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Received yesterday — 31 January 2026

DCR Predicts: The new bottleneck for AI data centres isn’t technology – it’s permission

29 January 2026 at 08:23

As gigawatt-scale sites move from abstract infrastructure to highly visible ‘AI factories’, Tate Cantrell, Verne CTO, argues that grid capacity, water myths, and local sentiment will decide what actually gets built.

The industry in 2026 will need to get ready for hyper-dense, gigawatt-scale data centres, but preparation will be more complicated than purely infrastructure design. AI’s exploding computational demand is pushing designers to deliver facilities with greater density that consume a growing volume of power and challenge conventional cooling.

The growth of hyperscale campuses risks colliding with a public increasingly aware of power and water consumption. If that happens, a gap may open between what designers can achieve with the latest technology and what communities are willing to accept.

A growing public awareness of data centres

The sector has entered an era of scale that would have seemed implausible a few years ago. Internet giants are investing billions of dollars in facilities that redefine large-scale and are reshaping the market. Gigawatt-class sites are being built to train and deploy AI models for the next generation of online services.

But their impact extends beyond the data centre industry: the communities hosting these ‘AI factories’ are being transformed, too.

This is leading to engineered landscapes: industrial campuses spanning hundreds of acres, integrating data halls with power distribution systems and cooling infrastructure. As these sites become more visible, public awareness of the resources they consume is growing. The data centre has become a local landmark – and it’s under scrutiny.

Power versus perception

Power is one area receiving attention. Data centre growth is coinciding with the perception that hyperscale operators are competing for grid capacity or diverting renewable power that might otherwise support local decarbonisation. There is no shortage of coverage suggesting data centres are pushing up energy prices, too.

These perceptions have already had consequences. In the UK, a proposed 90 MW facility near London was challenged in 2025 by campaigners warning that residents and businesses would be forced to compete for electricity with what one campaign group leader called “power-guzzling behemoth”. In Belgium, grid operator Elia may limit the power allocated to operators to protect other industrial users.

It would not be surprising to see this reaction continue in 2026, despite the steps taken by all data centre operators to maximise power efficiency and sustainability.

Cool misunderstandings 

Water has become another focal point. Training and inference models rely on concentrated clusters of GPUs with rack densities that exceed 100kW. The amount of heat produced in such a dense space exceeds the capabilities of air-based cooling, driving the move to more efficient liquid systems.

Yet ‘liquid cooling’ is often interpreted by the public as ‘water cooling’, feeding a perception that data centres are draining natural water sources to cool servers.

In practice, this is rarely the case. While data centres of the past have relied heavily on evaporative cooling towers to deliver lower Power Usage Effectiveness, today we see a strong and consistent trend towards lower Water Usage Effectiveness through smarter cooling and sustainable design. Developments in technology are making water-free cooling possible, too, with half of England’s data centres using waterless cooling. Many operators use non-water coolants and closed-loop systems that conserve resources.

Data centres as part of the community 

Addressing public concerns will require a change in how operators think about their place in communities. Once built, a data centre becomes part of the local fabric and the company behind it, a neighbour. Developers need to view that relationship as more than transactional. They must demonstrate that growth is supported by resilient grids capable of meeting new demand without destabilising supply or driving up cost.

Water and power are essential resources, so public concern is understandable. It’s therefore important that operators show that density and efficiency can be achieved without disproportionate environmental impact. The continued rollout of AI-ready data centres will depend as much on social alignment as on advances in chip performance.

That alignment will be tested in 2026 and beyond as another wave of high-density deployments arrives. Based on NVIDIA’s product roadmap, we already have a sense of what’s coming: each generation of hardware delivers more power and heat, requiring more advanced infrastructure.

NVIDIA’s Chief Executive Jensen Huang introduced the DSX data centre architecture at GTC 2025 in Washington DC, a framework designed to make it easier for developers with limited experience to deploy large-scale, AI-ready facilities. In effect, it offers a global blueprint for gigawatt-scale ‘AI factories’.

