Energy Sector

Centre discusses SOP for monazite handling, private participation as corridor plans move ahead

Against the backdrop of spiralling hostilities in West Asia, India on Saturday said it has remained in touch with all key players, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, the US and Israel, with a primary focus on safeguarding its energy security. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that besides advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, India has consistently underlined the necessity of ensuring the unimpeded transit of goods and energy supplies through the region. Aseem Mahajan, an additional secretary in the ministry, said five Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in the ongoing conflict. He said around 1,72,000 Indians have returned to India since February 28, the day the hostilities began. "We have also called for avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. We believe that these are the priorities of a large part of the global community since the impact of the conflict is bei

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit of electricity for restaurants, hotels and tea shops that switch to electric stoves instead of commercial LPG cylinders to run their businesses. Chief Minister M K Stalin has been holding review meetings since the conflict in West Asia began on February 28, which has led to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders for eateries, the government said. At a review meeting held on Saturday, it was decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit for the additional electricity consumed by the hotels, tea shops and cloud kitchens using induction stoves. "This subsidy will remain in effect as long as the commercial LPG usage restrictions announced by the Centre are in place," Additional Chief Secretary J Radhakrishnan said. Briefing reporters at the Secretariat here, he said electricity consumption by hoteliers and restaurants has increased, with demand rising by about 50 MW above the average in the recent days. Referri

Sources said ISMA, in a letter written a few days ago, stated that while global energy markets remain uncertain, accelerating domestic biofuel utilisation is both an economic and strategic imperative

India's LNG imports have more than doubled in the last decade from $6 billion in FY17 to nearly $15 billion in FY25

Air-conditioner makers warn of production risks as LPG shortages linked to the West Asia conflict disrupt supply of fuel used in brazing and coating processes

Government engages Tehran to ensure safe transit for Indian-flagged vessels amid West Asia conflict as concerns mount over oil, gas and fertiliser supplies

A parliamentary committee has flagged significant delays in expenditure under the scheme for promotion of coal, lignite gasification, noting zero spending for most of 2025-26 despite a revised allocation of Rs 285 crore, and suggested a time-bound spending framework with quarterly milestone verification. The standing committee on coal, mines and steel was of the view that the scheme's outlay was brought down from Rs 300 crore at Budget Estimates (BE) 2025-26 to Rs 285 crore at Revised Estimates (RE) stage due to milestone-based needs, with no expenditure incurred and even a a single eligible project pending reimbursement formalities. "The committee noted that no expenditure is incurred for most of the financial year, with even a single eligible project awaiting fulfilment of reimbursement formalities," it said. The panel further noted that against a Revised Estimate of Rs 285 crore in 2025-26, the Budget Estimate for 2026-27 was sharply raised to Rs 3,525 crore. The committee, ...

As many as 34 out of the 40 constituent stocks were trading in the green, while six were in the red

Government prioritises LPG and LNG supply for domestic use as West Asia conflict disrupts shipments; India also secures alternative supplies that bypass the Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude briefly surged to $120 a barrel amid supply disruptions in West Asia. Analysts warn that the Iran war could reshape oil price trajectories and pose fresh risks to India's energy security

India has invoked emergency provisions and declared force majeure, reprioritising natural gas supplies to key sectors such as households and fertiliser plants

ADB says India's crude oil reserves of about 100 million barrels-enough for 40-45 days-leave the country exposed to potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz

"Everybody that has not called for force majeure we expect will do so in the next few days that this continues. All exporters in the Gulf region will have to call force majeure," Kaabi told the FT

QatarEnergy has halted production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid attacks on its facilities as tensions rise in West Asia

Rising renewable energy capacity is straining India's grid, forcing curtailments and raising concerns over stability

Petronet LNG issued force majeure to QatarEnergy and its off-takers after LNG production was halted amid the West Asia crisis, saying the impact cannot be estimated at this point

The state-owned firm blamed the war for the decision

US and Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have deepened open conflict with Iran and rattled West Asia, disrupting sea routes via Strait of Hormuz, fuelling oil price spike

The government will take a consensual view before implementing the CAFE-III rules, which seek to limit average fuel consumption and carbon emissions across the entire model range of an automobile manufacturer, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Sunday. The Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency-III (CAFE-3), introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), is proposed to be effective from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2032. The government has sought feedback on the draft rule from stakeholders. Automobile makers have mixed views on its implementation framework, with some demanding a relaxed emission mandate for small cars based on weight and affordability. Those opposing the relaxation criteria argue that such a move would lead to a compromise on safety standards and hamper the country's clean energy transition. The draft norms, which were brought for discussions in September 2025, suggested relaxed conditions for small cars with an unladen mass up to 909 kg, engine capacity not