APTEL Grants 289-Day Extension for POWERGRID Transmission Project

21 Aug 2024 CW Team

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) determined that the POWERGRID Southern Interconnector Transmission System is entitled to a 289-day extension for completing its transmission project, acknowledging that the delay resulted from ?force majeure? events. Consequently, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has been directed to issue a new order, taking into account the appellate authority?s observations, and has been given two months to finalize this process.

In a separate decision, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) approved a petition from the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) for the procurement of 2,000 MW of solar power. This move aligns with the government?s objective to reach 500 GW of non-fossil-based installed power capacity by 2030. UPPCL's proposal for acquiring 2,000 MW of solar power is intended to support this target. The tender documents were developed according to the Ministry of Power?s guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding for solar projects. These projects are expected to be executed on a build, own, operate, and maintain (BOOM) basis, with a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) duration. The Uttar Pradesh Solar Policy 2022 will be applicable, offering various advantages to developers.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..