A positive outcome of this will be a stronger push towards supply chain standardisation. Companies such as Vertiv, Schneider Electric and Eaton are aligning around modular power and cooling systems that are easily integrated into these architectures. Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm, meanwhile, have every incentive to encourage that standardisation. The faster infrastructure can be deployed, the faster their chips can deliver the required compute capacity.

Standardisation, then, becomes a commercial and operational imperative, but it also reinforces the need for transparency and shared responsibility.

Efficiency and expansion 

Behind all of this lies the computational driver: the transformer model. These AI architectures process and generate language, code or other complex data at scale — the foundation of today’s generative AI. They are, however, enormously power-hungry, and even though it’s reasonable to expect a few DeepSeek-type breakthroughs in 2026 – discoveries that achieve similar performance with far less energy thanks to advances in algorithms, hardware and networking – we shouldn’t expect demand for power to drop.

The technical roadmap during 2026 is clear. We are heading towards greater density, wider uptake of liquid cooling and further standardisation. With data centres running as efficiently and sustainably as possible, developers and operators will need to establish trust with local stakeholders for the resources required to develop and power the AI factories that will drive a new era of industrial innovation.

This article is part of our DCR Predicts 2026 series. Check back every day this week for a new prediction, as we count down the final days of January.

DCR Predicts 2026

DCR Predicts – UK data centres are booming – but is the power running out?

By:DCR
27 January 2026 at 08:00

A panel of experts explore why grid capacity, connection queues, and rising AI power density are starting to dictate what can be built in 2026 – and where.

The UK’s data centre boom is accelerating, fuelled by the AI gold rush. Hyperscalers are expanding campuses and investment continues to flow, but the practical limits of growth are becoming harder to ignore.

Data centres already account for around 2.5% of the UK’s electricity consumption, and with AI workloads accelerating, that could rise sharply. Power availability, grid connection delays, planning constraints and sustainability pressures are no longer background considerations. As 2026 approaches, they are actively shaping what can be built, where, and how.

Power limits are no longer theoretical

For years, efficiency improvements helped offset rising demand, but that buffer is tiring quickly as AI is pushing power density beyond what many facilities were designed to support.

Skip Levens, Quantum’s Product Leader and AI Strategist, the LTO Program, sees a clear roadblock ahead. “In 2026, AI and HPC data centre buildouts will hit a non-negotiable limit: they cannot get more power into their data centres. Build-outs and expansions are on hold and power-hungry GPU-dense servers are forcing organisations to make hard choices.”

He suggests that modern tape libraries could be the solution to two pressing problems, “First by returning as much as 75% of power to the power budget to ’spend’ on GPUs and servers, while also keeping massive data sets nearby on highly efficient and reliable tape technology.”

Whether or not operators adopt that specific approach, the wider point holds. Growth is no longer just about adding capacity – it’s about how power is allocated and conserved within fixed limits.

Sustainability under pressure

Sustainability remains a defining theme for the sector, but the pace of AI-driven expansion is testing how deeply those commitments are embedded.

Terry Storrar, Managing Director at Leaseweb UK, describes the balancing act many operators are facing, “Sustainability is still the number one topic in the data centre industry. This has to work for the planet, but also from an economic perspective.

“We can’t keep running huge workloads and adding these to the grid,” he warns, “it’s simply not sustainable for the long term. So, there is huge investment into how we make technology do more for less. In the data centre industry, this translates into achieving significant power efficiencies.”

Mark Skelton, Chief Technology Officer at Node4, agrees, warning, “Data centres already consume around 2% of national power, while unchecked growth could push that to 10-15%, at a time when the grid is already strained and struggling to keep pace with soaring demand. In some areas, new developments are being delayed simply because the grid cannot deliver the required capacity quickly enough.”

To put this into perspective, Google’s new Essex facility alone is estimated to emit the same amount of carbon as 500 short-haul flights every year.

