Energy Sector

Power Grid outlook strong on capex push, but valuations look stretched

Power Grid's strong capex pipeline and improved execution support growth outlook, but elevated valuations temper upside for the regulated utility

PLNG valuations remain attractive, but near-term downtrend likely

Petronet LNG (PLNG) gets 8.5 mmtpa of LNG from Qatar (50 per cent of its volume) and PLNG has issued a press release in response to QatarEnergy's notice of force majeure

Strikes on Gulf energy infra spark fears of prolonged global impact

This new phase of the war began Wednesday, when Iran carried out a retaliatory missile strike on Ras Laffan, Qatar's vast energy complex

War, emerging geopolitical faultlines: West Asia war jolts global economy

Iran's decision to shut off the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 was not merely an act of retaliation; it was a calculated demonstration of its enduring capacity to disrupt the global commons

Oil prices plunge; two Indian LPG tankers cross Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices dropped sharply after Trump paused Iran strikes, while Indian LPG tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid supply concerns and disruptions in West Asia

West Asia war, fresh US trade probes fuel market volatility: RBI bulletin

The conflict in West Asia and fresh trade investigations by the US have resulted in increased volatility in the global markets, the RBI bulletin said on Monday. India's foreign exchange reserves remain adequate to provide a cushion against external shocks, said an article on the state of the economy published in the bulletin. The second advance estimates of GDP for 2025-26 indicate sustained resilience of the Indian economy, it noted. "High-frequency indicators signal towards economic activity gaining momentum in February," the article said. It further said CPI headline inflation picked up in February on account of food and beverages. System liquidity has remained comfortable, and the total flow of financial resources to the commercial sector rose, with a rise in financing from both the bank and non-bank sources, it added. The central bank, however, said views expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

Coal gasification key to India's energy security, says G Kishan Reddy

Union Minister for coal and mines G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said coal gasification will play an important role in strengthening India's energy security, reducing imports and supporting industrial growth. This push has gained urgency amid the West Asia conflict, which has driven up global energy prices. He was speaking during the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. Describing coal gasification as a key transformative technology, he said it converts coal into Syngas, which can be further used to produce cleaner fuels, chemicals, fertilizers, and hydrogen. This approach enables more efficient and sustainable use of domestic resources while enhancing economic resilience. He also pointed out India's dependence on imports, approximately 83 per cent of crude oil, 50 per cent of natural gas, and over 90 per cent of methanol and fertilizers, making energy security a strategic priority. To promote adoption, the Centre has launched the National Coal Gasification Mission with a target of 100 mill

India faces Qatar LNG supply risk after Iran strikes hit capacity

India, the world's fourth-largest LNG importer, relies on Qatar for about 41 per cent of its gas imports

India's gas utilities eye market share gains amid LPG shortage crisis

The push underscores the nation's struggles with liquefied petroleum gas, used in more than 330 million homes to cook meals, as well as in industries from steel to automobiles

Energy fallout from Iran war signals a wake-up call for renewable energy

The war in Iran is exposing the world's reliance on fragile fossil fuel routes, lending urgency to calls for hastening the shift to renewable energy. Fighting has all but halted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG. The disruption has jolted energy markets, pushing up prices and straining import-dependent economies. Asia, where most of the oil was headed, has been hit hardest, but the disruptions also are a strain for Europe, where policymakers are looking for ways to cut energy demand, and for Africa, which is bracing for rising fuel costs and inflation. Unlike during previous oil shocks, renewable power is now competitive with fossil fuels in many places. More than 90% of new renewable power projects worldwide in 2024 were cheaper than fossil-fuel alternatives, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Oil is used in many industries beyond generating electricity,

Gas-based power plants increasingly becoming impractical: NTPC chief

NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh flags viability concerns for gas-based power plants amid fuel supply uncertainties and stresses need for flexible generation solutions

NTPC, UK's Octopus Energy sign pact to explore power sector opportunities

Homegrown power giant NTPC has signed an agreement with UK-based Octopus Energy Group to explore business opportunities in various segments, including electricity distribution and storage. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Jatinder Singh Chandok, Head International Business Development, NTPC, and Chris Fitzgerald, Group Director, International Affairs, Octopus Energy, on the sidelines of Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in the national capital. The collaboration will explore opportunities across India, the UK and other mutually agreed geographies with a focus on enhancing efficiency, affordability, reliability, and clean energy adoption, NTPC said. The MoU establishes a non-binding frameworkfor cooperation aimed at identifying, assessing, and pursuing opportunities in electricity distribution and retail, renewable energy and storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, digital energy platforms, innovation, research & development and capacity building.

Petrol dealers may face cash crunch as OMCs seek advance payments

Dealers warn of reduced fuel orders as refiners end credit supply amid losses on petrol and diesel sales with retail prices unchanged

ReNew Energy set to secure $800 million refinancing loan this year

The five-year facility will be priced at about 185 basis points over the benchmark Secured Overnight Financing Rate, the people said. Final terms may change

The calculus of war: Power, oil, and the logic of conflict in Iran

Everybody loves a good war, especially if they are oil-rich. Here's the algebra of the calculus of war for Iran

Centre discusses rare-earth corridor sites in Andhra, Odisha and Kerala

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

West Asia crisis: India engages key players to secure energy supplies

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

TN govt offers ₹2 per unit power subsidy for eateries using induction

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

ISMA urges PMO to fast-track ethanol blending beyond 20% amid energy crisis

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

Datanomics: India's natural gas squeeze amid rising West Asia conflict

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