Assam clears long-term plan to source 500 MW coal power

24 Apr 2025 CW Team

The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission has given in-principle approval to Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) to procure 500 MW of coal-based power under 25-year contracts, as the state looks to meet growing electricity demand.

The procurement will be implemented in phases — 200 MW starting FY26 and another 300 MW from FY29 — at a levelised tariff of Rs 5.79 per kWh, discovered through competitive bidding on the power ministry’s DEEP portal.

The decision comes amid Assam’s accelerating energy needs driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and rural electrification. Officials said the new power agreements were guided by projections in the Central Electricity Authority’s Resource Adequacy Plan, which recommends fresh coal-based contracts until FY35 to ensure stable supply and meet renewable purchase obligations.

APDCL currently sources electricity from 36 entities, including central allocations, IPPs, and its own hydro plants. However, seasonal variation in hydropower output — due to erratic monsoons and drought-like conditions — has made grid reliability a challenge.

“This is a bridging measure to address short- to mid-term supply gaps,” an APDCL official said. “While we scale up renewables, we need firm coal-based supply to avoid disruptions.”

AERC has cleared the deal under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and will monitor performance, environmental compliance, and tariff revisions. Officials also confirmed that the procurement is part of a broader transition plan that includes hybrid renewable projects and large-scale battery storage.

Image source:www.orfonline.org

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Danube Launches Greenz Villa Community in Dubai

Danube Properties has launched Greenz by Danube, a fully furnished master villa community in Dubai, unveiled by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, at an event attended by over 7,000 investors and business leaders.Located near Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Silicon Oasis, the development marks Danube’s first large-scale integrated villa community and is positioned within one of Dubai’s emerging residential corridors.The project will comprise three and four-bedroom townhouses along with five-bedroom semi-detached and twin villas...

ABB Launches IE6 Motor for Hazardous Industrial Areas

ABB has introduced what it claims is the world’s first IE6 Hyper-Efficiency motor certified for hazardous industrial environments under ATEX and IECEx standards.The new Increased Safety motor is based on ABB’s synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology and is designed without magnets or rare earth materials. According to the company, the motor reduces energy losses by up to 60 per cent compared to standard IE3 induction motors commonly used in hazardous areas.The motor is intended for use in industries such as chemicals, marine, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, where expl..

Casagrand Launches 41-Acre Highcity Project in Chennai

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Highcity, a 41-acre integrated residential development on Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), marking the company’s largest residential project to date.The project will comprise over 4,000 two and three BHK apartments across four G+22 towers and is positioned as one of the largest organised residential developments in the ORR corridor.Located along Chennai’s emerging residential and infrastructure growth belt, the project benefits from connectivity to IT hubs including Navalur, Siruseri SIPCOT and Porur, as well as industrial clusters such as Sriperumbudur, ..