Grid delays, planning and skills gaps

There’s also a broader question of how well prepared the UK actually is for such a rapid scale-up in data centre infrastructure,

“Currently, the rush to build is overshadowing the need for a comprehensive approach that considers how facilities draw power and utilise water, as well as how their waste heat could be repurposed for nearby housing or industry,” Node4’s Skelton continues. “The technology to do this already exists, but adoption remains limited because there is little incentive or regulation to encourage it.”

In the UK, high-capacity grid connections can take over a year to secure, while planning delays and local opposition add further friction. Another roadblock is that “communities will increasingly challenge data centre expansion over water and energy use,” warns Curt Geeting, Acoustic Imaging Product Manager at Fluke. This is “pushing operators toward self-contained microgrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and other alternative power sources. Meanwhile, a growing shortage of skilled technicians and electricians will become a defining constraint.”

Geeting believes automation and I will be key to tackling some of these infrastructure roadblocks. “The data centre test and measurement market will enter 2026 on the brink of a major transformation driven by speed, density, and intelligence. Multi-fibre connectivity will expand rapidly to meet the bandwidth demands of AI-driven workloads, edge computing, and cloud-scale growth.

“Very small form factor connectors, multi-core fibre, and even air-core fibre technologies will begin reshaping how data moves through high-density environments – enabling faster transmission with lower latency. At the same time, automation and AI will take centre stage in testing and diagnostics, as intelligent tools and software platforms automate calibration tracking, compliance verification, and predictive maintenance across vast, complex facilities.”

Edge, sovereignty and a rethink of scale

Data centres remain the backbone of the digital economy, underpinning everything from cloud services to AI and edge computing. With the rapid rise in AI, there are concerns that the UK will struggle to keep pace.

“The AWS outage reminded everyone how risky it is to depend too heavily on centralised cloud infrastructure,” urges Bruce Kornfeld, Chief Product Officer at StorMagic. “When a single technical issue can disrupt entire operations at a massive scale, CIOs are realising that stability requires balance.

“In 2026, more organisations will move toward proven on-premises hyperconverged infrastructure for mission-critical applications at the edge. This approach integrates cloud connectivity to simplify operations, strengthen uptime and deliver consistent performance across all environments. AI will continue to accelerate this shift.”

“The year ahead will favour a shift toward simplicity, uptime and management,” he adds. “The organisations that succeed will be those that figure out how to avoid downtime with simple and reliable on-prem infrastructure to run local applications. These winners understand that chasing scale for its own sake does nothing but put them in a vulnerable position.” This redistribution may ease pressure on hyperscale campuses.

Looking to 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the pressures facing UK data centres are unlikely to ease. Power constraints, grid delays and sustainability expectations are becoming long-term issues, not just temporary obstacles. While technologies like quantum computing may eventually reshape infrastructure design, they won’t resolve the immediate challenges operators face today. The UK still has an opportunity to lead in AI and digital infrastructure, but only if growth is planned with constraint in mind. Without clearer coordination, incentives and accountability, the rush to build risks locking inefficiencies into the system for years to come. 

This article is part of our DCR Predicts 2026 series. Check back every day this week for a new prediction, as we count down the final days of January.

DCR Predicts 2026

Petition for Truing up and determination of transmission tariff for the Combined Asset under “Integration of Pooling Stations in Chhattisgarh with Central Part of the Western Region for IPP Generation Projects – EQ

Summary:

—-

### **1. Overview and Context:**
– **Date of Hearing:** 13th January 2026.
– **Common Petitioner:** Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).
– **Subject:** Multiple petitions (listed below) for **truing up of tariffs for the 2019-24 period** and **determination of tariffs for the 2024-29 period** for various transmission assets across India.
– **Regulatory Framework:** Petitions filed under the relevant tariff regulations (e.g., CERC Tariff Regulations, 2019).

