Fresh Tariff Order Offers 4-26% Tariff Relief for MSEDCL Consumers Till '30
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) issued a fresh multi‑year tariff order for MSEDCL, delivering residential electricity bill cuts ranging from 4% to 26% through the 2029‑30 fiscal year. The order replaces a 2025 order that faced a Supreme Court‑mandated review, providing an immediate up‑to‑10% reduction for the current year. It also enhances the Time‑of‑Day (TOD) rebate to 85 paise per unit (≈$0.01) and lowers EV‑charging rates to ₹9.25 (≈$0.11) per unit. High‑tension EV‑charging stations are locked in at ₹9.50 (≈$0.11) per unit through 2028‑29.
Industrial Belts Urge Govt to Cut VAT on Fuel After Hike in Power Tariff
Madhya Pradesh's electricity regulator approved a 4.8% power tariff increase effective April 3, 2026, prompting alarm among manufacturers in Pithampur, Mandideep and surrounding clusters. Industry bodies argue the hike will erode profit margins, especially for MSMEs already squeezed by rising...
Peak Power Demand in Kerala Hits Season's High
Kerala’s power grid recorded a season‑high peak demand of 5,836 MW between 10:30 pm and 11 pm on Thursday, surpassing the 5,600 MW forecast for May. Total electricity consumption in the preceding 24 hours reached 109.1 million units, edging close to the state’s all‑time daily record...
Kolkata Restaurants Explore PNG Option Amid LPG Supply Disruptions
Kolkata’s restaurant sector is turning to piped natural gas (PNG) as commercial LPG supplies become erratic. The National Restaurant Association of India’s Kolkata chapter has begun talks with Bengal Gas Company Ltd (BGCL) to assess PNG feasibility and rollout. BGCL,...
Jindal Stainless, Oyster Renewable Begin Phased Commissioning of 315.6 MW Hybrid Power Project
Jindar Stainless and Oyster Renewable Energy have begun phased commissioning of a 315.6 MW solar‑wind hybrid project spanning Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The venture, funded with over ₹2,000 crore (≈$241 million) and a ₹132 crore (≈$16 million) contribution from Jindal, will deliver 216 MW in Madhya...
Oil Surges to $106, Stocks Fall Amid West Asia War Doubts and Rate Hike Fears
Oil prices jumped to $106 a barrel, spurring global market declines. Iran's denial of any talks with the United States heightened doubts about a swift cease‑fire in the ongoing West Asia conflict. European stocks and bonds fell as ECB President...
India’s Green Hydrogen Capacity Reaches 8,000 Tonnes per Annum Till February 2026: MoS Naik
India has commissioned roughly 8,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen capacity under the National Green Hydrogen Mission as of February 2026. The government targets 5 million tonnes annually by 2030, positioning the country as a global export hub. About ₹700 crore...
Drill India Drill: Iran War Triggers India's Boldest Hunt for Oil
India is fast‑tracking energy self‑reliance after the Iran war, highlighted by ONGC’s $20 billion deepwater drilling tender that demands rigs within 80 days. The initiative is part of Mission Samudra Manthan, which aims to lift exploratory wells from 30 to 100 per...
India Aims to Cut Emissions Intensity by 47% by 2035 From 2005 Levels
India’s cabinet approved a new climate pledge to cut emissions intensity by 47 percent by 2035, relative to 2005 levels. The target builds on a 36 percent reduction achieved between 2005 and 2020 and is paired with a plan to raise clean‑power...
Power Ministry Directs Imported Coal Based Plants to Run at Full Capacity From April 1
India’s Power Ministry has instructed all 15 imported coal‑based thermal plants to operate at full capacity from April 1 to June 30, 2026, citing an anticipated summer peak demand of over 270 GW. The directive, issued under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, aims...
Gas Shortages Push India's Poor Back to Wood and Coal
India, the world’s second‑largest buyer of liquefied petroleum gas, is seeing supply constraints from the ongoing Middle East war. In Delhi, black‑market cylinder prices have jumped from roughly $20 to $53, about double a typical low‑income household’s monthly earnings. Consequently,...
