Page 5 - Energy Sector

Growing pains: NTPC expansion spawns companies and CEOs in equal measure

The power conglomerate is increasingly looking at downstream renewable energy projects and is creating new companies and chief executives to run them in without PSU-culture constraints

Motilal Oswal bets on India's wind sector, recommends buying this stock

Key growth drivers include India's sizeable underutilised manufacturing base-currently operating at only 20-25 per cent of its ~18GW annual WTG capacity-and strong domestic engineering expertise.

Govt plans to ease petrol pump licensing norms amid energy security push

The government is considering further easing the norms for setting up petrol pumps in the world's fastest-growing fuel market, in light of the evolving energy security paradigm and commitment to decarbonisation, according to an official order. The government had in 2019 relaxed the norms for setting up petrol pumps, opening the door for non-oil companies to enter the fuel retailing business. At that time, companies with a net worth of Rs 250 crore were permitted to sell petrol and diesel, provided they committed to setting up infrastructure for at least one new-generation alternative fuel, such as CNG, LNG, biofuels, or EV charging, within three years of beginning their operations. For companies wanting to sell petrol and diesel to retail and bulk consumers, the networth criteria was set at Rs 500 crore. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has now constituted an expert committee to review the 2019 guidelines for granting authorisation to market transportation fuels. The expe

Chhattisgarh govt inks agreement with NHPC to develop 1800 MW PSP

NHPC inked the pact on August 8 with the Chhattisgarh government and Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL) for developing the pumped storage projects

The stealth reform of India's electricity sector gains quiet traction

To ease utility opposition and win approval, renewables are framed as captive generation-meant to meet the developer's own energy needs

SECI sees record-low price of ₹55.75 per kg in first green ammonia auction

This holds significance as low-priced green ammonia is pivotal for India to reduce reliance on imported natural gas for fertiliser production, lower carbon emissions, and enhance energy security.

Nuclear power-focused Core Energy Systems raises ₹200 crore funding

Engineering, procurement and construction services provider Core Energy Systems on Wednesday announced a Rs 200 crore fund raise from a clutch of investors. The over 20-year-old EPC company, which is currently refurbishing India's oldest nuclear facility at Tarapur near here, aims to utilise the funding for expanding infrastructure and manufacturing and strengthening its capacity to deliver large-scale nuclear projects. The funding will also reinforce efforts supporting India's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Bharat Modular Reactor (BMR) programmes, a statement said. Pankaj Prasoon and Ashish Kacholia, along with a consortium of "strategic investors aligned with India's long-term national goals", have invested Rs 200 crore in the company as part of the current round, it said. "This investment gives muscle to our commitment to shaping India's civil nuclear future," the company's managing director, Nagesh Basarkar, said. The statement said given the country's ambitions of upping nuc

60% women in energy sector seek gender-based policies: IESA report

About 60 per cent of women respondents in the energy sector have called for gender-responsive policies to boost the country's 500 GW renewables target by 2030, a report by industry body India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) said. The study, conducted across 26 states highlighted the urgent need for strong policy and regulatory frameworks to foster participation of women in India's energy sector, an IESA statement said. The report revealed that 60 per cent of women in energy sector sought gender-responsive policies to boost India's 500 GW clean energy target by 2030. With robust government schemes and initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, and National Green Hydrogen Mission, the industry is striving towards unlocking the full potential of women's engagement in the sector. IESA President Debmalya Sen said in the statement, "Women are not just participating in the energy transition -- they are leading it from the frontlines." The IESA is a premier industry body dedicated to

Running on clean hopes, dirty fuel: India's renewable plans face key risks

India's renewable plans read bold, but shortfalls in generation, grid gaps, and sluggish execution risk dimming the big switch

24x7 power: Nasdaq-listed ReNew set for a round-the-clock start

The last leg of the peak power project's commissioning, set up in the Koppal district of Karnataka, will include the installation of a wind turbine

Power consumption increases 2.6% to 153.63 billion units in July

Power consumption in the country grew marginally by 2.6 per cent year-on-year to 153.63 billion units (BU) in July, mainly due to reduced usage of cooling appliances amid heavy downpour in several parts of the country. Power consumption was recorded at 149.65 BU in July, 2024, according to official data. Experts believe the heavy rains across the country due to active monsoon affected the power consumption as well as demand in July. The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) in July dipped slightly to about 220.59 GW last month, from around 226.63 GW in July, 2024. Peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. According to government estimates, peak power demand was expected to touch 277 GW in the summer of 2025. However, during this summer season (from April onwards), the record peak power demand was 242.77GW in June. According to the Indian Meteorol

PowerGrid Q1FY26 results: Profit slips 2.5% to ₹3,630 cr on higher expenses

PowerGrid reported a rise in income to ₹11,444 crore; Board clears ₹55,000 crore fundraising and key JV, asset expansion plans

Wipro, Saudi's National Grid ink deal to boost operational efficiencies

Wipro signs a multi-year agreement with Saudi National Grid SA to implement a smart meter data management system, improving grid stability and operational efficiencies

India may escape 'relatively unscathed' from European Union's sanctions

Different kinds of sanctions are staggered for implementation until Jan 2026, giving further room for Indian refiners to take countermeasures, according to EU sanction documents and refining officials

BP-chartered tanker leaves port of Nayara Energy without loading diesel

The vessel was supposed to load ultra low sulphur diesel on July 21 with the cargo bound for Africa

Govt allows NTPC to invest up to ₹20,000 cr in renewable energy

The government on Wednesday permitted state-run NTPC to invest up to Rs 20,000 crore for renewable energy capacity addition to achieve 60 GW capacity by 2032. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared details about the decision taken at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCEA has enhanced delegation of power to NTPC Ltd to invest in NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) and subsequently, NGEL investing in NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL) and its other JVs/subsidiaries up to Rs 20,000 crore for Renewable Energy (RE) capacity addition to achieve 60 GW Renewable Energy Capacity by 2032. The earlier approved prescribed limit for NTPC was Rs 7,500 crore. The enhanced delegation given to NTPC and NGEL will facilitate accelerated development of renewable projects in the country, an official release said. The move will also play a vital role in strengthening power infrastructure and ensuring investment in providing reliable, round-the-clock ...

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 ...

India's biggest bet on securing bids from foreign drillers in crucial move

An official said main problem for India's petroleum sector, considering its lucrative geology less than that of countries in Africa and South America, was frequent changes in tax & incentive policies

Gentari, Shell India forge EV charger roaming partnership in India

Clean energy firm Gentari and Shell India have formed a strategic partnership to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility nationwide, according to a company announcement on Thursday. The partnership aims to provide access to a collective network of over 450 EV charging points across India. "Effective July 10, Shell Recharge charging points will be accessible through the Gentari Go app, and Gentari chargers will be available to Shell Recharge users, giving them access to a network of more than 450 chargers," Gentari said in a statement. The partnership aims to significantly enhance EV charging accessibility and service quality in India by enabling roaming between Gentari Go and Shell Recharge. Gentari Go provides users with access to a growing network of over 5,000 charging points across India, Malaysia, and Thailand. In India alone, Gentari Go features more than 3,000 charging points. This network will increase with the integration of Shell Recharge's strategically loca

Repurpose LNG infra to make ports GH2 export hubs, say ports body

Report calls for establishing common user infrastructure for quickly setting up green hydrogen facilities