India Power Production

High power costs put cooling out of reach in India's parched heart

Rising electricity costs is worsening heat stress for low-income households

Tighter DSM rules for grid stability raise concerns over RE viability

India's tighter DSM rules aim to improve grid discipline amid rising renewable energy penetration, but industry experts say wider reforms are needed to balance stability and project viability

India's peak power demand hits all-time high of over 257 GW on May 18

India's peak power demand hit an all-time high of 257.37 GW on Monday, primarily driven by increased usage of cooling devices such as air conditioners and desert coolers amid intensifying heat wave conditions, according to power ministry data. The peak power demand on Monday eclipsed the previous all-time high of 256.11 GW on April 25, 2026, at 1538 hrs. According to the power ministry data, peak power demand set a new high of 257.37 GW at 1542 hrs on Monday, and it was fully met. The Power Ministry projects that India's peak power demand will reach 270 GW this summer. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected heatwave conditions this week in large parts of northwest and central India, as the mercury inched towards the 45-degree mark in many places on Monday. Isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are expected to witness heat wave conditions between Monday and May 24, while heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are set to hit parts of

India's power demand likely to grow by 5 to 5.5% in FY27, says Icra

Rating agency ICRA on Thursday said power demand will rise by 5.0-5.5 per cent in 2026-27 as against a tepid one per cent growth in 2025-26, supported by continued momentum in industrial and commercial activity. The country's power demand growth in 2026-27 is likely to be supported by agricultural and household sectors given the expectation of sub-par rainfall amidst a potential El Nino, along with demand from industries as well as from emerging sources like electric vehicles and data centres, ICRA said in a statement. The all-India thermal plant load factor (PLF or capacity utilisation) level fell to 65-66 per cent in 2025-26 amid demand moderation and is likely to remain around 65 per cent in 2026-27, given the healthy growth in generation expected from the renewable sources and 6-GW capacity addition likely in the thermal segment. Ankit Jain, Vice President & Co-Group Head - Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said in the statement that the thermal power sector in India is witnessing a ...

India's total power consumption grows by 4% to 154 billion units in April

India's power consumption witnessed a 4.04 per cent growth to 153.99 billion units (BU) in April compared to the year-ago period as unseasonal rains subdued power demand, especially in the first half of the month, according to official data. The country's total power consumption was 148.01 BU in April 2025. However, due to the rise in mercury level, which caused heat wave conditions, the power demand rose in the latter part of the month, and the peak power demand jumped to a record high of 256.11 GW last month from 235.32 GW in April 2025. The peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. According to the power ministry, peak power demand may hit 270 GW in the summer of 2026. Last summer, the peak power demand was 242.77 GW, recorded in June 2025, but stayed below the government's estimate of 277 GW. Experts said that power demand and consumption will further increase from May onwards, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected a hars

Coal India's production falls 9.7% in April amid rising power demand

State-owned CIL, the country's largest coal producer, on Friday reported a 9.7 per cent drop in coal production to 56.1 million tonnes (MT) in April, raising concerns over meeting the country's surging energy demands. The slump in coal production is significant as coal remains the backbone of the country's power generation, accounting for over 70 per cent of electricity output. Coal India Ltd (CIL) produced 62.1 MT of coal in April 2025-26. With peak summer demand pushing power consumption to record highs, the production shortfall could strain supplies to thermal plants and industries, potentially leading to higher imported coal costs, the industry leaders said. Coal India's offtake, or sales to customers, also dropped by two per cent to 63.2 MT in April over 64.5 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal, according to the provisional data. Coal India subsidiaries, which recorded a decline in production, include Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL

Solar powers India as electricity demand hits record high of 256 GW

Peak power demand touched 256.11 GW on April 25, with solar generation accounting for nearly 57 GW of supply

Electricity consumption sees slowest growth in years on cooler weather

Energy supplied by state power retailers during the year rose almost 1 per cent, the worst performance since 2021 when electricity use declined due to the pandemic

