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In a significant step towards strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor industry, the Union Cabinet has approved the Semicon 2.0 programme with a budgetary allocation of ₹1.27 lakh crore. The initiative is designed to accelerate the development of a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem by supporting chip design, manufacturing, research, innovation, and talent development across the country.

Building on the progress achieved under the first phase of the India Semiconductor Mission, Semicon 2.0 introduces a broader policy framework aimed at establishing a self-reliant and globally competitive semiconductor industry. The programme is expected to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities while reducing dependence on imported semiconductor technologies.

The new mission adopts a six-pillar strategy that focuses on strengthening semiconductor fabrication, advanced packaging, design-led innovation, upstream supply chains, research and development, and workforce development. The government expects these measures to create a robust ecosystem that supports both domestic demand and export opportunities.

Officials estimate that the programme will attract substantial private investment, generate high-value employment, and encourage greater participation from global semiconductor companies. By expanding India’s manufacturing base and innovation capabilities, the initiative is expected to reinforce the country’s role in the international electronics supply chain.

The Cabinet approval reflects the government’s long-term commitment to positioning India as a leading destination for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced electronics. The programme is expected to complement other manufacturing initiatives and contribute significantly to the country’s vision of becoming a global technology and innovation hub.

Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies (ARACT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd., has commissioned its Customer Qualification Plant (CQP) at the company’s Giga Corridor in Telangana. The ₹500 crore facility marks a major milestone in the company’s strategy to establish large-scale lithium-ion cell manufacturing in India.

The newly operational plant has an initial production capacity of 60 MWh and is designed to manufacture lithium-ion cells for customer testing and qualification before the start of commercial-scale production. Acting as a bridge between laboratory research and full-scale manufacturing, the CQP will help validate cell designs, manufacturing processes, and product performance with OEM customers.

The facility is equipped to produce both cylindrical and prismatic lithium-ion cells across multiple chemistries, allowing flexibility in supporting diverse customer requirements. This qualification stage is expected to reduce manufacturing risks, accelerate technology commercialisation, and streamline the transition to high-volume production.

Amara Raja plans to begin supplying cells from the CQP to customers for validation from August 2026. The qualification plant will also support the company’s upcoming 2 GWh commercial manufacturing facility, Giga 1, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2027 as part of the broader ₹9,500 crore, 16 GWh Giga Corridor programme.

The CQP has been launched with a workforce of over 100 employees and forms part of the company’s Phase 1 investment, which has already crossed ₹1,500 crore. Together with the ePositive Energy Labs research centre and the upcoming commercial production facility, the plant strengthens Amara Raja’s ambitions to build a comprehensive battery manufacturing ecosystem in India while supporting the country’s clean energy and electric mobility goals.

ACME Solar has secured Rs 2,646.64 crore long-term project funding for its ACME Greentech Seventh 450MW/1800MWh Assured Peak Power Project from REC Ltd.

The company will deploy these funds for the development & construction of this project. REC Ltd will serve as the sole financer for this project for 20 years. The PPA for this project was signed with SJVN Limited at a tariff of INR 6.74/unit for a period of 25 years.

The ACME Greentech Seventh Assured Peak Power Project combines multiple renewable energy technologies including Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to meet the supply obligations and, ensures higher predictability and dispatchability.

ACME Solar Holdings Limited is a leading integrated renewable energy player with a diversified portfolio of 8,070 MW spanning solar, wind, storage, FDRE and hybrid solutions and an operational contracted capacity of 2,990 MW and ~3.3 GWh of BESS capacity and under-construction contracted capacity of 5,080 MW including ~18 GWh of BESS installation. The under-construction PPA-signed portfolio stands at 3,580 MW. With an in-house EPC and O&M division, the company does end-to-end development and O&M of the plants, thereby delivering projects in a time & cost-effective manner while ensuring best-in-class operating performance, evident in its industry-leading CUF and operating margins.

Marking the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra, Tata Power launched Odisha’s first-ever Solar Rath—a first-of-its-kind mobile awareness initiative to take the message of clean energy directly to people’s doorsteps and accelerate rooftop solar adoption under the Government of India’s flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Launched through TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), a joint venture between Tata Power and the Government of Odisha, the initiative reinforces Tata Power’s commitment to supporting the Government’s vision of expanding rooftop solar adoption, empowering consumers to generate their own clean energy and contributing to India’s transition towards a sustainable and energy-secure future.

