By Team Newscript,
August 14, 2025
- Thermal and Renewable Power: AUSC Coal Projects Hit Approval Roadblocks
India’s ambitions to modernise its ageing coal fleet with advanced ultra-supercritical (AUSC) technology are running into bureaucratic delays. Announced in the Union Budget 2024–25, the projects were intended to replace over 130GW of coal capacity nearing 30 years of service. Industry executives say AUSC units, which operate at higher efficiency and lower emissions than conventional plants, are critical to meeting both energy security and climate commitments. However, multiple projects remain stuck awaiting environmental clearance and final techno-economic approvals. Developers warn that the cost of delay is twofold: rising maintenance bills for ageing units and a missed opportunity to integrate cleaner coal technology alongside renewables. The government is under pressure to accelerate decisions, especially as evening peak demand continues to rely on coal despite record renewable additions. Analysts note that without timely approvals, India risks a widening reliability gap in its power supply matrix, potentially slowing industrial growth and undermining decarbonisation targets.
- Nuclear Sector Expansion: Private Entry to Power India’s Atomic Leap
New Delhi is weighing a historic policy shift that would allow private companies into uranium mining and imports, as part of a roadmap to expand nuclear power capacity from 9GW today to 100GW by 2047. The reform, under discussion in the Prime Minister’s Office, would also ease foreign investment restrictions, enabling global nuclear giants to partner with Indian operators. Proponents argue the move could unlock capital, technology and fuel security, especially as nuclear offers a stable, zero-carbon baseload to complement intermittent renewables. India’s current uranium supply is largely dependent on imports from countries such as Kazakhstan and Canada. By inviting private participation, policymakers hope to speed up fuel exploration, secure long-term supply agreements, and attract reactor manufacturers into joint ventures. Critics caution that safety oversight and non-proliferation safeguards will need tightening. The push aligns with India’s broader goal of diversifying its energy basket and insulating the grid from fossil fuel price shocks.
- Clean Energy Tenders: Storage Surges as Solar-Wind Slow
India’s renewable capacity stood at 185GW as of June 2025, yet the flow of fresh tenders for solar and wind projects has noticeably slowed. Industry trackers attribute the lull to tariff disputes, land acquisition bottlenecks, and delays in payment security mechanisms. In contrast, energy storage—particularly large-scale battery systems—has emerged as the most awarded capacity in recent months, reflecting the government’s push to stabilise renewable-heavy grids. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has reaffirmed its plan to tender 50GW of new projects annually, aiming for over 500GW by 2032, but developers warn the targets are at risk unless contract bankability improves. While corporate procurement of green power is rising, analysts say tender momentum must recover quickly to maintain investor confidence and avoid jeopardising climate commitments.
- Corporate Moves: Arbitration Win and Green Hydrogen Pact
Reliance Infrastructure has secured a ₹526 crore arbitration award against Aravali Power, ending a long-running dispute over contractual obligations. The award bolsters the company’s balance sheet as it focuses on deleveraging and new projects. Meanwhile, Thermax has entered into a partnership with Norway’s HydrogenPro to localise green hydrogen technology in India. The collaboration will set up manufacturing for high-capacity alkaline electrolyser systems, a key enabler for India’s hydrogen mission. Analysts see the move as a sign that global cleantech partnerships are accelerating, driven by policy incentives and corporate decarbonisation targets.
- Other Notables: Big Bets on Coal and Hydro
Adani Power has broken ground on a $3 billion, 2.4GW coal-fired power plant in Bihar, designed to serve rising demand in eastern India and neighbouring states. The project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and strengthen grid stability in a region prone to shortages. Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved over ₹8,000 crore for a new hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh. The scheme will harness the state’s vast river potential, adding clean peaking capacity and supporting the North-East’s integration into the national grid.