Electricity Sector

Brazil's Sao Paulo blackout leaves 1.4 mn without power; flights cancelled

More than 1.4 million Sao Paulo residents had no electricity on Thursday after strong winds caused several trees to collapse onto the Brazilian metropolis' grid the day before. Local authorities said there were no injuries, but almost 400 flights were cancelled. Utility Enel has provided no deadline for services to return. One of its directors, Marcelo Puertas, told journalists the Italian company has 1,300 people working to solve the issue since winds of about 100 kilometres per hour started hitting Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo city hall said 231 trees have fallen due to what it calls effects of an extratropical cyclone formed in the south of Brazil. Aviation authorities say most of the cancelled flights were at the local Congonhas airport, but added that Guarulhos International Airport, outside the city, was also affected. Mayor Ricardo Nunes, whose administration is responsible for trimming the trees that were pushed against the grid, told journalists Wednesday night he had told the ...

India achieved 50% of electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels: MNRE

India has already achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy release, as of October 31 2025, the installed capacity from non-fossil sources stands at about 259 GW, with 31.2 GW added in the current financial year up to October.At several places, it is being reported that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an advisory to lenders to pause fresh financing to Renewable Energy Projects amid significant overcapacity concerns.It is hereby clarified that MNRE has not issued any advisory to Financial Institutions for stopping lending to either renewable energy power projects or to renewable energy equipment manufacturing facilities.However, MNRE, has circulated to Department of Financial Servies and NBFCs like PFC, REC and IREDA, the status of present installed ...

Power projects should be granted connectivity on basis of PPAs: CERC

A staff paper suggests shifting from LoA-based approvals to PPA-linked or auctioned connectivity to ensure timely project execution and better use of grid assets

UP electricity commission keeps tariffs unchanged for 6th consecutive year

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) on Saturday announced power tariffs for FY 2025-26, keeping rates unchanged for the sixth consecutive year. The decision, officials said, reflects Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to protect consumer interests. As per a press statement, according to the new multi-year tariff regulations (2025), all consumer categories will continue with the existing tariff structure. The UPERC has also fixed a distribution loss trajectory, directing UPPCL to reduce overall losses from 13.78 per cent in FY 24-25 to 10.74 per cent by FY 29-30. The commission said all consumers will benefit from the Green Energy Tariff. The UPERC said only Madhyanchal and Paschimanchal DISCOMs achieved their FY 24-25 loss targets, while Purvanchal DISCOM performed the worst. Subsidies for lifeline consumers, rural scheduled metered households and private tubewells will continue as before. The commission also directed DISCOMs to collect PAN details o

India's power discoms face another reckoning as Centre mulls fresh reforms

After four failed reform drives, a new plan aims to rescue India's debt-laden power discoms through privatisation, accountability and long-term financial fixes

Jaipur's decentralised solar panel plants soar to 121 with 5 additions

The Central government provides an assistance of up to ₹1.05 crore -- 30 per cent of the cost-- for the installation in Component C

India's electricity demand likely to grow 4-4.5% in FY26, says ICRA

ICRA expects electricity demand to rebound in the second half of FY26, with renewables and stable economic activity driving growth despite early monsoon effects

The GST model for power: A viable way to implement electricity reform

Is there any hope now that the Modi government will be able to overcome any political resistance to those proposals in the form of a new amendment Bill for the power distribution sector?

Execution delays in smart electricity meter projects to hit returns: Crisil

Crisil Ratings says slower installation of smart meters and payment delays under the RDSS scheme could reduce the internal rate of return for AMISPs by up to 150 basis points

Power network sharing proposal needs to address legacy PPAs: Former secy

The proposal is part of the new Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 floated by the ministry for public consultation

Draft bill floated to open up retail power sector nationwide to pvt firms

The move will allow private companies such as Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power and CESC to strengthen their presence across the country

Solar, wind power grew faster than electricity demand this year: Report

Worldwide solar and wind power generation has outpaced electricity demand this year, and for the first time on record, renewable energies combined generated more power than coal, according to a new analysis. Global solar generation grew by a record 31 per cent in the first half of the year, while wind generation grew by 7.7 per cent, according to the report by the energy think tank Ember, which was released after midnight Tuesday London time. Solar and wind generation combined grew by more than 400 terawatt hours, which was more than overall global demand increased in the same period, it found. The findings suggest it is possible for the world to wean off polluting sources of power even as demand for electricity skyrockets with continued investment in renewables including solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energies. That means that they can keep up the pace with growing appetite for electricity worldwide, said Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, senior electricity analyst at

Power cost to drop 17-18 paise per unit as GST Council scraps coal cess

The GST Council's decision to remove the Rs 400 coal cess will lower electricity generation costs, ease liquidity for coal companies and make domestic coal more competitive

India's data centres may become 2nd-biggest power buyer in Apac region

The massive growth of data centres can be reflected in the fact that global as well as local players have announced investments of US $ 32 billion in the last two years in this space

Basic issues in discoms must be addressed to root out persistent problems

Discom losses and distorted tariffs threaten India's power reforms; a consensus on cost-reflective pricing and transparent subsidies is crucial for sustainable growth

GoM discusses new scheme for debt restructuring of power discoms

The GoM also held deliberations for drafting the broad contours of the new scheme to be proposed for debt restructuring of distribution utilities

J&K CM rules out electricity privatisation, pledges reforms in sector

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed speculation about privatisation of electricity in the Union territory, and said his vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector. "We are not talking about privatisation. If we reduce our losses, improve billing efficiency and enhance revenue generation, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J-K," Abdullah said. The CM addressed the gathering at the 58th Engineers' Day at SKICC here on late Monday evening. The event was held to honour the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contribution to engineering in India. The chief minister said electricity generation and efficient distribution hold the key to economic prosperity in J-K. Emphasising the critical role of the power sector, Abdullah underscored the need for J-K to reduce its power losses and then focus on harnessing its vast hydropower potential to strengthen its economy. "This is the o

Bangladesh buys more power from India, lifts fuel oil use as demand rises

Power imports, mainly from an Adani Power-run coal-fired plant in eastern India, rose 70 per cent in the seven months through July

Data centres guzzle massive electricity. Can we make them more efficient?

Some predictions estimate 8-10 per cent of the planet's electricity production will be needed to sustain the relentless growth in data centres

IEX electricity trade rises nearly 19% to 11,803 million units in Aug

Indian Energy Exchange on Thursday said that its monthly electricity traded volume grew 18.9 per cent to 11,803 million units (MU) in August on a year-on-year basis. A total of 21.68 lakh Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) were traded during the month, an IEX (Indian Energy Exchange) statement said. The monthly electricity traded volume (including TRAS) stood at 11,803 MU in August 2025, marking an 18.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth, according to the statement. Despite higher demand, prices on power exchanges were lower than the previous year, owing to higher supply side liquidity on the exchange platform, it explained. The market clearing price in the day-ahead market stood at Rs 4.00 per unit in August 2025, marking a 7 per cent year-on-year(YoY) decline. Similarly, the price in the Real Time Market was Rs 3.38 per unit in August 2025, down 6 per cent YoY. These prices presented an opportunity for Discoms and Commercial & Industrial consumers to meet their demand at a .