Cabinet Clears PM-SSY: ₹5,070 Cr for 5,000 MW Floating Solar with Mandatory Storage

MNRE Proposes Polysilicon Incentive; Solar Cell Capacity to Triple to 100 GW

India is planning a support scheme to incentivize domestic polysilicon manufacturing, a key raw material for solar panels currently 100% imported. This move aims to deepen the solar value chain, with solar cell capacity expected to triple to 100 GW within a year. Additionally, renewable energy is helping reduce DISCOM power purchase costs, with RE-RTC tariffs matching nuclear power at Rs 5.25/unit.

India's Next Energy Transition: Electrifying Industrial Heat for MSMEs, Manufacturing Competitiveness

India's next energy transition phase targets electrifying industrial heat, especially for MSMEs, to boost manufacturing competitiveness, energy security, and decarbonisation. The article draws a parallel with the solar PV revolution and calls for a coordinated ecosystem of policies, financing, and cluster-level planning to scale the transition.

MNRE Secy Flags 42 GW RE Capacity Without PPAs, CERC Allows Exit Option for Developers

42 GW of renewable energy capacity is stranded without power purchase agreements (PPAs). High-tariff hybrid and vanilla solar projects are particularly struggling to find buyers among DISCOMs. The CERC has introduced a penalty-free exit option for developers, while MNRE pushes for polysilicon self-sufficiency (30 GW by 2030) and alternative battery technologies like vanadium flow.

Cabinet Approves Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan Scheme; Rajya Sabha Clears Rs 54,067 Cr Appropriation Bill

The UPSC Key article covers multiple critical topics: the Rajya Sabha cleared the Appropriation Bill for Rs 54,067 Cr excess expenditure, the Cabinet approved the Rs 23,731 Cr GOBARdhan scheme to boost CBG production, and new high-resolution images of the Sun's surface were captured. Also includes data on road safety Good Samaritans, school consolidation, and ethanol policy.

DAE Proposes Reducing Land Need for 220 MWe Nuclear Reactors to 90 Hectares

The Department of Atomic Energy informed Parliament that land requirement for 220 MWe small nuclear reactors could be reduced from 330 hectares to about 90 hectares, subject to radiological impact assessment. This is part of India's push for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and opening the nuclear sector to private participation, with exclusion zones also proposed to be relaxed. The move is critical for energy security and decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries.

India's RE Capacity Crosses 200 GW, Solar & Green Hydrogen Lead Clean Energy Transition

India's renewable energy capacity crossed 200 GW (45% of total installed capacity), driven by solar and wind. Key schemes like PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and International Solar Alliance highlight India's climate leadership. This is exam-relevant for prelims data and mains analysis on energy transition, government schemes, and India's climate commitments.

NALCO Sets Up Pilot Plants in Odisha for Rare Earth Recovery from Fly Ash & Red Mud - Critical Minerals Security

India moves towards self-reliance in rare earth elements (REE) critical for defence, electronics, and renewable energy. NALCO's indigenous pilot plants in Odisha recover REE from fly ash and red mud, reducing import dependence and advancing circular economy goals.

MNRE Allows 4-Month Extension for Renewable Energy Projects Citing West Asia War as Force Majeure

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has allowed renewable energy projects scheduled for commissioning on or after February 28, 2026, an extension of up to four months, citing the West Asia conflict as a force majeure event. This follows the Finance Ministry's classification of the situation as a war, impacting project timelines due to supply chain disruptions in critical materials like galvanized steel and solar glass. The move is crucial for India's renewable energy targets, as solar capacity addition slowed in the April-June 2026 quarter to 11.8 GW, down 18.1% from the previous quarter.