The initiative builds on Odisha’s remarkable progress under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Recently recognised as the top-performing state in the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Awards among states with a medium consumer base, Odisha has emerged as a national leader in rooftop solar adoption through the efforts of Tata Power-led Odisha DISCOMs in partnership with the Government of Odisha. The state secured top honours for consumer applications, rooftop solar installations and DISCOM technical inspections, reflecting the scale and speed of implementation.

With over 1.5 lakh rooftop solar installations commissioned through the sustained efforts of Tata Power-led Odisha DISCOMs, the state has emerged as one of India’s leading rooftop solar success stories. The momentum has been particularly strong at the grassroots, with multiple districts crossing 10,000 rooftop solar installations and several villages progressing towards becoming fully solarised, enabling households to reduce electricity bills while moving towards energy self-reliance.

These achievements are enabling thousands of households to lower their electricity bills while moving towards greater energy self-reliance.

Building on this momentum, the Solar Rath will travel across Puri and Dhenkanal, taking awareness on rooftop solar directly to consumers.

Accompanying the initiative is Solar Sanga, a dedicated outreach ambassador who will educate households about the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, explain the benefits of rooftop solar, central and state government subsidies, eligibility criteria, the application process and rooftop solar solutions, including the 1 kW ULA Model, helping consumers identify options best suited to their energy needs.

The initiative aims to make reliable information on rooftop solar easily accessible through village visits, community interactions and awareness sessions. By bringing knowledge and guidance closer to consumers, Tata Power seeks to encourage greater participation in the Government’s flagship rooftop solar programme, enabling households to reduce electricity bills, generate clean energy and become active partners in India’s energy transition.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gajanan S. Kale, CEO, TPCODL and Chief of Odisha Distribution Business, said: “Rath Yatra symbolises taking blessings to the people, and through the Solar Rath, we are taking the message of clean energy and energy independence directly to communities across Odisha. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is transforming the way households consume and generate electricity. Through this unique outreach campaign, we aim to make rooftop solar more accessible by helping consumers understand the benefits, the government support available and the simple process of adopting solar. Building on Odisha’s remarkable progress and national recognition under the scheme, we remain committed to partnering with the Government to accelerate clean energy adoption and empower every household to become a part of India’s energy transition.”

The Solar Rath will visit villages, marketplaces and prominent public locations, where residents can interact with Solar Sanga and receive end-to-end guidance on adopting rooftop solar.

Through this first-of-its-kind initiative, Tata Power continues to strengthen consumer engagement while supporting the Government’s renewable energy ambitions and advancing Odisha’s journey towards a cleaner, greener and more energy-secure future.

Following the spin-off from Siemens AG in 2020 and the company’s successful development, Siemens Energy is now beginning preparations for the transition to an independent brand. This move is based on the time-limited license agreement governing the use of the brand.

In the future, the current entities Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy will be united under a single name and brand umbrella: Omterra. The rebranding process is scheduled to begin later this calendar year and will be implemented in stages.

“Since our spin-off, it has been clear that the licensed Siemens Energy brand would be available to us for a limited period. Today, our company is well positioned strategically, operationally and financially. We have earned the trust of our customers and the capital markets, improved our profitability, and have ambitious growth plans for the years ahead. Against this backdrop and given that the current brand agreement is time-limited, now is the right time to begin the transition to our own independent brand,” says Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy.

“We are proud of what our employees have built over the past few years. Our founder’s name opened doors and supported us on our path to independence. This legacy remains both an inspiration and a commitment for us as we actively help shape the energy world of tomorrow,” Bruch adds.

With Omterra, Siemens Energy is deliberately choosing an independent brand with global appeal. The new name reflects the company’s global footprint, its technological expertise, and its commitment to contributing to reliable energy supplies worldwide.

The company’s strategic direction remains unchanged for customers, business partners, and employees. The brand transition will be implemented gradually.

Bluebird Solar, one of India’s leading solar PV module manufacturers, has secured a significant order from NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) for the supply of 439.35 MW high-efficiency solar PV modules.

