UK-based Power Roll has announced an agreement with Thermax Group, a Pune-headquartered energy and environment solutions provider, to develop the market for its lightweight, flexible solar film in India. Power Roll says its solar film technology can produce up to 20 times cheaper electricity than existing flexible PVs.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a revised cost estimate of Rs. 9,129.32 crore for strengthening the intra-state electricity transmission and distribution network of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, as it works on improving electricity transmission and distribution for the northeastern states

HESCOM has invited bids for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of 20 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects on residential buildings under the net metering programme. The projects will be developed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Phase-II solar rooftop programme.

To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd for utilisation of 500 km of OPGW telecom network. This is in addition to the existing 350 km of OPGW laid on HPSEBL lines already being used in the state.

The 24 MW Bhoothathankettu small hydroelectric project will soon be ready for power generation, according to the Kerala Power Department. Work is progressing at a brisk pace on the project, which is among eight delayed hydel projects that the KSEB hopes to commission in 2021-22.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd has invited bids to install and commission distributed grid-connected solar systems for agricultural consumers under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) programme. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 37.8 crore.

WBSEDCL is developing a 10 MW (2x5 MW) small hydroelectric project in Lodhama in Darjeeling district of West Bengal on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract basis. The project’s estimated cost is Rs. 51.04 crore.

The state forest department is examining whether the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd needs environment clearance for the project to install six transmission towers through the heart of Ambazari Biodiversity Park.

MSEDCL has installed 10 electric vehicle charging stations in Mumbai region, and with tests being completed this week they will soon be thrown open to the public. Fifty stations are being set up across the state in the first phase, followed by a total 500 across Maharashtra by next year.