Jakson Group Ropes in Sourav Ganguly to Promote Clean Energy, Infrastructure Solutions
Jakson Group has appointed former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly as its brand ambassador to promote its renewable energy and infrastructure portfolio. The partnership aligns with India’s accelerated energy transition and Jakson’s integrated model covering manufacturing, EPC, project development and operations....
UP Cabinet Approves ₹2,242 Crore for Pashwara South Coal Block in Jharkhand
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved a ₹2,242.9 crore (≈ $270 million) investment for the Pashwara South coal block in Jharkhand. The block, allocated to joint venture NUPPL, will supply coal to the Ghatampur thermal power project in Kanpur, which comprises three 660 MW units,...
Andhra Govt Directs Power Utilities to Maintain Coal Stocks Amid Global Concerns
On March 24, 2026, Andhra Pradesh’s Special Chief Secretary for Energy, K. Vijayanand, instructed state power utilities to maintain ample coal inventories and ensure uninterrupted generation ahead of the summer peak. The directive emphasizes coordination with ports and railways to...
PNGRB Directs City Gas Distributors to Provide Connections to Institutions, Community Ktichens Within 5 Days
India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has mandated city gas distributors to supply piped natural gas (PNG) connections to schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens and Anganwadi centers within five days where pipelines exist. The directive follows a surge...
Balancing Costs, ESG Compliance, and Global Competitiveness with India’s Upstream Solar Policy
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has expanded its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers, creating ALMM List‑III that will take effect on June 1, 2028. The mandate forces all qualifying solar projects...
UP Cabinet Clears Gorakhpur Solar City Plan, Approves 20 MW Floating Solar Plant
Uttar Pradesh’s cabinet approved Gorakhpur’s designation as a solar city and cleared a 20 MW floating solar project on an 80‑acre reservoir in Chiluatal. The plant, to be built by Coal India Ltd on land provided free by the tourism department,...
India's Strategic Oil Reserves About Two-Thirds Full: Minister
India’s strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) are currently about two‑thirds full, holding roughly 3.37 million tonnes of crude – enough for 9.5 days of supply. The nation’s total SPR capacity stands at 5.33 million tonnes across three underground caverns in Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and...
PM Modi: West Asia Conflict's Lasting Effects, India's Diplomatic Push for De-Escalation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran war in West Asia will have lasting global repercussions, especially for trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated India’s diplomatic push to urge all parties to de‑escalate and pursue...
Nepal Plans to Boost Hydropower Exports to India Amid Rising Energy Demand
Nepal's state‑run Nepal Electricity Authority announced plans to nearly double its hydropower exports to India to about 1.1 GW this summer. The target could rise to roughly 2.5 GW within two years as new transmission lines come online. The move responds to...
Gautam Solar Breaks Into Global Top 30, Earns Prestigious ‘Grade A’ Classification by Wood Mackenzie
Gautam Solar has entered Wood Mackenzie’s 2025 Global Top 30 solar module manufacturers and earned the elite Grade A classification, marking it as one of the world’s most reliable and bankable producers. The ranking places the Indian firm alongside dominant Chinese manufacturers,...
RERC Issues Draft Power Purchase Rules Ahead of 3,200 MW Plan Hearing
Rajasthan's electricity regulator, RERC, released draft resource‑adequacy rules to replace a 2004 framework and guide a pending 3,200 MW procurement hearing. The proposals arrive amid conflicting forecasts: the Central Electricity Authority sees no extra thermal capacity needed by 2035‑36, while the...
Koradi Thermal Power Project Gets ₹39.20 Crore Boost for Supercritical Expansion
Maharashtra’s state power utility Mahagenco received a fresh equity infusion of ₹39.20 crore (approximately $4.7 million) for its 2 × 660 MW supercritical expansion at the Koradi Thermal Power Station. The total project, estimated at ₹10,625 crore (~$1.28 billion), is being financed with 80% debt and 20%...
Power Grid Raises FY26 Capex Target to ₹35,000 Crore, Capitalisation Target at ₹25,000 Crore
Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) lifted its FY26 capital expenditure target to ₹35,000 crore, roughly $4.2 billion, and raised its capitalisation goal to ₹25,000 crore (about $3.0 billion). The utility reported that capex to date stands at ₹35,540 crore, 102% of the guidance, while...
