BUSINESS
Imported 'blue wafers' banned from solar panels used in government projects to nudge make in India
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has ordered that only black wafer, which is the base material for making a solar cell, is allowed to be imported into India. Government wants the process of turning it into a blue wafer to be carried out in India.
BUSINESS
Government scouts for CMDs for India's biggest power sector firms
The appointments will come at a time when India is pulling out all the stops to meet its growing power demand with focus on renewable and nuclear energy
BUSINESS
Govt looking to boost solar cell component manufacturing after industry flags import concerns
For now, the government may focus on wafers and ingots while allowing polysilicon to be imported, as India doesn’t have the capacity to produce the ultra-refined material
BUSINESS
Centre may extend March 2026 deadline to install 25 crore smart meters
Only half of India’s 36 states and union territories have initiated smart meter installations so far. A government official said smart meters being a new concept, there were delays in issue of tenders and establishment of direct debit facility.
BUSINESS
Centre takes foot off the pedal to cap gas-based power in future electricity mix
Power generated through gas-based stations is priced around Rs 13-14 per unit, much higher than what renewable or coal-fired power costs. Aside of that, the difficulty in procuring gas is another reason for Centre to throttle down gas-based power.
BUSINESS
Acme Solar wants to invest in nuclear energy, says CEO Nikhil Dhingra
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget for FY26 announced a National Nuclear Energy Mission, calling for private participation in the nuclear power sector
BUSINESS
India to get its first carbon market by mid-2026
The government will soon announce emissions intensity trajectory for nine 'hard-to-abate' sectors, which will have to be achieved in a staggered manner
BUSINESS
Power play: Govt unlikely to ask thermal plants to blend imported coal this summer
This will be the first time in more than three years when the government will not impose such a mandate on domestic coal based power plants. The coal ministry has enough stock for power plants
BUSINESS
Nuclear Power: How NTPC may steal a march over its competitors
NTPC is currently in talks with six-seven states for land to build nuclear power plants. The PSU will build both small and conventional reactors.
BUSINESS
India's peak power demand may hit 270 GW this summer: Minister for Power ML Khattar
Coal-fired power is going to continue to do the heavy lifting by meeting 70-74% of the peak demand this summer. Like last year, the government plans to use state-run gas-based plants too, for which it has issued a tender to procure 1,800 MW of gas-based power. Besides, coal stocks at thermal power plants are at 51 million tons that would last for more than 21 days.
POLITICS
Mission Clean Yamuna: Can Delhi CM Rekha Gupta fulfil her party's promise?
Hours after taking oath as Delhi’s chief minister and before her first cabinet meeting, Rekha Gupta headed to a Yamuna ghat to perform an 'aarti' with her cabinet colleagues, sending a clear signal that rejuvenating the toxic river will be a top priority for the BJP. The party has come to power in the national capital after 27 years.
BUSINESS
NHPC to add 2,170 MW, commission India's largest hydro project in FY26: CMD Raj Kumar Chaudhary
The much delayed 2,000 MW Subansiri hydropower plant in Arunachal Pradesh, which will be the largest in India, will be fully commissioned by May 2026, Chaudhary said.
BUSINESS
Power Grid raises capex to Rs 23,000 crore citing soaring electricity demand
For FY26, the capex will be in the range of about Rs 28,000-30,000 crore, up from Rs 20,000 crore as previously planned. For FY27, the Capex will be Rs 35,000 crore, instead of Rs 20,000 crore.
TRENDS
Explained: How President Trump can help fuel India’s nuclear power dream
Post Modi-Trump meet, India and the US will work towards a more detailed bilateral agreement for nuclear reactors, after the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) is amended in the Parliament, senior government officials told Moneycontrol.
BUSINESS
Compressed CO2 may be the answer to affordable long-term renewable energy storage: NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh
Unlike BESS, compressed CO2 energy storage systems do not need critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt. CESS uses only water, steel, and CO2. They also have a long life of at least 25 years.
BUSINESS
Exclusive | India-Bhutan renew talks for hydropower project
Raj Kumar Chaudhary, CMD, NHPC Ltd told Moneycontrol that other than its operational hydropower capacity of 6,571 MW, the company has an additional 9,314 MW of hydro capacities under construction.
BUSINESS
Coal India subsidiaries BCCL, CMPDI's IPOs likely in FY26
Coal secretary Vikram Dev Dutt has said the government is hopeful of the listings in the new fiscal and the work is on schedule
BUSINESS
Will supply 906 million tonnes of coal to power sector in FY26: Coal Ministry
Union minister for coal and mines G Kishan Reddy said the ministry is also working on the plans for smooth supply and transportation of coal. Between April and November 2024, coal imports declined by 5.35 percent, saving approximately $3.91 billion (Rs 30,007.26 crore). Notably, coal imports for domestic power plant blending fell by 23.56 percent, he said.
BUSINESS
RBI rate cut will boost power demand, increase investments in energy projects
The repo rate cut is expected to boost India’s power demand, besides making it easier for power companies to finance new renewable energy projects. It could also mean improved financial health of distribution companies (discoms).
BUSINESS
US’ change in climate change policy won’t affect India’s energy transition journey: ReNew’s Sumant Sinha
Sinha said the Union Budget for FY26 aims to achieve high-impact growth while keeping the fiscal deficit within the 4.4 percent target, ensuring macroeconomic stability
BUSINESS
MC Exclusive | Have shortlisted six locations for nuclear power projects: Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha
Sinha said the push for nuclear energy and the increased outlay for PM Surya Ghar in the budget have come at the right time in India’s energy transition journey. When asked about the impact of the policies of the new government in the US, he said India’s energy transition will continue despite global uncertainties, driven by strong power demand.
BUSINESS
Tata Power Q3 net profit rises 10% to Rs 1,188 crore
The Q3 consolidated revenue of the Tata Group company increased by 3 percent to Rs 15,793 crore
BUSINESS
Power Grid Q3 net profit declines 4% to Rs 3,862 crore
The company's revenue from operations increased 3 percent to Rs 11,550 crore as against Rs 11,233 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal.
TRENDS
Union Budget raises Ayushman Bharat allocation for next fiscal by 24% to Rs 9,406 crore
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said that gig workers will be provided healthcare under the government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme.
