Covering 17 to 23 January 2026. A busy week, led by the first full rewrite of national electricity policy since 2005. Every item is checked against the issuing authority's own document.
1. Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 released for comment
Ministry of Power · 20 January 2026
The Ministry released the draft policy, which would replace the 2005 policy, with an explanatory note and a 30-day comment window.
Trade press summaries of the draft report a proposal for parity between renewable and conventional generators in scheduling and deviation treatment by 2030 or earlier, transmission-cost-optimised siting of renewable projects, and mandatory resource adequacy planning by discoms and SLDCs. Check these against the final text when it is notified.
Why it matters for wind: Scheduling and deviation parity would raise the bar on wind forecasting and increase exposure to deviation charges, which feeds straight into the gap between modelled P50 energy and realised revenue.
Source: MNRE Policy & Regulatory Updates, January 2026
2. CERC adopts tariffs for SJVN's 600 MW ISTS wind tender, but only 312 MW was awarded
CERC · 19 January 2026 (Petition 582/AT/2025)
SJVN's tender for 600 MW of ISTS-connected wind drew three bidders offering 390 MW. Under the tender rules, 80% of that, 312 MW, went to the reverse auction. NLC India won 200 MW at Rs 3.74/kWh and Adyant Enersol 112 MW at Rs 3.81/kWh. Letters of award were issued on 28 February 2025.
Power sale agreements with end procurers were still to be signed. CERC held that the Rs 0.07/kWh trading margin depends on those agreements, and is capped at 2 paise/kWh if SJVN does not provide an escrow or letter of credit.
Why it matters for wind: Undersubscription and tariffs of Rs 3.7 to 3.8/kWh show standalone wind tenders struggling to fill. Unsigned power sale agreements remain a key risk for any project bid through an intermediary procurer.
Source: CERC order in 582/AT/2025
3. CEA revises type test and quality assurance guidelines for major power equipment
CEA · 19 January 2026
The revised Guidelines for Type Tests and Guidelines for Model Quality Assurance Plans set uniform type test periodicity, cut repeat testing where possible, and aim to reduce long waits at test facilities.
Why it matters for wind: Transformers and switchgear for wind pooling substations fall under these rules, so faster testing can shorten equipment lead times on the critical path to commissioning.
Source: MNRE Policy & Regulatory Updates, January 2026
4. Madhya Pradesh amends intra-state open access regulations
MPERC · 20 January 2026
MPERC notified the Sixth Amendment to its Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access Regulations (Revision-I), 2021.
Why it matters for wind: Madhya Pradesh is a significant wind state, and open access terms decide the economics of selling wind directly to commercial and industrial buyers there.
Source: MPERC notification