CERC Allows Connectivity Extension for Delayed Renewable Projects

Karnataka Announces 3 GW Agricultural Feeder Solarization Program

Maharashtra Proposes ₹2.82/kWh Tariff for Surplus Rooftop Solar Power

Kedarnath Multigrains Cuts Power Bills With 659 kW Rooftop Solar System

IL&FS Mutual Fund Commits ₹1.25 Billion Investment in Hero Solar Energy

POWERGRID Seeks Partner for PSPCL’s 100 MWh Battery Storage Project

POWERGRID Invites Bids for 50 MW/100 MWh Battery Storage Project in Punjab

Bank of Baroda Raises ₹100 Billion Through Green Infrastructure Bonds

Himachal Proposes EV Charging Points, Energy Efficiency Norms for Buildings

Daily News Wrap-Up: Karnataka Revises Power Tariffs


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					</table><p>The <a href="https://karnataka.gov.in/english" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karnataka government</a> has announced a new feeder-level solarization program, Mukhya Mantri Saura Krishi Yojane, under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM) Component C.</p>
<p>Under this program, the government aims to establish 3 GW of feeder-level solarization projects at Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation’s substations under the renewable energy service company model, with an outlay of ₹105 billion (~$1.14 billion).</p>
<p>The government also plans to execute 2,777 MW of solar projects under PM-KUSUM Component C this year.</p>
<p>The announcements were made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his Budget 2027 speech.</p>
<p>The government also announced a plan to generate 4 GW of energy through solar microgrids under the Anantha program, to be set up in all gram panchayats in the state. The solar microgrids will be established through a public-private partnership model.</p>
<p>Siddaramaiah also announced a project to install rooftop solar systems on buildings of 25 regional transport offices, driving tracks, and automated testing stations.</p>
<p>To encourage startups in the renewable energy sector, the government has proposed establishing an Incubation Center in collaboration with IIM Bangalore, the University of New South Wales, Australia, and IISc Bangalore, at an estimated cost of ₹200 million (~$2.18 million).</p>
<p>Recognizing the importance of battery storage projects for grid stability  and peak-load management, the government plans to establish an additional 2 GWh of battery storage capacity at the Huliyur, Pavagada, and Kushtagi substations, at an estimated cost of ₹34 billion (~$370.53 million)</p>
<p>To promote the use of electric vehicles, it also proposed 1,250 electric vehicle charging stations in public places, with assistance from distribution companies (DISCOMs) under the PM- E-Drive program, at an estimated cost of ₹7.77 billion (~$84.67 million).</p>
<p>To strengthen the transmission network, Karnataka set up 100 new substations in FY 2026. Over the next year, it plans to establish another 100 substations.</p>
<p>Recently, Karnataka <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/karnataka-revises-power-tariffs-after-allowing-discoms-review-petition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduced</a> tariffs for the use of agricultural pumps across DISCOMs to ₹6.57 (~$0.0713)/kWh and ₹7.79 (~$0.0845)/kWh, down from the prior unfirm rate of ₹8.30 (~$0.0901)/kWh.</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 industry.</p>



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					</table><p><a href="https://hartek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hartek Group</a>’s Power Systems business unit has secured cumulative substation and transmission infrastructure orders worth ₹7.35 billion (~$80.85 million) across the utility, independent power producer (IPP), and industrial segments.</p>
<p>The projects are spread across Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, and cover voltage levels ranging from 66 kV to 765 kV.</p>
<p>The contracts include the development of grid-ready substations, switchyards, transmission infrastructure, and protection systems to support both utility-scale renewable energy projects and large-scale industrial applications.</p>
<p>According to the company, the projects are designed to strengthen regional and interstate transmission networks, enhance grid reliability, and enable efficient power evacuation.</p>
<p>The company said these order wins strengthen its position as an integrated power system engineering partner with execution capabilities. The Power Systems division has delivered more than 400 extra-high-voltage and high-voltage substations up to 765 kV.</p>
<p>Hartek Group has connected over 10 GW of solar capacity connected to the national grid, leading to the reduction of 300 million tons of carbon emissions. In addition, it has installed over<strong> </strong>200 MW of rooftop solar capacity across the country.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, Hartek Power <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hartek-epc-contract-for-280-mw-solar-plus-320-mwh-bess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received</a> an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a 280 MW solar project, along with an 80 MW/320 MWh battery energy storage system, at Challakere in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka.</p>
<p>In November last year, it <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hartek-commissions-300-mw-solar-epc-project-in-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commissioned</a> a 300 MW solar power project in Rajasthan.</p>
<p>In July 2025, the company <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hartek-bags-%E2%82%B91-38-billion-substation-contract-from-pgcil-in-karnataka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a contract from the Power Grid Corporation of India to develop a 400 kV air-insulated substation. This substation is part of the transmission program to integrate renewable energy zones in Davanagere, Chitradurga, and Ballari districts of Karnataka.</p>
<p>In January 2025, the company’s commercial and industrial rooftop solar business <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hartek-wins-epc-contract-for-8-mw-rooftop-solar-project-in-jk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> a solar EPC contract from Kandhari Beverages for an 8 MW rooftop solar installation project in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>


