Sunkind to Set Up 4 GW of Solar Module and Cell Manufacturing Units

Aseem Infrastructure Finance Secures $80 Million Green Loan from DBS Bank

MNRE Releases Draft Testing and Approval Guidelines for Solar Inverters

Adani Electricity Mumbai Buys Back $49.5 Million Debt Bonds

Emmvee Bags ₹15 Billion Solar Module Supply Order from KPI Green

BluPine Secures ₹24 Billion for 150 MW Renewable Energy Project in Karnataka

Enviro Infra Acquires 49% Stake in Renewable Energy Firm Soltrix

ACME, Patel Infrastructure Win NHPC’s 1 GWh Battery Energy Storage Auction

Bihar Commission Approves Tariffs for 238 MW Solar Projects Under KUSUM

NHPC Issues Tender for 19.2 MW Rooftop Solar Projects in Haryana


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					</table><p>Renewable energy sector experts <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/battery-energy-storage-systems-are-phasing-out-diesel-generators" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opined</a> that battery energy storage systems (BESS) will likely phase out power banking in the coming years. They said BESS has the potential to phase out power banking and reduce the load on distribution companies, as energy storage is likely to become more affordable. Energy storage systems are gaining traction in the open access and rooftop solar segments. However, bundling storage with renewable energy remains an expensive proposition.</p>
<p>NLC India Renewables (NLC India), Bondada Engineering, and Oriana Power <a href="https://mercomindia.com/nlc-bondada-oriana-win-tngecls-500-mw-1000-mwh-bess-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation’s (TNGECL) auction to set up 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone BESS projects in six locations in Tamil Nadu on a build-own-operate basis. NLC India Renewables won 250 MW/500 MWh at a tariff of ₹248,000 (~$2,880.04)/MW/month, Bondada Engineering won 200 MW/400 MWh at a tariff of ₹246,000 (~$2,856.81)/MW/month, and Oriana Power won 50 MW/100 MWh at a tariff of ₹246,000 (~$2,856.81)/MW/month.</p>
<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-launches-%E2%82%B923-million-startup-challenge-for-rooftop-solar-innovation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> the Innovative Projects Startup Challenge with a total prize pool of ₹23 million (~$265,650) to encourage innovation in rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy technologies. Applications for the challenge must be submitted by August 20, 2025. Results will be announced on September 10, 2025. The initiative is supported by the National Institute of Solar Energy and coordinated in partnership with StartUp India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.</p>
<p>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://mercomindia.com/merc-orders-refund-of-excess-wheeling-charges-to-wind-power-generator-2#:~:text=The%20Maharashtra%20Electricity%20Regulatory%20Commission,power%20generator%2C%20with%20applicable%20interest." target="_blank" rel="noopener">directed</a> the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to refund ₹6.8 million (~$78,351) in wheeling and transmission charges for the September 2021- May 2023 period for a wind power generator, with applicable interest. The petitioner, Serum Institute of India (SIIPL), installed captive generating projects by setting up 29 wind turbine generators and sought open access to its wind-generating units. MSEDCL issued monthly bills to SIIPL for the period from September 2021 to May 2023. However, it levied and recovered the wheeling and transmission charges based on actual gross injection rather than actual energy drawal at the consumption end.</p>
<p>REC Power Development and Consultancy <a href="https://mercomindia.com/recpdcl-invites-bids-to-enhance-western-southern-grid-power-connectivity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for the implementation of a 765 kV interstate transmission system between Parli New, Maharashtra, and Bidar, Karnataka, on a build, own, operate, and transfer basis. Bids must be submitted by August 22, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work encompasses the survey, design, engineering, financing, land acquisition, right-of-way clearance, permits, construction, testing, and commissioning of the transmission system. It also entails providing operations and maintenance services for 35 years.</p>
<p>NHPC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/nhpc-invites-bids-to-set-up-5-6-mw-rooftop-solar-projects-in-sikkim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a request for selection to set up 5.6 MW of rooftop solar projects on government buildings in Sikkim. Bids must be submitted by July 24, 2025. Bids will be opened on July 29. The scope of work entails the design, engineering, procurement and supply of equipment and materials, multi–level inspections, packing and forwarding, erection, testing, and commissioning of the projects. It also involves unloading and storage of equipment at the project site, conducting associated civil works, and obtaining the necessary permits and licenses.</p>
<p>New Delhi-based solar solutions and electric vehicle charger manufacturer Servotech Renewable Power System (Servotech) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/servotech-acquires-27-stake-in-module-manufacturer-rhine-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered</a> a definitive agreement to acquire a 27% stake in post-money valuation in solar module manufacturing company Rhine Solar. The cost of the acquisition was not disclosed. This acquisition is part of Servotech’s plan to expand its renewable energy portfolio and enhance its position as a comprehensive solar solutions provider. The company aims to leverage Rhine Solar’s existing infrastructure and expertise in solar module manufacturing to establish a foundation for large-scale module production in the country.</p>
<p>Gurgaon-based ACME Solar Holdings <a href="https://mercomindia.com/acme-secures-%E2%82%B910-72-billion-refinancing-for-250-mw-rajasthan-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a domestic project finance facility totaling ₹10.72 billion (~$128.38 million) for its wholly-owned subsidiary, ACME Aklera Power Technology. This facility will be used to refinance the debt associated with the company’s 250 MW operational solar project in Rajasthan. The refinancing aims to decrease the project’s financing cost by 95 basis points to an annual rate of 8.5%. The Rajasthan project has been operational for approximately 18 months, with an annual capacity utilization factor of 29.3% in the financial year 2025.</p>
<p>The Bihar State Power Generation Company <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bihar-issues-tender-for-10-mw-floating-solar-project-at-durgawati-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for the development of a 10 MW grid-connected floating solar project over the reservoir of Durgawati Dam, in the Kaimur/Rohtas district. Bids must be submitted by July 2, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scope of work encompasses the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of the floating solar project, as well as the construction of a dedicated high-tension line for grid connectivity.</p>
<p>China <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/china-adds-record-93-gw-of-solar-capacity-in-may" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> a record 93 GW of solar power capacity in May 2025, the highest-ever monthly figure. This one-month addition exceeds the cumulative solar installations of many countries. The National Energy Administration reported that China’s electricity consumption in May reached 809.6 TWh, a 4.4% increase year-over-year. The primary industry used 11.9 TWh, the secondary sector consumed 541.4 TWh, the tertiary industry used 155 TWh, and the residential consumption totaled 101.3 TWh.</p>
<p>The global energy storage capacity additions are <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/global-energy-storage-market-remains-resilient-amid-us-and-china-policy-changes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected</a> to grow by 35% in 2025 to 94 GW or 247 GWh, according to BloombergNEF’s (BNEF) latest outlook. BNEF forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 14.7% between 2025 and 2035, with yearly additions reaching 220 GW or 972 GWh by 2035. The growth will be driven by traditional markets and large-scale utility projects launched or under construction in countries such as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands, Chile, Canada, and the UK.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Experts Feel BESS Will Phase Out Power Banking