MSEDCL Cuts over 21,000 Power Connections over Unpaid Dues
MSEDCL has disconnected more than 21,000 power connections in the Nagpur circle within two weeks, targeting habitual electricity bill defaulters. The campaign, launched on March 1, involved senior engineers overseeing field operations and focused on commercial and industrial consumers. By March 16,...
Govt to Launch Bid for 7th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks on March 23
India will launch its seventh tranche of critical mineral auctions on March 23, 2026, offering 19 blocks across multiple states. The blocks contain lithium, graphite, rare‑earth elements, tungsten, vanadium and titanium, essential for electric vehicles, renewables, fertilizers and defence. The...
India to Start Carbon Credit Trading After Four Months: Power Minister Manohar Lal
India will commence carbon credit trading within four months, announced by Power Minister Manohar Lal. The government has launched a dedicated carbon‑mark portal to handle registration, verification and trading, and more than 40 projects in biogas, green hydrogen and forestry...
CMPDIL IPO: Coal India Arm Sees 7% Subscription on Day 1
Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL), a Coal India subsidiary, launched a ₹1,842‑crore offer‑for‑sale IPO on March 21, 2026. The issue attracted a 7% overall subscription on day one, with retail investors at 10% and non‑institutional investors at 5%. CMPDIL...
Hormuz Shock Hits India's Oil Lifeline
India’s crude oil imports plunged 23% in the first half of March as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, sharply curtailing Gulf deliveries. Refiners responded by nearly doubling purchases from Russia, which now accounts for about 44% of total imports,...
Industrial Diesel Gets Costlier by ₹22/Litre Amid Iran War
State‑run oil firms raised bulk diesel prices by roughly ₹22 per litre, a 25 percent jump, to cushion soaring crude costs linked to the Iran war. Retail premium petrol saw a modest ₹2 per litre increase while regular grades stayed unchanged....
Reliance Industries Signs $3 Billion Green Ammonia Supply Deal with Samsung C&T
Reliance Industries Limited has signed a binding 15‑year supply agreement with South Korea’s Samsung C&T to deliver green ammonia, a deal valued at over $3 billion and slated to begin in the second half of FY2029. The contract ranks among the...
Iran Seeks Return of 3 Tankers Seized by India in Return for Hormuz Safe Passage: Report
India's coastal authorities seized three U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia—on February 6, alleging illicit trade links to Iran. Tehran has offered to release the vessels in exchange for guaranteed safe passage of Indian‑bound ships through the Strait...
Gujarat Hikes LPG Supply by 20 per Cent; Prioritises PNG Connections
Gujarat has raised LPG distribution by 20 percent above the normal weekly quota to guarantee uninterrupted fuel availability. The state is simultaneously prioritising piped natural gas (PNG) connections for hotels, restaurants and other commercial users where network infrastructure exists. Buffer stocks...
India May Soften New Grid-Supply Rules for Renewable Power Producers
India’s power regulator, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, drafted stricter grid‑supply rules for wind and solar producers, including hefty penalties for missing commitments. After developers warned the measures could erode revenues and deter clean‑energy investment, the government asked CERC to...
Adani Power Bags 1600 MW Power Supply Contract From MSEDCL
Adani Power Ltd received a Letter of Award from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd for a 1,600 MW power supply under a 25‑year agreement, with delivery slated for FY 2030‑31. The company won the bid as the lowest‑tariff provider, offering ₹5.30...
Centre Identifying Sites in J&K for New Hydropower Projects, Says Khattar
India's central government is actively scouting locations in Jammu and Kashmir for new hydropower plants, while reviving three to four stalled projects. Existing stations are undergoing desilting to boost reservoir capacity. Parallel studies are evaluating water‑ diversion corridors that could...
LPG Supply: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Warns Hoarders, Those Inciting Panic, Says 'Very Soon Situation Will Return to Normal'
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta warned against LPG hoarding and panic buying, assuring citizens the supply will normalize soon. Oil‑marketing companies (OMCs) confirmed that domestic LPG supplies remain secure and deliveries uninterrupted. The OMCs issued an advisory urging consumers to...
