Electricity Sector

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

India to see rare coal-fired power dip in 2025, only third in 50 years: IEA

IEA said an early, strong monsoon could curb demand and lift hydropower, pushing coal-fired output down about 3% in 2025, even as coal capacity continues to expand

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