Hartek Secures ₹7.35 Billion Transmission Infrastructure Orders in 9 States


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					</table><p>The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (<a href="https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MSEDCL</a>) has invited bids to develop 88 MW of solar projects in the Nagpur region of Maharashtra.</p>
<p>The last date to submit the bid is May 8, 2023. Bids will open on the same day.</p>
<p>MSEDCL has set a ceiling tariff of ₹3.20 (~$0.03)/kWh.</p>
<p>Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹100,000 (~$1,222)/MW. It will be valid for 6 months from the last date of bid submission.</p>
<p>Successful bidders must remit a performance bank guarantee of ₹500,000 (~$6,109)/MW within 30 days from the date of the work order, which would be valid for 14 months from the effective date.</p>
<p>The bidders must obtain all the necessary permits and clearances required to establish the solar power projects.</p>
<p>They should have a net worth of ₹5.5 million (~$67,199)/MW as of the last day of the preceding financial year. Their net minimum annual turnover should be ₹2.5 million (~$30,544)/MW.</p>
<p>To fulfill the working capital requirement, it is necessary for bidders to have a written approval letter from a bank willing to provide a credit line of ₹1.25 million (~$15,272)/MW.</p>
<p>Within a month of the Letter of Award (LoA), a single Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 88 MW will be signed between the selected bidder and MSEDCL.</p>
<p>The PPA will remain valid for 25 years from the commercial operation date of the projects.</p>
<p>The project should be designed to deliver energy at 11 / 22 kV level of the substation of MSEDCL.</p>
<p>The winning bidder is responsible for arranging for grid connectivity with MSEDCL. The bidder must provide proof of securing the grid connection from MSEDCL within 6 months of the effective date.</p>
<p>The successful bidder will be responsible for transmitting power up to the interconnection point and setting up the necessary infrastructure for energy accounting at their own expense. The bidder will maintain the transmission and distribution system up to the interconnection point.</p>
<p>MSEDCL had earlier <a href="https://mercomindia.com/msedcl-bids-300-mw-solar-power-kusum-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to procure 300 MW of solar power from decentralized solar projects under Component A of the 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>


MSEDCL Invites Bids for 88 MW Solar Projects in Nagpur

<p>The Union Minister of Power R.K. Singh recently informed Parliament that the government had taken multiple steps to curb cyber threats on the national power grid.</p>
<p>During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Singh informed that for securing the transmission assets of the power grid, the communication from the substations to the control centers is done over an optical fiber network owned by the POWERGRID without any connectivity to the external networks. They are further protected through multiple firewalls.</p>
<p>Singh added that these systems are kept isolated from the office networks to prevent any malicious online attack because of internet connectivity.</p>
<p>POWERGRID is certified under the Information Security Management System as laid down in the Information Technology Act 2000.</p>
<p>India will need an investment to the tune of $60-80 billion over the next five years in grid infrastructure to accommodate its tremendous growth in renewable energy capacity, the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said in a <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-requires-60-80-billion-investment-grid-infrastructure-ieefa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> published earlier this year.</p>
<p>The note suggests that grid infrastructure is as equally important investment opportunity as the renewable energy sector is in India. A robust grid infrastructure will minimize grid curtailments for renewable power and save renewable assets from financial risks.</p>
<p>According to the Central Electricity Authority, the total <a href="https://mercomindia.com/indias-transmission-infrastructure-struggles-wind-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">installed</a> power capacity by the end of 2021-22 is projected to be around 480 GW.</p>
<p>In February 2019, Mercom reported that the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://mercomindia.com/cerc-powergrid-monetize-transmission-telecom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recommended</a> that POWERGRID can monetize its transmission line towers by offering it to mobile telecom service providers on a commercial basis under section 41 of the Electricity Act, 2003.</p>
<p>Image credit: Simon Carey / Electricity Pylons, Lydd Ranges</p>


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