Electricity Sector

New captive power rules to boost renewable energy adoption by industries

Industry says changes to captive power rules will make renewable projects more scalable, enabling group companies to access captive power benefits and boost clean energy adoption

Govt amends captive power plant rules to clarify ownership provisions

The government has amended electricity rules governing captive power plants, clarifying ownership provisions and verification norms to reduce disputes and improve ease of doing business

Adani Power gets LoA from MSEDCL for 1,600 MW long-term power supply

Power to be supplied from upcoming ultra-supercritical plant under proposed 25-year agreement starting FY31

Centre amends electricity rules to clarify norms for captive power

The government on Saturday announced amendments in the electricity norms for bringing more clarity for captive power generation, especially for industries, in line with India's energy transition goals. Generating power closer to the point of consumption will help reduce transmission losses, improve system efficiency and strengthen grid resilience, the Ministry of Power said in a statement. The Ministry said that the amendments have been finalised after extensive stakeholder consultations. The Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026, have been notified to remove interpretational ambiguities, improve ease of doing business for industry, and align the captive generation framework with India's energy transition and industrial growth objectives. The ministry said that with the amendments, the government has simplified a number of provisions in the rules for ease of compliance. By clarifying ownership provisions, simplifying rules for group captive arrangements, and establishing a clear ...

Volume of electricity trade on IEX jumps over 30% to 12,550 mn units in Feb

Indian Energy Exchange on Thursday said that the volume of electricity trade on the platform grew by 30.4 per cent annually to 12,550 million units (MU) in February. Also, a total of 18.86 lakh renewable energy certificates (RECs) were traded last month, marking a 15.2 per cent year-on-year increase, an IEX statement said. The bourse achieved the monthly trade volume of 12,550 MU in February 2026, which was 30.4 per cent higher than the number recorded in the same month a year ago. It logged a total of 18.86 lakh RECs traded between February 11 and February 25 this year at a price ranging from Rs 333-337 apiece. Despite an increase in energy consumption, IEX said that prices on power exchanges were lower compared to the previous year due to higher supply liquidity on the exchange platform. The clearing price in the Day Ahead Market (DAM) at Rs 3.58/unit last month was 18.3 per cent lower year-on-year, while the price in the Real Time Market (RTM) at Rs 3.59/unit declined 18.7 per

M&A activity in power sector gathers pace as PPAs drive up valuations

Accelerating power demand, revival of long-term PPAs, stronger plant load factors and attractive valuations are triggering a fresh wave of M&A activity across thermal and renewable assets

MSEDCL to demerge agri biz by April; IPO listing by end-2026

MSEDCL plans to demerge its agriculture arm by April, clean up its balance sheet and launch a 10% IPO by December, aiming to cut debt and boost renewables

Power generation capacity addition crosses 50 GW during Apr-Jan period

India's power generation capacity addition from all energy sources has crossed record the 50 GW-mark during April-January period in the ongoing fiscal year, according to an official statement. This marks the highest-ever capacity addition in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 34,054 MW achieved during 202425, the power ministry said in a statement. During the current financial year 202526 (up to January 31), a record 52,537 MW of generation capacity (from all sources) was added, it said. Of this, 39,657 MW has been added from renewable energy sources, which includes 34,955 MW of solar power, 4,613 MW of wind power. Further, this also implies that during 2025-26 (upto 31.1.2026), there was an addition of more than 11% to the total installed capacity of the country. As on January 31, 2026, India's total installed power generation capacity stands at 520,510.95 MW, comprising fossil fuel-based capacity of 248,541.62 MW; non-fossil fuel capacity of 271,969.33 MW; nuclear

How Bihar is attempting power supply cost reduction, sector turnaround

Smart power procurement, ERP mandates and infrastructure upgrades are helping Bihar lower electricity supply costs and improve the efficiency and quality of power distribution

PM Surya Ghar scheme benefits 2.8 mn households, ₹16,000 cr disbursed: Govt

Over 28 lakh households have benefited under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana as of January 2026, with disbursement of Rs 16,061.12 crore as central financial assistance, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. The government is also strengthening global partnerships to advance renewable energy, storage and grid integration, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Naik informed the House that since the launch of the scheme in February 2024, total 22,65,521 roof top solar (RTS) systems have been installed across the country, benefitting 28,24,518 households with disbursement of Rs 16,061.12 crore as central financial assistance till January 30, 2026. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, it has been estimated that RTS installation in 1 crore households may produce renewable electricity of 1,000 billion units, which may result in reduction of 720 million tonne of CO2 equivalent emission during the 25 years of lifeti

State power discom profits hide a deeper and unresolved fiscal problem

After a decade of losses, the state discoms reported profits of about ₹2,700 crore in 2024-25, a turnaround from the losses of over ₹25,000 crore the previous year

Rewiring power reforms: Discom profitability is an encouraging start

India's discoms return to profitability after a decade of losses, boosted by fuel cost pass-through, smart metering, and sector reform incentives

Two reforms that rewired the India's electricity distribution sector

Fuel passthrough and RDSS upgrades drive efficiency, collections, and profitability

India's power reforms: New policy aims to address persistent fault lines

The policy rightly recognises that tariff dysfunction is at the heart of the sector's problems

New national policy pegs ₹200 trn investment for power sector by 2047

It proposes reforms to improve sector viability, including cost-reflective tariffs, tighter regulatory timelines and competition in distribution

Time to cut litigation, review excessive regulation in power sector: Secy

Power secretary calls for cutting litigation and reviewing excessive regulation as India pushes ahead with power sector reforms and regulated competition

Rajasthan govt to equip multi-storey buildings in state with solar energy

Rajasthan plans to power multi-storey buildings with solar energy via virtual net metering, aiming to cut power bills, boost green energy use and create jobs

CERC mulls moderation in power trading fee to ease electricity prices

Power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is considering rationalising transaction fees on power trading exchanges, which aims to potentially lower electricity prices as the power sector gears up for market coupling. The development came as the power regulator moves ahead with market coupling, a reform expected to improve efficiency, deepen liquidity and promote price convergence across exchanges. The move could lead to a reduction in the overall cost of power for buyers over a period of time. Market coupling, approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission in July this year after more than two years of deliberations, is proposed to be introduced in a phased manner, beginning with the day-ahead market (DAM) from January 2026. Under the mechanism, buy and sell bids across all power exchanges will be aggregated to discover a single market-clearing price, replacing the current system of multiple prices across platforms. An official said CERC has firmed up a

India's energy jobs boom exposes the myth of AI-led job destruction

AI has been framed as a job-stealing force. The electricity sector tells a different story

Power ministry working on plan to boost domestic mfg of critical items

The authority has identified a list of 73 critical items through recent consultations with IEEMA and major industry stakeholders