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					</table><p>The Ministry of Finance <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-widens-duty-exemption-for-li-ion-cell-manufacturing-equipment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a notification amending the customs duty exemption applicable to machinery used in lithium-ion cell manufacturing by replacing the existing list of eligible equipment under the 2002 customs notification. The entries corresponding to Serial Nos. 69 and 69A in the earlier customs notification have been substituted with a revised list of machinery used in lithium-ion cell manufacturing.</p>
<p>Further <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/pms-economic-advisory-panel-calls-for-faster-energy-storage-deployment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">growth</a> in solar generation without adequate expansion in energy storage will add to grid stress, a working paper released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said. The paper argues that the rapid growth in solar generation has shifted the primary challenge of the country’s power sector from generation adequacy to grid flexibility.</p>
<p>As India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/experts-emphasize-synchronizing-transmission-and-power-generation-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expands</a> renewable energy capacity, industry stakeholders say right-of-way and land acquisition challenges continue to limit visibility on project timelines, slowing grid infrastructure expansion. At the session “Renewable Energy at Scale: Aligning Capacity, Grid, and Demand” at the Mercom India Renewables Summit 2026, panelists discussed grid readiness for renewable energy expansion, supply chain constraints, and the renewable energy industry’s growing responsibility in maintaining grid stability.</p>
<p>The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cerc-rejects-connectivity-bank-guarantee-relief-for-100-mw-wind-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> the petition filed by wind power generators seeking a relaxation from the requirement to submit Connectivity-Bank Guarantee 2 under the General Network Access regulations. The Commission noted that the Central Transmission Utility of India’s letter requiring EG Pavan and EG Solaire to furnish Conn-BG2 was in conformity with the regulations.</p>
<p>The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uperc-adopts-tariffs-for-22-4-mw-solar-projects-under-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> power purchase agreements for 22.4 MW of solar projects under the feeder-level solarization program of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan. The Commission also adopted the tariffs ranging from ₹2.86 (~$0.033)/kWh to ₹2.99 (~$0.035)/kWh for the projects.</p>
<p>The Mizoram Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mizorams-draft-grid-code-addresses-storage-and-renewable-integration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the draft Mizoram Electricity Grid Code, 2026, to govern the planning, connectivity, operation, scheduling, dispatch, protection, and security of the state’s electricity grid. The regulations will apply to users connected at 33 kV and above to the intrastate transmission system and the State Load Despatch Center. They will also apply to new connections and equipment procured or installed for new works or replacements after the Grid Code becomes effective.</p>
<p>The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/herc-allows-steel-firm-to-draw-power-from-100-mw-wind-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">directed</a> Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam to allow a steel manufacturer to draw 100 MW of power from a wind-solar hybrid project, subject to operational safeguards for curtailment and compensation.</p>
<p>Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital &amp; Research Center <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/homi-bhabha-cancer-hospital-invites-bids-for-3-mw-captive-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up a 3 MW captive solar power project at its premises in Visakhapatnam. The successful bidder will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project for 10 years. The last date to submit bids online is August 20, 2026. Bids will be opened on August 28.</p>
<p>Renewable energy solutions provider Serentica Renewables <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/serentica-raises-345-million-debt-financing-from-adb-led-consortium" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a $345.1 million loan agreement to develop and refinance a 395.4 MW solar-wind hybrid power project in Koppal, Karnataka.</p>
<p>Hyderabad-based solar module and cell manufacturer Premier Energies <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/premier-energies-inaugurates-5-6-gw-solar-module-facility-in-telangana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inaugurated</a> a 5.6 GW zero-busbar solar module manufacturing facility in Seetharampur, Telangana. The company also held the groundbreaking ceremony for a 6 GWh battery energy storage manufacturing facility and an aluminum frame manufacturing plant, with an annual production capacity of 18,000 metric tons, on the same premises.</p>
<p>Alternative credit platform BlackSoil <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/blacksoil-to-acquire-credit-fairs-solar-financing-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it will acquire Credit Fair’s solar financing business, marking its entry into India’s renewable energy financing sector. As part of the transaction, BlackSoil will acquire the solar financing business, including its management team, technology platform, brand, and operating infrastructure. Credit Fair’s solar financing assets under management stand at ₹1.53 billion (~$16.04 million).</p>
<p>The National Energy Regulator of South Africa <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/south-africa-approves-generation-licenses-for-890-mw-of-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> generation licenses for four solar projects with a combined contracted capacity of 890 MW. The projects were approved under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program Bid Window 7.3.</p>


<p>In a meeting with the Ministry of Power (<a href="https://powermin.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MoP</a>) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MNRE</a>), Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for a more holistic approach for solarizing the agricultural sector and innovative models in the rooftop solar sector.</p>
<p>He said that the entire supply chain for the agricultural sector, ranging from solar water pumps to decentralized solar cold storages, must be developed in a more holistic approach. He also stated that every state must have at least one fully solarized city. The city can be the capital or a popular tourist destination and must be powered solely through rooftop solar power.</p>
<p>PM Modi also said that the country needs to boost its production of ingots, solar wafers, cells, and modules. This would also have the additional benefit of generating employment.</p>
<p>Speaking about the power sector collectively, he added that it needs to enhance consumer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and improving financial sustainability. Regarding the power distribution segment, he said, “Instead of looking for a one-size-fits-all solution, the Ministry should put in place state-specific solutions to incentivize each state to improve its performance.”</p>
<p>Additionally, Modi encouraged the Ministry of Power to ensure that distribution companies are transparent on their performance parameters and asked the Ministry to promote the use of “Make in India” equipment in the power sector.</p>
<p>Mercom recently <a href="https://mercomindia.com/discoms-power-bills-online-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> that despite all the relief provided considering the ongoing pandemic, many DISCOMs, including those in <a href="https://mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-power-discoms-grapple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Uttar Pradesh</a>, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/madhya-pradesh-ministry-payment-delays/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Madhya Pradesh</a>, and <a href="https://mercomindia.com/andhra-discom-invokes-force-majeure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andhra Pradesh</a>, refused to pay power generators claiming their inability to collect power dues from the consumers. Mercom recently <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bailing-out-power-discoms-every-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">published a report</a> on the recent fiscal stimulus provided to distribution companies and why it’s not a good idea.</p>
<p>Previously, the Prime Minister also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/prime-minister-modi-stock-power-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">held</a> a meeting to take stock of the power sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meeting, the Prime Minister discussed various measures and long-term reforms for enhancing sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of the sector. The meeting was attended by the Home Minister, Finance Minister, Minister of State for Power, and Minister of State for Finance along with senior government officials.</p>
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<p>Image credit: Kremlin.ru / CC <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BY</a></p>


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