Page 2 - Electricity

India achieves 250 GW green energy generation capacity: Prahlad Joshi

India's non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity has jumped over three-fold to touch 250 GW-mark from 81 GW in 2014, New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. The country aims to have 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. "India's non-fossil installed capacity has witnessed an extraordinary rise from 81 GW before 2014 to 250 GW in 2025. This decade of consistent growth highlights the country's strong commitment to clean, sustainable and renewable energy, laying a solid foundation for a greener future," Joshi wrote on social media platform X. The minister further stated that this achievement across solar, wind, hydro, bio-energy and nuclear power strengthens our path to 500 GW by 2030 and positions India as a global leader in clean energy. According to his post on the X, the 250 GW non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity includes 123.13 GW solar, 52,68 GW wind energy, 55.22 GW hydro, 11.60 bio-energy and 8.78 GW nuclear energy.

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

Peak power demand unlikely to reach 277 GW this summer due to rains: CEA

Peak power demand is unlikely to touch the projected 277 GW this summer as intermittent rains have reduced the use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners, a top government official said on Friday. "No, I don't think that it (peak power demand) will go to that level now. If this kind of rain continues, then it will not reach," Ghanshyam Prasad, the Chairperson of Central Electricity Authority (CEA) told PTI on the sidelines of BNEF Summit in the national capital. The regulatory body chief was responding to a question whether the peak power demand would touch the projected level of 277 GW. The CEA formulates short-term and perspective plans for the development of the electricity system, and coordinates the activities of the planning agencies. The government had projected 277 gigawatt (GW) of peak power demand for 2025-26. Various government sources had expected the peak demand to hit the 277 GW level by September. Prasad also said that 277 GW was not a target, but a projecti

India energy giants back nuclear power to boost clean electricity output

Atomic power is witnessing a revival globally due to its ability to deliver low-emissions energy

Clear directives, data visibility crucial for smart meter success: CII poll

A CII poll says smart meter roll-out faces challenges of legacy infrastructure, poor connectivity and low consumer engagement, stressing clear guidelines and transparent billing

India's solar module capacity has hit 100 GW mark: Pralhad Joshi

India's solar module manufacturing capacity has hit the 100 GW mark from just 2.3 GW in 2014, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. The progress brings India close to its vision of having 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030, the Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said in a post on X. "India has achieved a historic milestone -- 100 GW solar PV module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), a remarkable rise from just 2.3 GW in 2014!" Joshi said. The achievement, he said, "strengthens our path towards #AtmanirbharBharat and the target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030." In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the achievement another milestone towards self-reliance. "This is yet another milestone towards self-reliance! It depicts the success of India's manufacturing capabilities and our efforts towards popularising clean energy," Modi said. The MNRE, in a statement, said the ALMM order was is

Coal India modifies long-term supply deals to allow power sale on exchanges

The move would enable consistent demand for coal, Coal India said in the notice dated August 6, which was reviewed by Reuters

IEX sees record-high volume in July; electricity prices continue to drop

Electricity traded on IEX rose 25.5% to 12,664 MU in July, led by higher supply; average Day-Ahead and Real-Time prices dropped despite strong demand and market reforms

IBA urges govt to provide concessional electricity tariff for CBG plants

Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has urged the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide a concessional electricity tariff for compressed biogas (CBG) plants to boost the clean energy transition. In a comprehensive submission to the ministry, IBA stressed that the cost of electricity is a significant operational expense, averaging 30 per cent of overall OPEX, ranging between 20 per cent and 48 per cent, based on the feedstock used and the scale of the plant, an IBA statement said. According to the statement, IBA has suggested that the government should grant concessional electricity rates to CBG plants, which are at a disadvantage due to high industrial electricity charges that account for as high as 48 per cent of their running costs. The association's detailed cost study indicates that at an average industrial tariff of Rs 7 per kWh, electricity takes up a significant portion of the overall operating costs of commercial-scale CBG plants, like 34 per cent in paddy straw-based

HP electricity board records ₹315 cr profit in FY25 after years of losses

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) turned profitable in financial year 2024-25, earning a profit of Rs 315 crore, an official statement said. Until March 31, 2024, HPSEBL had accumulated losses amounting to Rs 3,742 crore. "After facing losses for many years, this is the highest profit ever recorded by the board. This milestone is not just a number, but a reflection of the commitment of the present state government to its vision of a 'Nai Soch, Naya Himachal'," a government spokesperson said in the statement. The present Himachal government, through its reforms, transparent administrative policies and financial discipline helped the board recover from losses and turn profitable, he said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the success was the result of a clear policy, honest governance and a welfare-oriented approach. As per the statement, for 2024-25, an amount of Rs 368.89 crore was approved for gratuity, medical reimbursement, revised pension .

Thane civic chief warns power firms against connection to illegal buildings

Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Wednesday instructed power supply companies not to provide electricity to any unauthorised structures, and asked them to verify the legal status of such properties first. In a high-level meeting held in the afternoon at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters, Rao conveyed that supplying power to unauthorised buildings and structures was a violation of court orders and must be prevented through rigorous verification procedures. "There are clear orders of the high court that no power supply should be provided to any unauthorised construction," he said, emphasizing that it was the legal responsibility of both Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) and Torrent Power to verify the legality of any building before approving power connections. Electricity cannot be supplied on the basis of an affidavit or application alone. The power companies must verify supporting documents that establish the legal status of a ..