India to Procure Spot LNG for Urea Manufacturing
India’s government announced a rapid spot‑LNG procurement to offset a 40% supply cut from Qatar, which has jeopardised domestic urea production. Petronet LNG invoked force majeure after tankers failed to reach Ras Laffan amid the West Asia conflict. The first...
Coal India Aims to Ensure Power at Just Price Amid West Asia Crisis: Official
Coal India Ltd (CIL), which produces about 80% of India’s domestic coal, pledged to keep electricity prices fair amid the West Asia crisis that threatens imported coal costs. The state‑owned firm holds 122 million tonnes of pithead inventory and 53 million tonnes...
Oil Cos Weigh Refinery Price Freeze; Move May Hit MRPL, CPCL
State‑owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) are weighing a freeze or discount on the refinery transfer price (RTP), paying refiners less than import‑parity rates to curb losses from a retail fuel price freeze. Global crude prices have surged above $100 per...
Karnataka Govt Warns of Action Against Gas Hoarding, Blackmarketing Amid Supply Concerns
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has directed police to crack down on LPG cylinder hoarding and black‑marketing as commercial gas supplies tighten amid the West Asia conflict. While domestic LPG availability remains stable, hotels and other commercial users may face short‑term...
Petroleum Ministry Suspends Tamil Nadu Petrol Pump on Report of Giving Fuel in Loose Container
India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas suspended a Tamil Nadu petrol pump after it was found dispensing fuel into loose containers, a practice deemed unsafe. The ministry warned retailers to adhere strictly to safety guidelines while assuring the public that...
No Crisis in Petroleum, India Diversified Crude Oil Supply: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said India faces no petroleum crisis despite the West Asia conflict, emphasizing that the country has broadened its crude‑oil import base from 27 to 40 supplier nations. He highlighted a 30 percent rise in LPG production, ensuring uninterrupted...
US Says Can Provide 'Reliable' Energy Supply to Asia-Pacific
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgess announced that the United States can provide a reliable, affordable and secure energy supply to the Asia‑Pacific amid the Middle East war that has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration’s...
Ghaziabad Mandates Rooftop Solar and Rainwater Harvesting in Residential Building Plans
Ghaziabad district has issued an order mandating rooftop solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems in all new residential building plans. The requirement ties sustainability measures to plan approvals, echoing a similar policy in Auraiya and signaling potential rollout across Uttar...
Industries in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Seek Power Tariff Cut Amid Rise in Production Costs
Industrial bodies in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have formally requested a ₹5 per unit reduction in electricity tariffs, citing soaring production costs linked to the West Asia crisis. The demand list, presented to Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant, also includes a loan‑repayment...
Rajasthan Agriculture Department Signs Agreement with IORA Ecological Solutions for Carbon Credit Pilot Project
The Rajasthan Agriculture Department has signed an agreement with IORA Ecological Solutions to launch an Agricultural Land Management Carbon Project. The pilot will run in three blocks—Bansur, Mahuwa and Malpura—and aims to channel carbon finance to farmers through plantation, micro‑irrigation,...
India Developing 3 Types of Small Modular Reactors, Govt Tells Lok Sabha
India announced the development of three small modular reactor (SMR) designs – the 220 MWe Bharat SMR‑200, the 55 MWe SMR‑55, and a 5 MWth high‑temperature gas‑cooled reactor (HTGCR) for hydrogen production. Lead units will be built at Tarapur and Vizag sites, with...
About 6,600 MW Nuclear Capacity Under Construction in India
India is building roughly 6,600 MW of nuclear capacity, slated for completion by 2029‑30, while another 7,000 MW remains in planning and approval phases. Current nuclear output already exceeds 8,780 MW, reflecting rapid expansion. Parallel projects include 12,723 MW of hydroelectric plants under construction...
Storage, System Flexibility Now Immediate Priority for India’s Grid: Industry Leaders
India’s renewable share is accelerating, prompting industry leaders to flag storage and system flexibility as immediate priorities. The grid now experiences an estimated 80 GW swing between low‑demand and evening‑peak periods once solar and wind are accounted for. Leaders at the...