BEST Opposes Adani Electricity's Bid for Dharavi Power Distribution

BEST is opposing Adani Electricity's application for a power distribution license in Dharavi. The civic utility fears losing approximately 87,000 existing consumers and additional future consumers following the area's redevelopment. BEST has submitted objections to MERC, emphasizing its established infrastructure and significant investments in Dharavi.

Sonia Sethi, BEST general manager, announced the formation of a task force to develop an action plan within one month. This initiative aims to enhance BEST's competitiveness and explore opportunities for expanding its power distribution network into the eastern and western suburbs. The undertaking is also investigating consumer incentives and preparing a feasibility report for future distribution applications in suburban areas, including new housing societies.

S.P. Makwana, BEST deputy general manager, stated that the utility possesses a well-established electricity distribution network in Dharavi, including receiving stations, substations, and an extensive cable network. BEST officials argue that a parallel distribution system is unnecessary and that granting the license to Adani Electricity would significantly impact BEST's revenue and market presence. BEST has also objected to plans that could affect its power and cable installations during the redevelopment project.

India's Battery Energy Storage Capacity to Expand Significantly

Crisil Ratings reports that India's battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity is expected to grow to 45-50 GWh by the next financial year, up from about 1 GWh in the last financial year. This expansion is driven by a strong project pipeline and sustained policy support. The report, which covers bids awarded between fiscal years 2024 and 2026, includes nearly 100 renewable energy developers.

However, approximately 8-9 GWh of awarded capacity faces a higher risk of delays, potentially moderating the deployment pace. About 12 GWh, or 21%, of under-construction BESS capacity, shows weak return potential, which may lead to commissioning delays. This risk stems from increased battery prices in 2026, contrasting with the lower tariffs bid for these projects. Developers typically procure batteries about a year after securing project bids.

Projects awarded in 2025 are now exposed to higher battery prices, which have rebounded from 2025 lows. Developers had bid aggressively, assuming a continued downward trend in battery prices. However, current battery prices may render project returns insufficient to achieve the target internal rate of return of 12-14%. Consequently, developers may defer implementation, anticipating more favorable battery pricing.

Bailong 2 Nuclear Unit Begins Construction with First Concrete Pour

The Bailong nuclear power plant, located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, has officially begun construction on its second unit, Bailong 2. The first concrete for the unit was poured on December 22, 2025, marking the start of its construction phase. This development means that two units at the Bailong site are now under active construction.

The construction of Phase I, comprising units 1 and 2 of the Bailong plant, received approval from China's State Council in August 2024. State Power Investment Corporation is developing these two CAP1000 pressurized water reactors, which are the Chinese variant of the Westinghouse AP1000 design. The total investment for these two units is estimated at CNY40 billion (USD5.6 billion), with a projected construction period of 56 months.

The initial concrete pour for Bailong 2 involved 6,662 cubic meters of concrete and lasted just over 64 hours. This follows the excavation work for the foundation pit of unit 1's nuclear island, which began in late December 2024. Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute (SNERDI), a subsidiary of State Power Investment Corporation and a joint general contractor for the project, announced the completion of this critical step.

The Bailong plant, situated on Jiangshan Peninsula in Fangchenggang City, Guangxi Province, is planned to eventually host six units. The total installed capacity for the entire plant is projected to be 8.62 GWe, with an overall investment of approximately CNY120 billion. Each unit in the first phase, utilizing the CAP1000 design, will have a capacity of 1.25 GW. Future phases propose the construction of four larger CAP1400 reactors at the site.

Upon completion and operation, the first phase of the Bailong project is anticipated to generate approximately 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is equivalent to an annual reduction of about 6 million tonnes in standard coal consumption and approximately 16 million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.