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					</table><p>NLC India Renewables (<a href="https://www.nlcindia.in/website/en/corebusiness/renewableprojects.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NLC India</a>), <a href="https://bondada.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bondada Engineering</a>, and <a href="https://orianapower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oriana Power</a> have won Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation’s (<a href="https://www.tngecl.org/en/greenenergy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNGECL</a>) auction to set up 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in six locations in Tamil Nadu on a build-own-operate basis.</p>
<p>NLC India Renewables won 250 MW/500 MWh at a tariff of ₹248,000 (~$2,880.04)/MW/month, Bondada Engineering won 200 MW/400 MWh at a tariff of ₹246,000 (~$2,856.81)/MW/month, and Oriana Power won 50 MW/100 MWh at a tariff of ₹246,000 (~$2,856.81)/MW/month.<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-81093 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942.png" alt="" width="711" height="282" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942.png 711w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942-300x119.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942-650x258.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942-624x247.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tngcel-e1750750453942-600x238.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px" /></a>NLC India will set up a BESS project each at the Ottapidaram, Anuppankulam, and Kayathar substations. Bondada Engineering will set up one BESS project each at Vellalaviduthi and Thennampatty substations. Oriana Power will set up a BESS project at the Karaikudi substation.</p>
<p>The tender was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-floats-tender-for-500-mw-1000-mwh-standalone-bess-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> in March 2025.</p>
<p>The projects must be completed within 18 months.</p>
<p>The projects will enable the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation to charge and discharge the storage systems on demand. The BESS must also enable charging and discharging in groups of 50 MW/100 MWh and 100 MW/200 MWh.</p>
<p>The projects must be designed for interconnection with the state transmission utility network. They must also enable charging and discharging with a C-rate (charging/discharging rate) of 0.5.</p>
<p>The three auction winners must ensure that the BESS is available for two full operation cycles daily and guarantee a minimum annual system availability of 95%. They must also ensure that 100% of the BESS’ minimum dispatchable capacity is met.</p>
<p>The projects must guarantee a minimum AC-to-AC round-trip efficiency of 85% every month.</p>
<p>The BESS requirement is technology agnostic. However, only commercially established and operational technologies must be used to minimize the technology risk and achieve timely project commissioning.</p>
<p>The projects will be charged by drawing power from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL) and injecting it into its network per the instructions issued by the state load dispatch centers.</p>
<p>TNPDCL will provide the required power for charging the BESS under the minimum system efficiency agreement.</p>
<p>The Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation will provide land to the selected bidders for an annual lease rate of ₹1 (~$0.011)/project/year.</p>
<p>Under the viability gap funding (VGF) support from the Ministry of Power, the projects will receive VGF of 30% of the BESS’ capital cost or ₹2.7 million (~$31,101)/MWh, whichever is lower. This funding will be disbursed in five tranches.</p>
<p>To <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-54-billion-vgf-battery-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">encourage</a> the development of more BESS projects, the Ministry of Power announced the second tranche of VGF in April 2025. Under this tranche, a VGF of ₹1.8 million (~$21,043)/MWh will be provided to support the development of 30 GWh of BESS capacity.</p>


