Covering 14 to 20 February 2026. Three items this week, all with direct consequences for wind supply chains or demand. Every item is checked against the issuing authority's own document.
1. MNRE extends ALMM (Wind) exemptions for special bearings
MNRE · 16 February 2026
Citing supply chain constraints, MNRE amended its 31 July 2025 order on ALMM (Wind) compliance for special bearings. Main bearings are exempt for all projects already bid or bid before 31 July 2027, with the requirement to be applied after a supply chain review.
Captive, open access, C&I and third-party sale projects commissioned within 18 months of the July 2025 order get further time: until 31 January 2028 for yaw and pitch bearings, and until 31 January 2029 for main bearings, subject to review.
Why it matters for wind: Bearing availability was becoming a schedule risk under the localisation rule. The relief protects commissioning dates for projects in the pipeline, but the requirement is deferred, not removed, so later projects should plan for it.
Source: MNRE Office Memorandum, 16 February 2026
2. CERC sets the RCO buyout price at Rs 347/MWh
CERC · 18 February 2026 (Petition 12/SM/2025)
Obligated entities that fall short of their Renewable Consumption Obligation can pay a buyout price instead. CERC fixed it at Rs 347/MWh for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26, based on the weighted average REC price from December 2024 to November 2025. It then rises 5% a year: Rs 364 in FY 2026-27, Rs 382 in FY 2027-28, Rs 401 in FY 2028-29 and Rs 421 in FY 2029-30.
Why it matters for wind: At about 35 paise/kWh, the buyout is a cheap way to comply. It caps the value of RECs and weakens the push for obligated buyers to sign new renewable contracts, which matters for the merchant and C&I share of wind revenue.
Source: CERC suo motu order in 12/SM/2025
3. India and the UK launch an Offshore Wind Taskforce
MNRE · February 2026
The India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce was launched under Vision 2035 and the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue. Its focus areas are market design, port infrastructure, supply chains and blended finance. It builds on the Rs 6,853 crore viability gap funding already approved for the first 1,000 MW of offshore wind.
Why it matters for wind: Market design and finance are what hold back India's first offshore projects off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. UK experience with offshore tenders and measurement campaigns is directly relevant to how those sites get assessed.