Heavy coal use, RE growth to insulate India from spike in power tariffs

India's reliance on domestic coal and rapid renewable energy expansion could shield it from global power tariff shocks, even as fuel prices surge amid the West Asia conflict

Govt orders Tata Power's 4 GW Gujarat coal plant to run full-tilt in summer

Move aims to meet peak summer demand, avoid power shortages

India's power capacity may double by 2036, led by non-fossil sources

India's power capacity could more than double by 2036, with Central Electricity Authority projecting 70% share for non-fossil energy sources

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

Transrail Lighting secures orders worth ₹2,350 crore in domestic market

Transrail Lighting on Friday said it has secured new Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) orders worth Rs 2,350 crore in domestic market. The orders were primarily in the domestic Transmission & Distribution (T&D) segment along with a civil order and select wins in poles & lighting. With these additions, the company's cumulative order inflows for FY26 have crossed Rs 7,980 crore, it said in a regulatory filing. "The T&D order includes mainly construction of 765 kV transmission lines, along with contributions from civil and poles & lighting underscore our competitive positioning in the market. These orders take our FY26 inflows beyond Rs 7,980 crore," Transrail Lighting MD & CEO Randeep Narang said. The company also holds lowest bidder position for projects worth over Rs 800 crore and maintains a healthy bidding pipeline across both domestic and international markets, he said. Mumbai-based Transrail is an EPC player in the transmission and ...

India, China reduce electricity emissions growth, offsetting US coal surge

Analysts say clean energy growth in Asia offset increased coal-fired generation in the US, limiting overall emissions growth in 2025

Kshema Power bags order to build substation for 350 MW hybrid project in MP

Chennai-based engineering firm Kshema Power on Thursday said it has secured an order from Oyster Green Hybrid Three Pvt Ltd to develop a 33 kV/220 kV AIS power substation for a 350 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Madhya Pradesh. Together, the two companies will deliver infrastructure that will enhance clean energy evacuation capacity in one of India's fastest-expanding renewable corridors, a company statement said. According to the statement, under the contract, Kshema Power will undertake the supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of a 51-kilometre transmission line, along with the design, engineering, supply, installation, civil works, testing, and commissioning of an AIS substation. The installation will serve as the backbone of power evacuation for Oyster Green Hybrid Three's hybrid project, enabling efficient and reliable integration of wind and solar power into the grid. The project is expected to be completed by July 2026. Abhinand Basant, Deputy Managing Director, Ksh

Power market coupling faces delay, unlikely before December 2027: Report

A J M Financial report says regulatory and procedural hurdles could delay India's proposed power market coupling until late 2027, affecting IEX's market share projections

India's Oct power consumption dips 6% to 132 billion units on mild weather

Power consumption in the country fell by 6 per cent to 132 billion units in October from 140.47 BUs in same month last year, mainly on account of less use of cooling appliances. The October month also saw rains in various parts of the country. The decline in power consumption was attributed to unseasonal rainfall during the month in some parts of the country coupled with onset of winter season, which kept temperatures in check, experts said. The peak power demand met during October was at 210.71 GW, lower from 219.22 GW recorded in October 2024. The 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. However, this summer (April onwards), the record peak power demand was 242.77 GW in June. Experts said the power demand and consumption are likely to be subdued in November as well due to moderation in temperature levels, which would reduce use of cooling appliances.

India's power output growth slows in September as industrial momentum eases

Power output rose 3.2% year-on-year but fell short of August's 4% growth, marking the first monthly drop in three months, according to daily analysis of Grid India data

Tariff hikes, lower costs to cut discom losses to ₹8,000-10,000 crore

CRISIL Ratings expects operating losses of state-owned power discoms to drop to Rs 8,000-10,000 crore in FY25, helped by tariff hikes, lower purchase costs and improved efficiency

Adani Power rated 'Overweight' by Morgan Stanley; 65% upside in bull case

Morgan Stanley assigned a target of ₹818 per share under the base case, an upside of nearly 30 per cent from Thursday's close