The order marks another major milestone in Bluebird Solar’s growth journey and further strengthens the company’s contribution to India’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector. Under the contract, Bluebird Solar will supply its advanced M10R N-Type TOPCon Dual-Glass Bifacial Solar PV Modules for deployment at NTPC Renewable Energy Limited’s utility-scale solar project in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. The modules are engineered to deliver superior efficiency, durability, and long-term performance.

The project reflects the continued confidence of India’s leading renewable energy developers in Bluebird Solar’s manufacturing capabilities, product quality, and execution excellence.

Speaking on this achievement, Mr. Rohit Tikku, CEO of Bluebird Solar, said, “Securing this prestigious order from NTPC Renewable Energy is a proud milestone for Bluebird Solar. It reflects the trust that leading developers place in our technology, manufacturing excellence, and commitment to quality. As India accelerates its clean energy transition, we remain focused on delivering world-class solar solutions that support the nation’s ambitious renewable energy goals.”

Mr. Akshay Mittal, Director, Bluebird Solar, added, “This order represents much more than a business milestone—it is a testament to Bluebird Solar’s continued focus on innovation, manufacturing excellence, and customer trust. We remain committed to expanding our capabilities, investing in advanced technologies, and supporting India’s vision of becoming a global clean energy leader. We sincerely thank NTPC Renewable Energy Limited for placing its confidence in Bluebird Solar.”

Bluebird Solar has consistently strengthened its manufacturing capabilities through investments in advanced technology, automation, and stringent quality control systems. The company operates a state-of-the-art 2.5 GW fully automated solar PV module manufacturing facility equipped with advanced production lines to deliver world-class quality and reliability. Its high-performance product portfolio is designed to maximize energy generation while ensuring long-term performance across diverse climatic conditions.

This order further demonstrates Bluebird Solar’s growing presence in the utility-scale solar segment and reinforces its commitment to supporting India’s vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity.

Looking ahead, Bluebird Solar is accelerating its expansion strategy with plans to establish 2.5 GW integrated manufacturing capacities for solar cells, wafers, ingots, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This forward integration will strengthen the company’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem, enhance supply chain resilience, and support India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies.

With a rapidly expanding manufacturing base, continuous investments in innovation, and a strong focus on quality, Bluebird Solar continues to serve utility-scale, commercial, industrial, and residential customers with reliable, high-efficiency solar solutions.

Airengy has signed an additional partnership agreement to explore and assess the potential and feasibility of long-duration compressed air energy storage in Nobian-operated salt cavern in Denmark with a capacity of 2.5 GWh (2,500 megawatt-hours) and an output of in the range of 3-10 megawatts.

The power plant is planned to be connected to an existing salt cavern in Denmark operated by Nobian, a European leader in high-purity salt, low-carbon essential chemicals and underground energy storage caverns. The collaboration will focus on evaluating Airengy’s AirBattery technology.

This is the fourth power-plant partnership across Europe announced by Airengy, following the plant in England (in partnership with KISTOS), Romania (in partnership with Hagag Europe), and Germany (in partnership with SEFE). The new agreement completes the company’s strategy of establishing operations throughout its key target markets.

Under the agreement, Nobian will be responsible for performing the works relating to the salt cavern, including regulatory and permitting processes, local communication, stakeholder management and the related infrastructure, and it will remain the license holder and the operator of the cavern. Airengy will be responsible for the AirBattery system design, air compression and electricity generation using the proprietary technology it developed. The project is aimed at developing an energy generation capacity potential of approximately 2.5 gigawatt-hours using Airengy’s compressed-air technology connected to an existing cavern.

The project is part of the implementation of the two-phase strategy published by Airengy in December: in the first phase, the company will form partnerships for the construction and design of power plants with an output of 1-1.5 megawatts in Romania and England, while in parallel advancing the establishment of large-scale power plants in Romania and now Denmark as well.

Louwrens op de Beek, Director Energy Storage at Nobian, said, “At Nobian, we see large-scale energy storage as a critical building block of a reliable and affordable renewable energy system. By exploring the combination of our salt cavern expertise with Airengy’s innovative technology, we aim to unlock new ways to store and release energy over longer periods, helping to reduce grid congestion. This collaboration fits perfectly with our Grow Greener Together strategy and our ambition to be a balancing partner in the energy system in Denmark.”