### **2. List of Petitions & Key Respondents:**
The petitions involve transmission schemes across different regions. Key respondents are primarily the state power distribution companies (DISCOMs) of the respective beneficiary states.

| Petition No. | Scheme/Project Name | Region | Key Respondent(s) |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| **924/TT/2025** | Integration of Pooling Stations in Chhattisgarh… | Western | MPPMCL & 5 Others |
| **926/TT/2025** | System Strengthening XXVI | Southern | TANGEDCO/TNPDCL & 13 Others |
| **921/TT/2025** | System Strengthening Scheme-XIII | Southern | TANGEDCO/TNPDCL & 13 Others |
| **920/TT/2025** | Transmission System for Pavagada Solar Park Phase-I | Southern | TANGEDCO/TNPDCL & 13 Others |
| **962/TT/2025** | Substation works beyond Vemagiri | Southern | TANGEDCO/TNPDCL & 14 Others |
| **964/TT/2025** | WR-NR Corridor for Chhattisgarh IPPs | Northern | UPPCL & 21 Others |
| **413/TT/2025** | North Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme-IV | North Eastern | APDCL & 6 Others |
| **435/TT/2025** | Inter-Regional Strengthening (WR & NR Part-A) | Inter-Regional | MPPMCL & 5 Others |
| **411/TT/2025** | Raipur-Rajnandgaon TL for Chhattisgarh IPPs | Western | MPPMCL & 8 Others |
| **518/TT/2025** | Transmission for Phase-I Gen Projects in Odisha | Western | MPPMCL & 5 Others |
| **420/TT/2025** | Western Region System Strengthening Scheme-V | Western | MPPMCL & 5 Others |
| **731/TT/2025** | *(Details not fully specified in snippet)* | *Not Specified* | *Not Specified* |

### **3. Proceedings and Core Issue:**
– PGCIL, as the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), is seeking **regulatory approval for the final tariffs** for its transmission assets.
– The process involves two key steps for each asset:
1. **Truing Up (2019-24):** Final reconciliation of actual capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational costs against earlier estimates to determine the final payable tariff for the past period.
2. **Tariff Determination (2024-29):** Setting the approved tariff for the next regulatory period based on the trued-up capital cost and normative operational parameters.

### **4. Business & Regulatory Implications:**

– **For PGCIL:** This is a critical, routine regulatory process to **secure revenue recovery** for its vast transmission investments. Timely and accurate submission of the voluminous data is essential to avoid delays in tariff approval and cash flow.
– **For Respondent DISCOMs:** They have the opportunity to **review and challenge** PGCIL’s cost claims. Their scrutiny is vital to ensure that only prudent and efficient costs are passed through to the end consumers via tariffs.
– **For End Consumers:** The outcome of these petitions will ultimately influence the **transmission component of electricity bills** for consumers in the beneficiary states.
– **For the Power Sector:** The process underscores the **regulated, cost-plus nature of transmission tariffs** in India. It ensures transparency and allows recovery of investments for critical national grid infrastructure.

—-

For more information please see below link:

SECI issue Tender for RfS for setting up of 5.6 MW Grid-Connected RTSPV Projects under RESCO Mode (RTSPV-Tranche-VIII) – EQ

Summary:

### **1. Project Overview**
* **Objective:** Select SPDs to finance, design, install, own, operate, and maintain rooftop solar plants. The SPD will sell the generated solar power to the client organization under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
* **Total Capacity:** ~5,665 kW, split across 14 projects at different client sites (e.g., Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, MEA, DGCA, NIFTs, IISERs, etc.).
* **Business Model:** **RESCO Mode.** The SPD owns the asset and is responsible for all capital expenditure, O&M, and performance risk for 25 years.
* **PPA Term:** 25 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).

### **2. Key Bidding Information**
* **Bid System:** **Single-Stage, Two-Envelope** (Techno-Commercial Bid & Financial Bid). Bidding is conducted **online** via the ISN-ETS portal.
* **Bid Processing Fee:** **INR 6,000** (non-refundable, inclusive of GST).
* **Earnest Money Deposit (EMD):** **Required.** Amount varies per project (see table in Clause 15). Can be submitted as a **Bank Guarantee (BG), Payment on Order Instrument (POI)** from PFC/REC, or an **Insurance Surety Bond**.
* **Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG):** **Required upon selection.** Amount: **INR 3,375 per kW** of awarded capacity. Can also be submitted as BG, POI, or Surety Bond.
* **Service Charges (to SECI):** **INR 1,350 per kW** + GST, payable in two installments (50% after LoA, 50% before PPA signing).
* **Bid Validity:** 12 months from the bid submission deadline.