NLC, Bondada, Oriana Win TNGECL’s 500 MW/1,000 MWh BESS Auction


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					</table><p>The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (<a href="https://www.tngecl.org/en/greenenergy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNGECL</a>) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) to empanel landowners willing to provide land for developing 1 MW to 4 MW solar power projects under Components A and C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.</p>
<p>The land will be used for decentralized, grid-connected solar projects, either ground or stilt-mounted.</p>
<p>Bids must be submitted by July 4, 2025.  Bids will be opened on July 5, 2025.</p>
<p>Bidders must submit a bid processing fee of ₹10,000 (~$116.8) plus 18% GST.</p>
<p>The offer to lease the land will be valid for 180 days from the date the bids are opened.</p>
<p>The land will be sourced from private landowners, land aggregators, registered farmer-producer organizations, entrepreneurs, sole proprietorships, and partnerships.</p>
<p>Bidders can be farmers, groups of farmers, panchayats, and water user associations.</p>
<p>Bidders can also include limited liability partnerships, consortiums, companies, cooperative societies, technology providers, registered non-governmental organizations, registered trusts, government agencies, government companies, and public sector undertakings.</p>
<p>TNGECL will release information about the identified land under a separate request for selection tender to the solar project developers.</p>
<p>Successful bidders must offer land on a lease basis to solar project developers for at least 30 years.</p>
<p>The minimum size of the land offered must be four acres of contiguous land in a single location. It must also be close to a substation.</p>
<p>The land can be either barren, uncultivable, or agricultural.</p>
<p>It must be within a 5 km radius of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation or Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation’s 33/11 kV or 110/11 kV substations.</p>
<p>The land parcels must not be in existing protected areas, national parks, or any notified wetland.</p>
<p>Bidders can offer land at a single site or multiple sites adjacent to each other under a single substation. They can also provide land at multiple locations under different substations in the same or different districts.</p>
<p>Solar project developers can either take the land identified under this EoI on a lease basis or source their own land to develop solar projects.</p>
<p>Last year, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-solar-projects-under-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> a tender to set up 420 MW of solar power projects under Component A of PM-KUSUM program.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of real-time tender activity.</p>