Maj. Gen. (res.) Yiftah Ron-Tal, Chairman of Airengy, stated, “The agreement with Nobian continues and advances our deployment into our European target markets and proves the company’s implementation capabilities. The collaboration connects Airengy’s energy-storage technology with existing geological infrastructure and industry know-how and demonstrates our ability to create partnerships with leading companies in strategic markets. We intend to continue forming additional partnerships that will accelerate the company’s growth and strengthen its standing in the global storage market.”

Tal Raz, CEO of Airengy, added, “The agreement with Nobian marks another milestone in Airengy’s development. Nobian is a European leader in salt mining and production, low-carbon essential chemicals and underground energy storage caverns development, with decades of experience, strategic assets and first-rate engineering capabilities. Nobian’s decision to collaborate with Airengy constitutes a strong expression of confidence in the technology we have developed and, in our ability to lead large-scale commercial projects. This partnership strengthens Airengy’s ability to advance additional commercial projects and to become a player in long-duration energy-storage infrastructure in Europe.

In parallel with the continued development of compressed-air-based energy-storage systems for the electricity grid, Airengy is exploring an expansion of its operations into the data-centers field, which is expected to be one of the most significant growth engines in demand for energy infrastructure over the coming decade. We believe that the CAPP technology we have developed, combined with strategic partnerships such as Nobian, can serve as a basis for advanced energy solutions for this market too.

We believe the coming decade will be defined by the construction of new energy infrastructure for electricity grids, industry, and data centers. Our goal is to position Airengy as one of Europe’s leading companies in long-duration energy solutions for these markets.”

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, today announced the partial syndication of its mezzanine debt investment in Blueleaf Energy to the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF).

EAAIF is a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company managed by global investment firm Ninety One. Blueleaf Energy is a leading pan-Asian renewable energy platform and independent power producer owned by Macquarie Asset Management, targeting the development of a renewable energy portfolio of around 5GW in India by 2030.

The transaction will see EAAIF participating for 50 per cent of the $75 million facility to Blueleaf Energy, underwritten by BII. As a result, EAAIF will support Blueleaf Energy in developing 850MW of greenfield renewable energy capacity.

Mezzanine financing remains highly additional in India’s renewable energy sector. BII’s investment in Blueleaf Energy last year helped to demonstrate the viability of this financing approach while supporting the development of the platform’s pipeline. This partnership with EAAIF builds on that foundation by bringing in a like-minded global investor with an impact mandate, showing how BII’s capital can help attract private investment into sectors where financing gaps persist.

With more than two decades of experience mobilising commercial and institutional capital for infrastructure across emerging markets, EAAIF will support Blueleaf Energy’s next phase of growth. The investment aligns with EAAIF’s focus on financing climate-resilient infrastructure that accelerates decarbonisation while supporting sustainable economic development.

The transaction also marks an expansion of EAAIF’s climate infrastructure investments in Asia, and this is the Fund’s third financing in the renewable energy sector in India. Combined with BII’s sector expertise and local presence, it will support Blueleaf Energy’s continued expansion and help attract further private investment into climate infrastructure.

As India heightens its climate ambitions by targeting a 47 per cent reduction in emissions relative to its economic size by 2035, it continues to demonstrate that economic expansion and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Blueleaf Energy aims to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s energy transition through utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects that are expected to generate over 3.2GWh of renewable energy annually and avoid more than 3.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. This will help to increase the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix in India.

UK Minister for Development Jenny Chapman said: “This deal shows that where British International Investment leads, other investors follow.  The partnership between BII and Ninety One is not only good for business, it’s good for the planet too, helping Blueleaf to support clean energy transitions through solar, wind and energy storage projects across India. This is a great example of the type of partnership the UK’s Emerging Markets and Developing Economies Investor Taskforce is bringing about, and we want to see even more as part of our modern approach to development.” 

Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive, BII, commented: “This transaction is a strong example of our originate-to-share approach under British Climate Partners, where we deploy our capital to unlock projects and then bring in institutional investors to scale them. By recycling our capital and partnering with impact investors like EAAIF, which is managed by Ninety One, we can accelerate the build-out of clean energy infrastructure while maximising our impact.”

Hendrik du Toit, founder and Chief Executive, Ninety One, the fund manager of EAAIF, said: “Mobilising capital at scale is essential to accelerating the energy transition in emerging markets. This transaction demonstrates how development finance institutions and private investors can work together to expand access to renewable energy infrastructure by bringing additional capital to projects with strong long-term fundamentals. It also marks an important step in growing EAAIF’s climate infrastructure investments in Asia, while supporting India’s ambitions to build a more resilient, low-carbon economy.”