### **3. Bidder Eligibility Criteria**
* **Entity Type:** Company, LLP, Registered Partnership, or Proprietorship Firm under Indian law. **A foreign company cannot bid standalone or as a consortium member.**
* **Consortium:** Allowed. Must have a **Lead Member** with **not less than 51% shareholding** in the consortium. All members must have non-zero equity participation.
* **Technical Eligibility:**
* Must use commercially established technology.
* **Solar PV modules and cells must be sourced from manufacturers listed in the MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)** lists valid on the date of invoicing.
* **Financial Eligibility (Must meet both):**
* **Net Worth:** Must be equal to or greater than the cumulative requirement for all projects bid for. Value is specified per project in Clause 32.1.
* **Liquidity/Working Capital:** Must be equal to or greater than the cumulative requirement for all projects bid for. Can be demonstrated through financial statements or a confirmed bank line of credit. Value is specified per project in Clause 32.2.
* **Documents:** Audited annual accounts for FY 2024-25 (or provisional accounts as of 7 days prior to bid deadline) with supporting CA certificates.

### **4. Bid Submission & Evaluation Process**
1. **Registration:** Bidders must register on the **ISN-ETS portal** (`https://www.bharat-electronictender.com`) and download the official RfS copy.
2. **Bid Submission (Two Envelopes):**
* **Envelope I (Techno-Commercial):** Contains all eligibility documents, formats, and declarations.
* **Envelope II (Financial):** Contains only the **quoted fixed tariff (INR/kWh)** for each project applied for.
3. **Evaluation:**
* **Step 1:** Only bids with complete documentation (incl. EMD & fee) are opened. SECI evaluates Techno-Commercial eligibility.
* **Step 2:** Financial Bids of only qualified bidders are opened.
4. **Selection & Award:**
* The bidder quoting the **lowest tariff (L1)** for a specific project is declared the **Successful Bidder** for that project.
* **Tie-Breaker (if same L1 tariff):** 1) Higher Net Worth; 2) Higher declared CUF; 3) Draw of lots.
* **No negotiations** on the quoted tariff are permitted.
* **Letter of Award (LoA)** is issued separately for each project.

### **5. Critical Project & Contractual Obligations**
* **Scope of Work:** SPD is solely responsible for design, engineering, supply, installation, grid connectivity approvals, net-metering, testing, commissioning, and 25-year comprehensive O&M.
* **Commissioning Timeline:**
* **Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD):** 7 months from PPA Effective Date.
* **Maximum Delay with Penalty:** Up to 6 months from SCD (pro-rata PBG encashment).
* **Delay beyond Max Period:** PPA capacity gets reduced to only the commissioned capacity; balance stands terminated.
* **Performance (CUF):**
* Must declare a minimum annual CUF of **15%** at the time of bidding.
* Must maintain generation within **+10% / -15%** of declared CUF for the first 10 years, and **+10% / -20%** thereafter.
* **Penalty for shortfall:** 50% of PPA tariff for the shortfall energy.
* **Shareholding Lock-in:** The Successful Bidder (or consortium members combined) must maintain a **minimum 51% shareholding** in the Project Company/SPV until **1 year after COD**.
* **Jurisdiction:** Exclusive jurisdiction for all matters related to this RfS lies with the **courts at New Delhi, India**.

—-

For more information please see below link:

Vingroup Commits USD 3 Billion Investment for Smart City, EV, Solar and Tourism Projects in Telangana – EQ

In Short : Vietnam’s Vingroup has announced a USD 3 billion investment in Telangana to develop large-scale projects across smart cities, electric mobility, renewable energy, tourism, healthcare, and education. Spread over 2,500 hectares, the initiative includes India’s first electric taxi fleet, a 1,080-hectare smart city, and a 500 MW solar power project.

