Madhya Pradesh Initiates Large-Scale Floating Solar-Battery Project

Nearly 200 cities and towns in Madhya Pradesh are consolidating their power requirements for a new floating solar-battery project. The project, estimated at ₹1,300 crore, seeks to supply electricity for municipal services such as water pumping and sewage treatment, aiming to lower recurring energy expenses.

MP Urban Development Company Ltd has initiated the bidding phase for the project, which will operate under a public-private partnership model. The tender specifies a 200 MW grid-connected floating solar plant, with a potential 10% capacity variation, integrated with a 50 MW/100 MWh battery energy storage system. The solar panels will be situated on the cooling reservoir of the Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station in Birsinghpur, Umaria district, utilizing an existing water body.

Participating urban local bodies are expected to collectively hold 26% equity. The project is designed to offer affordable clean power to cities, enhance municipal finances, and improve citizen services. Demand aggregation will enable smaller municipalities to participate without needing to acquire land or develop individual solar plants. The tender is anticipated to be awarded by January 2027, with power supply projected to commence by July 2028.

Pickering Nuclear Plant Refurbishment Underway

Ontario Power Generation has commenced an extensive refurbishment project at the Pickering nuclear power plant. This undertaking is described as "Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure project."

The refurbishment is designed to prolong the operating lifetimes of the facility’s four CANDU reactors. This extension could be for as long as 38 years. The project is also expected to bolster Ontario’s nuclear supply chain.

Illinois Targets 2 GW New Nuclear Capacity by 2033

Illinois aims to add 2 GW of new nuclear capacity, with construction slated to begin by 2033. This target includes both new reactor sites and uprates to existing facilities. The state recently removed its final restrictions on building new reactors, paving the way for this expansion.

Currently, Illinois leads the United States in operating nuclear capacity, with 11 commercial reactors in operation. The state's nuclear future was a key topic in a recent webinar series, highlighting its strategic importance in the national energy landscape.