9NOVEMBER 2026India is preparing a new policy to expand agrivoltaics capacity and help farmers earn additional income. The government aims to combine farming with solar power generation on the same land. It is initially targeting 5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity over the next few years. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced the government's plans at the Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi on October 21. The proposed policy will support the adoption of agrivoltaics, which allows farmers to continue cultivation while generating electricity from elevated solar panels. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said the policy draft would be made available for public consultation. States and other stakeholders will be invited to submit suggestions before the government makes further changes. Varroc Engineering Limited is expanding its electric mobility business through a proposed joint venture with France-based Forsee Power SA. The partnership will focus on EV batteries and battery-pack solutions for India's growing electric vehicle market. Under the proposed deal, Varroc will acquire a 45 percent equity stake in Forsee Power India, Forsee Power's Indian subsidiary specializing in battery-pack systems. Varroc will also take management and operational control of the entity. The transaction remains subject to applicable regulatory and corporate approvals. The partnership will initially target battery packs for three-wheelers before expanding into other vehicle categories. The companies plan to combine Varroc's automotive engineering and manufacturing capabilities with Forsee Power's battery technology expertise. Transmission grid tower manufacturing in India is gaining industrial significance as investments in electricity transmission infrastructure create opportunities for engineering, fabrication and equipment suppliers. Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) has secured new engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) orders worth approximately Rs 2,349 crore.The contracts have taken the company's financial year 2026-27 (FY27) order inflows beyond Rs 22,000 crore. While the announcement covers multiple business segments, its T&D component provides an opportunity to examine the manufacturing capabilities that support power infrastructure development, including steel tower fabrication, galvanizing and quality assurance. UltraTech Cement has expanded its manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh with a Rs 2,650 crore investment in a new integrated cement plant. The facility, Petnikota Cement Works, is located in Nandyal district and is designed to operate entirely on green energy. The new plant has a clinker production capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and a cement dispatch capacity of 3.6 MTPA. According to the company's press release, the facility is expected to create 650 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect employment opportunities. Construction began in May 2025, and the plant was commissioned within 14 months of its groundbreaking ceremony. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh highlighted the project's quick completion, calling it an example of the state's efforts to improve the ease of doing business. INDIA TARGETS 5 GW AGRIVOLTAICS CAPACITY UNDER NEW PUSHVARROC BETS ON EV BATTERIES WITH 45% STAKE IN FORSEE POWER INDIAKPIL'S RS 2,349 CR INDIA ORDERS BOOSTS GRID TOWER MANUFACTURINGULTRATECH CEMENT INVESTS RS 2,650 CRORE IN NEW ANDHRA PLANTLarsen & Toubro lands major EPC orders worth between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 5,000 crore for high-profile capital projects in Delhi and Amaravati. These dual mega-orders underscore the growing demand for integrated high-end construction services L&T LANDS 2,500-5,000 CR EPC ORDERS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTSacross India's government-led urban and capital-city developments.L&T's Public Spaces, Airports & Health business vertical secures these wins, highlighting specialized engineering capabilities such as complex MEP systems, advanced structural work, and long-term operations and maintenance as key growth drivers for large EPC players beyond pure civil construction. The announcements reinforce how sophisticated building systems now power competitive advantage in prestige government projects.
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