In Detail : Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Telangana to invest USD 3 billion in developing an integrated multi-sector ecosystem across the state. The projects will cover smart urban development, electric mobility, renewable energy, tourism, healthcare, education, and strategic infrastructure, marking one of the largest foreign investment commitments in Telangana.

The investment will be spread over nearly 2,500 hectares and is expected to significantly strengthen Telangana’s urban infrastructure, clean energy capacity, employment opportunities, and global investment positioning. The partnership reflects Vingroup’s broader global expansion strategy and reinforces its growing presence in the Indian market.

A key component of the initiative is the launch of India’s first large-scale electric taxi fleet through GSM, Vingroup’s mobility arm. The fleet will use VinFast electric vehicles, supporting cleaner urban transport, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to Telangana’s electric mobility ambitions.

Vingroup is also evaluating the establishment of electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly facilities in the state. This move would further integrate Telangana into India’s EV supply chain and strengthen the state’s position as a hub for electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.

Under its real estate arm, Vingroup plans to develop a Vinhomes Smart City over 1,080 hectares, designed to house nearly 2,00,000 residents. The project is expected to generate around 10,000 jobs and will include smart infrastructure, digital services, sustainable urban design, green spaces, and modern mobility solutions.

In addition to residential development, around 70 hectares will be dedicated to social infrastructure, including Vinschool K–12 campuses, Vinmec international hospitals, and a V-Green electric vehicle charging network. These facilities aim to enhance access to high-quality education, healthcare, and EV support services.

The tourism segment of the investment includes a 350-hectare integrated entertainment destination under the VinWonders brand. The project will feature a large theme park, a modern zoo, and a safari experience, positioning Telangana as a major tourism and leisure hub.

On the renewable energy front, Vingroup’s green energy arm VinEnergo will develop a 500 MW solar power plant across 500 hectares. The project will supply clean energy to residential zones, industrial areas, and EV infrastructure, directly supporting Telangana’s renewable energy and climate goals.

The Telangana government has assured full support for the projects through land allocation, fast-track approvals, and policy incentives. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy described the investment as a major endorsement of the state’s “Telangana Rising” vision, while Vingroup stated that Telangana offers strong potential aligned with its expertise in smart cities and electric mobility.

HEC Infra Projects Secures Battery Energy Storage Contract Worth ₹16.35 Crore in Gujarat – EQ

In Short : HEC Infra Projects has won a ₹16.35 crore order from Advait for a battery energy storage system project in Gujarat. The contract highlights growing demand for energy storage solutions in India and reflects the increasing role of batteries in supporting grid stability, renewable energy integration, and the transition toward a more flexible and resilient power system.

In Detail : HEC Infra Projects has achieved a significant milestone by securing a ₹16.35 crore contract from Advait for the execution of a battery energy storage system project in Gujarat. This order strengthens the company’s position in the fast-growing energy storage segment and underlines the rising importance of battery technologies in India’s evolving power infrastructure.

The project involves the supply and deployment of battery energy storage systems designed to store excess electricity and release it during periods of high demand. Such systems play a crucial role in balancing supply and demand, improving grid reliability, and enhancing the overall efficiency of power distribution networks.

Battery energy storage is becoming increasingly vital as India expands its renewable energy capacity. Solar and wind generation are inherently intermittent, making storage solutions essential for ensuring a stable and continuous power supply. BESS projects help smooth fluctuations and enable higher penetration of clean energy into the grid.

For HEC Infra Projects, this order represents a strategic step toward diversifying its project portfolio and expanding its footprint in emerging clean energy technologies. By participating in energy storage deployments, the company is aligning itself with long-term trends in the power sector and strengthening its technical capabilities.

Advait, as the project awarding entity, continues to play an active role in developing advanced energy infrastructure across the country. The collaboration with HEC Infra Projects reflects a growing ecosystem of companies working together to accelerate the adoption of modern grid solutions.