Philippe Valahu, Chief Executive, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), added: “We are pleased to partner with BII again on a transaction to unlock more capital for climate infrastructure where it is needed most. By bringing EAAIF into Blueleaf Energy’s growth journey, we can support renewable energy deployment at greater scale, while helping to deepen the pool of capital available for India’s clean energy transition. India will be central to global progress on climate action, and this investment reflects PIDG’s commitment to backing scalable solutions for meaningful impact.”

BII will retain a 50 per cent ($37.5 million) stake and continue to support Blueleaf’s growth, with the intention to mobilise further private capital over time.

KEC International Ltd., a global infrastructure EPC company and an RPG Group enterprise, has announced the receipt of new orders worth Rs. 1,180 crore across its Transmission & Distribution (T&D), Renewables, Civil, and Cables & Conductors businesses, further strengthening its order book and reinforcing its presence in key infrastructure segments.

In the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) business, the company secured multiple orders spanning India, the Middle East, and the Americas. These include a 400 kV transmission line project in Western India to facilitate power evacuation for a data centre, the supply of transmission line towers in the Middle East, and the supply of towers, hardware, and poles for projects in the Americas.

The Renewables business secured a significant order for a 200+ MW Solar PV project in Western India from an existing client, a leading private renewable energy developer. The project further strengthens KEC International’s growing portfolio in the renewable energy sector and reflects continued trust from its long-standing customers.

In the Civil segment, KEC has received an order for additional civil and structural works for a 150 MW thermal power plant being developed by a prominent private sector player in Eastern India.

The company’s Cables & Conductors business also added to the order pipeline by securing multiple orders across domestic and international markets, supporting its diversified business growth strategy.

Commenting on the achievement, Vimal Kejriwal, Managing Director and CEO of KEC International Ltd., said the company is pleased with the strong order inflow across multiple business verticals. He noted that the transmission line project for a data centre marks the company’s first such order in this rapidly expanding segment, highlighting KEC’s growing role in supporting critical power infrastructure for digital economy projects.

He further stated that the company has strengthened its tower supply business through a major order from the Middle East, while the large-scale solar project demonstrates the continued confidence of existing customers in KEC’s renewable energy capabilities.

With these latest wins, KEC International’s year-to-date (YTD) order intake has crossed Rs. 5,200 crore, reflecting sustained business momentum and positioning the company for continued growth across domestic and international infrastructure markets.

Bijliride, India’s leading EV rental and mobility-tech platform, announced a major operational expansion with the deployment of 5,000 new electric two-wheelers to meet growing corporate and retail demand.

Building upon its existing footprint in Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, this strategic rollout leverages surging market demand and aggressive franchise onboarding to offer corporate clients, quick-commerce giants, and hyperlocal delivery brands an immediately deployable, legally compliant fleet. For these enterprise partners, the increased vehicle density addresses critical logistics bottlenecks, ensuring faster last-mile fulfillment, zero operational overhead, and maximum fleet uptime through Bijliride’s 24/7 localized support network.

Concurrently, for gig workers and delivery partners, this expansion directly addresses the rising financial strain of daily fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. By utilizing Bijliride’s direct, zero-commission structure, delivery riders are able to retain exactly 100% of their earnings while minimizing operational downtime via rapid battery swapping services.

“This expansion is about building dependable utility rather than simply chasing fleet numbers,” said Shivam Sisodiya, Founder & CEO, Bijliride. “We are focusing heavily on markets like Hyderabad, our operational headquarters, and other major metros where the structural demand for sustainable, cost-effective mobility is highest. Increasing vehicle density allows us to drastically reduce wait times for customers, empower the delivery workforce to slash operating costs, and offer B2B enterprise clients a fast, tech-backed framework that eliminates fulfillment friction.”

To support the rapid influx of new vehicles on the road, Bijliride is driving this growth through a highly scalable, asset-light franchise model, partnering with local micro-entrepreneurs to run regional mobility hubs. The company is simultaneously scaling its comprehensive backend infrastructure across all target cities, including physical pickup hubs, dedicated charging networks, and real-time on-road maintenance support to ensure seamless fleet uptime.