Tamil Nadu Floats EoI for Leasing Land Parcels for KUSUM Projects


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					</table><p>The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.tnerc.tn.gov.in/website/Regulation.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNERC</a>) has dismissed the petition filed by Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (<a href="https://tngecl2.tnebltd.org/en/greenenergy/about-us/tngecl-profile/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNGECL</a>) for procuring 5 MW of solar power under Component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.</p>
<p>The petition was rejected due to multiple procedural shortcomings, lack of adherence to guidelines, and insufficient responses from bidders.</p>
<p>The Commission found that the tender process violated TNERC’s previous directions and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) guidelines by not setting an upper ceiling tariff, leading to non-competitive pricing.</p>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<p>The case revolves around TNGECL’s attempt to procure 420 MW of solar power under the PM-KUSUM program which aims to increase renewable energy adoption by allowing farmers to set up decentralized solar power projects and sell electricity to the grid.</p>
<p>Initially, TNERC had approved the purchase of solar power under the program with a ceiling tariff of ₹3.30 (~$0.038)/kWh through competitive bidding. However, due to a poor response to previous tenders, TNGECL issued a new tender on February 14, 2024, without prescribing any upper ceiling tariff to attract more competitive bids.</p>
<p>TNGECL argued that the revised MNRE guidelines allowed for more flexibility, including the possibility of passing on the procurement-based incentive of ₹0.40 (~$0.0046)/kWh to renewable power generators. It sought approval for a tariff of ₹3.28 (~$0.038)/kWh, as quoted by the successful bidders.</p>
<p>TNGECL contended that the approved rate was reasonable, considering the rates offered by the Solar Corporation of India at ₹3.22 (~$0.037)/kWh after adding transmission costs and that the procurement-based incentive benefits would further reduce costs for power distribution companies (DISCOMs).</p>
<p>Only four farmers out of seven qualified, with a cumulative capacity of 5 MW and tariffs finalized at ₹3.28 (~$0.038)/kWh. TNGECL requested TNERC’s approval for the rates and ratification of its actions.</p>
<p><strong>Commission’s Analysis</strong></p>
<p>TNERC identified several key issues with TNGECL’s petition. The Commission noted that the tender was floated without an upper ceiling tariff.</p>
<p>It compared the approved tariff of ₹3.28 (~$0.038)/kWh with rates in other states like Madhya Pradesh (₹3.25 (~$0.037)/kWh) and Uttar Pradesh (₹3.10 (~$0.036)/kWh), concluding that the quoted rates were higher than the norm.</p>
<p>Additionally, TNGECL’s stance on whether procurement-based incentive benefits would be passed to DISCOMs or renewable power generators was contradictory and lacked supporting documentation.</p>
<p>Despite approval for 420 MW, only 5 MW of capacity was awarded due to non-adherence to MNRE guidelines, including the failure to publish lists of available land for solar projects and the absence of direct lease rent payment provisions.</p>
<p>Given these issues, TNERC dismissed the petition and suggested that TNGECL reissue a revised tender that complies with MNRE guidelines. TNERC has mandated that before initiating any tender process involving DISCOMs as potential buyers, TNGECL must seek prior concurrence from Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL).</p>
<p>TNGECL, in coordination with TNPDCL, must assess and publish the renewable energy generation capacity for each substation with rural feeders. To improve participation, TNGECL must develop a dedicated online portal to facilitate land leasing for renewable energy projects, allowing farmers to list available land parcels for developers.</p>
<p>TNERC also instructed TNGECL to advertise tenders widely in Tamil and English newspapers to attract greater participation and issue a formal ‘expressions of interest’ call to identify willing farmers and developers, per TNERC guidelines dated January 24, 2024.</p>
<p>TNERC must approve any proposed deviations from MNRE guidelines to ensure compliance and safeguard procurement-based incentives for DISCOMs.</p>
<p>TNERC also emphasized the need for TNGECL to explore mechanisms for direct payment of land lease fees from DISCOMs to farmers to ensure regular payments and build confidence among landowners.</p>
<p>TNGECL must apply for a trading license to facilitate regulatory compliance and explore trading margin opportunities. Provisions must be included in the letter of award to reduce project capacity if commissioning delays exceed six months from the issuance date. TNGECL should also consider mandating a battery storage component of at least 15% of the installed solar capacity in future tenders to enhance grid stability.</p>
<p>Additionally, the Commission directed TNGECL to explore the implementation of Component C of the PM-KUSUM program for agricultural feeder solarization to avail central financial assistance.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable sector.</p>


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