The Gujarat location of the project is particularly significant, as the state has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in India. With large solar and wind installations, Gujarat requires robust storage systems to manage variability and ensure consistent power delivery to industries and consumers.

Beyond grid stability, battery energy storage systems also support applications such as peak shaving, frequency regulation, and backup power. These capabilities are especially valuable for industrial users, data centers, and critical infrastructure that require uninterrupted and high-quality electricity supply.

The increasing number of BESS projects across India signals a broader transformation in how electricity systems are designed and operated. Storage is no longer seen as an optional add-on but as a core component of modern power systems that enables flexibility, resilience, and digital energy management.

Overall, the ₹16.35 crore BESS order marks an important development for HEC Infra Projects and reflects the accelerating momentum of energy storage in India. As renewable capacity grows and grid complexity increases, battery projects like this will be central to building a reliable, sustainable, and future-ready energy ecosystem.

ReNew Prepares $500 Million Bond Issue to Accelerate Global Clean Energy Expansion – EQ

In Short : ReNew is planning a $500 million bond issuance to strengthen its financial position and support the expansion of its renewable energy portfolio. The proposed fundraising reflects strong investor confidence in clean energy assets and highlights the growing role of global capital markets in financing large-scale renewable projects and sustainability-driven infrastructure.

In Detail : ReNew is lining up a $500 million bond issue as part of its broader strategy to raise long-term capital for renewable energy expansion. The move signals the company’s intent to tap international debt markets to support its growth plans and strengthen its balance sheet amid rising investments in clean power and sustainable infrastructure.

The proposed bond issuance is expected to help ReNew refinance existing debt, lower financing costs, and improve overall liquidity. By accessing global capital markets, the company can secure competitive funding terms while maintaining financial flexibility to pursue new projects across solar, wind, and hybrid energy segments.

Bond issuances have become an increasingly popular financing tool for renewable energy companies, as they provide access to large pools of institutional capital. Investors are showing growing appetite for green and sustainability-linked instruments, driven by environmental, social, and governance considerations as well as the long-term stability of clean energy assets.

For ReNew, the fundraising initiative aligns with its long-term objective of scaling up its renewable capacity and strengthening its position as a leading clean energy player. The company continues to expand its operational portfolio, develop new projects, and invest in advanced technologies such as energy storage and digital grid solutions.

The $500 million bond issue also reflects broader trends in the global energy sector, where capital is increasingly being redirected from fossil fuel-based assets toward renewable and low-carbon infrastructure. This shift is supported by favorable policy frameworks, climate commitments, and rising corporate demand for green electricity.

From a financial perspective, bond funding allows companies like ReNew to diversify their capital structure and reduce reliance on traditional bank loans. Long-tenure bonds are particularly suitable for infrastructure projects, as they align well with the long operational life and predictable cash flows of renewable energy assets.

The success of the bond issue will depend on market conditions, investor sentiment, and the company’s credit profile. However, the strong global momentum behind green finance is expected to support robust demand, especially from funds focused on climate-aligned and sustainable investments.

In addition to funding capacity expansion, the bond proceeds may also be used for acquisitions, project development, and operational efficiencies. This can help ReNew enhance scale, optimize asset performance, and strengthen its competitive positioning in both domestic and international renewable markets.

Overall, ReNew’s planned $500 million bond issue highlights the growing role of capital markets in driving the clean energy transition. By attracting global investors and securing long-term funding, the company is reinforcing its ability to deliver large-scale renewable projects and contribute meaningfully to the shift toward a low-carbon energy future.

Petition for Truing up and determination of transmission tariff for “Integration of Pooling Stations with Central Part of the Western Region for IPP Generation Projects in Chhattisgarh” – EQ

v

Sumamry:

**1. Regulatory Authority**
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), New Delhi.

**2. Overview of Petitions**
A **combined proceeding** covering **11 separate tariff petitions** filed by **Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)** for truing up of transmission tariffs for the period **2019–24** and determination of tariffs for **2024–29**.