'Na bijli ayegi na bill': BJP leader mocks ally Nitish Kumar's poll promise

BJP leader Arvind Kumar Sharma mocked JD(U) ally Nitish Kumar's promise of free electricity in Bihar, saying it would be free only if supplied. 'Na bijli ayegi na bill ayega,' he quipped

Electricity futures to remain tool for hedging: Sebi chief Pandey

Safeguards in place to avoid speculative activity on electricity futures, says Sebi chairman

NSE launches out monthly electricity futures to hedge price volatility

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) on Monday launched monthly electricity futures contracts which allow power buyers, sellers, traders and retailers to manage price risks. As of 2 pm, the contracts recorded more than 4,000 lots, representing more than 200 million units of electricity. The total turnover of trade has crossed 87.36 crore, with the volume-weighted average price recorded at Rs 4,368/MWh (megawatt-hour), the exchange said in a statement. "The first trade opened at Rs 4,430/MWh, and as of the reporting time, the price was trending around Rs 4,364/MWh, reflecting healthy participation across participants including power generators, discoms, large industrial consumers, and market intermediaries, it said. According to the exchange, the launch provides a transparent, risk-managed platform for participants to hedge electricity price volatility, support long-term power planning, and contribute to country's broader energy transition goals.

FGD rule relaxation may cut electricity cost by 25-30 paise per unit

The government's move to ease sulphur emission rules for most coal-fired power plants strikes a delicate balance between costs, climate and compliance and is expected to cut electricity costs by 25-30 paise per unit, officials said on Sunday. In a gazette notification, the government has restricted the 2015 mandate of installing flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems that remove sulphur from a power plants' exhaust gases, only to plants located within 10 kilometres of cities with a population exceeding one million. Plants in critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis while all other plants -- accounting for nearly 79 per cent of India's thermal power capacity -- are exempt from mandatory FGD installation. The notification stated that the decision was made following a detailed analysis by the Central Pollution Control Board, which found increased carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the operation of existing control ...

MCX to launch India's first electricity futures contracts on July 10

The exchange will initially launch cash-settled contracts for the current and next three-month periods, but they will subsequently be available for all 12 calendar months, said MCX

Tata Power applies to expand electricity distribution in Maharashtra

Tata Power has applied to distribute electricity to various pockets of Maharashtra as part of its efforts to expand beyond the financial capital, officials said on Thursday. The company has filed for a license across key growth regions, including parts of Mumbai, Pune, Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik, they added. It can be noted that through amendments made to the Electricity Act, private distribution companies are allowed to apply to serve various parts. However, they were hesitant to apply due to the high investments required for setting up such infrastructure. In 2022, Tata Power's rival Adani Group, with which it competes in Mumbai suburban areas, applied for select areas and expressed intent to invest up to Rs 5,700 crore towards the initiative. In the application submitted before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), seeking the grant of a distribution license to serve key regions across the state, the Tata Group company has evinced interest in serving areas li

State-run Mahavitaran seeks licence to supply electricity across Mumbai

In a move aimed at expanding its footprint into Mumbai, state-run power utility MSEDCL has filed an application before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), seeking a parallel licence to distribute electricity across the financial capital. In a release, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL or Mahavitaran) said the petition has been submitted under sections 14 and 15 of the Electricity Act, 2003, along with provisions of the MERC Rules, 2006, and the Electricity Distribution Licence Rules, 2005. The company has urged the commission to grant it permission to supply electricity to key regions in Mumbai -- ranging from Colaba to Mahim, Bandra to Dahisar, Vikhroli to Chunabhatti and Mankhurd, as well as Chena, Kajupada, and Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation limits. Currently, power in Mumbai is distributed by three players -- civic utility Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), private companies Adani Electricity

Nepalese Foreign Minister calls for 'green energy cooperation' with India

Green energy cooperation will foster mutual interdependence between New Delhi and Kathmandu, Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzoo Rana Deuba said on Thursday, adding that it can be done by promoting clean and sustainable energy sources. India's commitment to import 10,000 MW electricity over the next decade reflects the growing momentum in Nepal-India energy cooperation, Deuba said while speaking at the NepalIndia Strategic Dialogue organised by think tanks Ananta Aspen Centre and Centre for Innovative Foreign Policy in Kathmandu. Nepal and India had signed a long-term agreement in January 2024 to facilitate the export of 10,000 MW of electricity to India in the next 10 years. The foremost priority in Nepal- India relations is the need to advance our economic partnership by intensifying cooperation in trade, transit and investment, Deuba asserted. Nepal's enormous hydro-potential offers a clean climate resilient and renewable energy source that can be harnessed for generations to come, s

Govt plans additional Rs 5,400 crore VGF to create 30 GWh battery storage

Centre also extends ISTS charges waiver for BESS and storage projects till June 2028, plans 1,100 kV UHV lines and revises RoW compensation linked to land value