framework establishes a Planning Reserve Margin of 15% above the forecasted peak demand.

The Ministry of Power has issued new guidelines to streamline rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to allow for automatic enhancement of sanctioned load by power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and collection of charges at the time of commissioning. The guidelines, released in a ministry’s letter to the states and union territories, aim to reach 10 million households by 2026-27. As per the guidelines, DISCOMs must operationalize the deemed load enhancement up to 10 kW as per rules for deemed acceptance of applications for solar power systems up to 10 kW capacity. They must also approve commensurate enhancement of the sanctioned load for the consumer.

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has decided to allow amendments to its renewable energy connectivity regulations to enable the transfer of connectivity rights in certain cases. The Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) had filed a petition seeking amendments to an order restricting the transfer of grid connectivity for renewable energy projects. GETCO requested the transfer of connectivity rights in cases where project developers or park developers are developing renewable energy projects for multiple entities. The existing regulations prohibit connectivity transfer once granted and require the same entity that obtained connectivity to sign transmission/wheeling agreements.

The Ministry of Power has targeted expanding India’s power transmission network to 648,000 circuit kilometers (ckm) in 2032 from 485,000 ckm in 2024. The plan is to meet a peak electricity demand of 458 GW by 2032. The ministry has finalized a National Electricity Plan 2023-2032 for Central and State transmission systems to strengthen the power infrastructure, enhance capacity, increase connectivity, and expand international reach. The plan’s total cost is ₹91.5 billion (~$1.09 billion). This plan will help meet the increasing electricity demand and facilitate renewable energy integration and green hydrogen loads into the grid. The transformation capacity will increase from 1,251 GVA to 2,342 GVA by 2032 under the new plan. “Nine High Voltage Direct Current lines of 33.25 GW capacity will be added to 33.5 GW presently operating.

Gujarat-based solar company Ahasolar Technologies has received a letter of intent from Coal India for an owner’s engineer-cum-project management consultancy contract for a 300 MW solar power project in Khavda, Gujarat. The consultancy contract is estimated at ₹11 million, the company said in a regulatory filing. The project must be completed within 27 months. In 2022, CIL had invited expressions of interest to empanel owner’s engineers-cum-project management consultants for solar projects by Coal India and its subsidiaries. The scope of work included support in pre-bid and post-bid activities, engineering study and bid management support, review and approval of drawings and documents submitted by suppliers or engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, site supervision and operation and maintenance review.

Aditya Birla Renewables, the Aditya Birla Group’s renewable energy arm, has raised ₹25 billion (~$299.26 million) through a private placement of non-convertible debentures. These include 2.5 million unsecured, listed, rated, redeemable, and non-convertible debentures with a face value of ₹0.1 million (~$1,197.03). The base issue size is up to ₹20 billion (~$239.4 million), with a greenshoe option to retain oversubscription of up to ₹5 billion (~$59.85 million). The company has raised the amount at a coupon rate of 8.6% per annum, payable annually and redeemable on the completion of three years from the date of allotment. The debentures will mature on September 24, 2027.

Scientists and researchers at the University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University have developed a supramolecular material that can compress hydrogen for storage without increasing its weight. The study, ‘Balancing volumetric and gravimetric capacity for hydrogen in supramolecular crystals,’ was published in Nature Chemistry. The study reports a “controlled catenation strategy” used in hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (RP-H100 and RP-H101). This approach relies on multiple hydrogen bonds to direct the catenation process precisely through point-contact interactions. As a result, these frameworks achieve high surface areas in terms of volume and weight, exhibit strong durability, and have optimal pore sizes (around 1.2–1.9 nm) that are well-suited for hydrogen storage.

The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), a government-owned entity under Saudi Arabia’s  Ministry of Energy, has released tender documents for the sixth round of the country’s  National Renewable Energy Program. The program is led and supervised by the Ministry of Energy. The latest round has invited bids for solar photovoltaic and wind energy projects with a combined capacity of 4,500 MW. SPPC has invited interested companies and consortia to participate in the competitive bidding process for these projects. Essential details related to the bid, such as tender fees, Earnest Money Deposit, and Performance Bank Guarantee, have not been specified.