**3. Common Objective Across All Petitions**
– **Truing Up:** Adjust past tariffs (2019–24) based on actual capital expenditure, operational expenses, and other cost variations.
– **Tariff Determination:** Set new transmission tariffs for the next control period (2024–29) for specified transmission assets/schemes.

**5. Commission’s Directions & Information Requirements**
CERC directed PGCIL to submit detailed financial and technical data in prescribed formats for each petition, including:

– **Form 9C:** Capital cost, financing, and tariff calculation sheets with Excel linkages.
– **Form 7B:** Asset-wise tariff computation.
– **Form 5 & 13:** Asset details, capital expenditure, and initial spares.
– **Liability Flow Statements:** Debt and interest details.
– **IDC (Interest During Construction) Discharge Statements.**
– **Auditor Certificates:** For plant & machinery cost, initial spares.
– **Accumulated Depreciation Details:** For PLCC, IT equipment, etc.
– **ACE (Additional Capital Expenditure) Reconciliation:** Item-wise and party-wise comparison with previous orders.

**6. Key Regulatory & Business Implications**
– **Tariff Stability:** The process ensures predictable and cost-reflective transmission pricing for the next 5 years.
– **Cost Recovery:** PGCIL seeks to recover past under/over-recoveries and secure revenue for future operations.
– **Transparency:** Extensive data submission ensures regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder confidence.
– **Multi-Regional Impact:** Tariffs affect multiple state DISCOMs and power utilities across India.
– **Renewable Integration:** Some schemes (e.g., Pavagada Solar Park) support renewable energy evacuation.

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For more information please see below link:

Small solar project for Maine Habitat for Humanity branch makes big difference

28 January 2026 at 19:29

In Maine, the Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County (HFHWC) has installed a solar project at its recently opened ReStore that will offset 100% of the facility’s electricity use. The 18.92-kW system was installed in partnership with nonprofit solar provider Everybody Solar. The solar project will enable HFHWC to direct more resources toward building and…

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Pivot Energy, University of Denver complete Colorado’s 1st virtual net-metered solar project

28 January 2026 at 15:17

Pivot Energy, a national renewable energy provider headquartered in Denver, and the University of Denver (DU), have completed the state’s first off-site net-metered solar project. This project contributes to DU’s goal to offset 100% of its electricity with renewable energy. The 3.28-MWDC project, located in Johnstown, started producing renewable energy earlier this month. Under an…

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48-MW solar project built along Ohio River comes online

27 January 2026 at 21:15

Doral Renewables‘ Great Bend Solar project reached commercial operation on January 6. The project met substantial completion in December 2025. The 48-MW project, located in Meigs County, was built on the Great Bend of the Ohio River, near the state border with West Virginia. Doral Renewables commissioned PCL Construction in April 2024 to build the…

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PureSky Energy completes community solar projects serving LMI customers

27 January 2026 at 20:56

PureSky Energy has reached commercial operations of its Heath Brook and Sand Brook community solar projects in Corinth, New York. The two solar farms – which together total approximately 12.92 MWDC (about 5 MWAC each) – are now delivering clean, renewable power to the grid. Combined, Heath Brook and Sand Brook will generate around 18.8 million kWh…

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Standard Solar, TurningPoint Energy spearhead Delaware community solar portfolio

27 January 2026 at 20:46

TurningPoint Energy (TPE) and Standard Solar will collaborate on 11.2 MW of community solar built across two projects in Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware. In 2022, TPE committed to investing more than $100 million in projects across the state. Located in Harrington and Bridgeville, each of the projects are 5.6-MWDC single-axis tracker systems and…

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Lightmatter Introduces Guide Light Engine for AI with VLSP Technology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Lightmatter, photonic (super)computing company, today announced what the c ompany said is a foundational advancement in laser architecture: Very Large Scale Photonics (VLSP). Embodied in the Guide light engine, “this breakthrough creates the industry’s most integrated laser platform supporting unprecedented bandwidths—moving laser manufacturing from manual assembly lines toward foundry production,” Lightmatter […]

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