The bidding frenzy for coal-bed methane blocks heats up as Reliance Industries and the Essar Group step into the ring. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons has put 16 blocks up for grabs in two competitive rounds, attracting the attention of Oil India while ONGC chooses to withdraw.
Kugelman’s remarks come after Russian President reaffirmed Russia’s long-standing energy partnership with India, declaring that Moscow will remain a steady, uninterrupted supplier to New Delhi’s fast-growing economy, during his joint press address with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian refiners may face setbacks due to the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, which bans imports of refined products made from Russian crude via third countries. Indian exports to the EU, worth $14.3 billion in FY25, are at risk. The sanctions also lower the crude oil price cap and restrict transport services, limiting market…
Asian nations are receiving more crude oil from the United States. However, these increased shipments cannot fully replace oil lost due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This situation is creating supply challenges for refineries. Experts believe prices for refined fuels may rise. Less developed countries in Asia could face the impact first.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas asserts that E20 fuel enhances acceleration and reduces carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to E10, with minimal impact on mileage. Dismissing concerns about insurance validity, the ministry highlights the program’s benefits, including reduced crude oil imports, increased farmer incomes, and significant CO₂ emission reductions.
The government is planning to boost local manufacturing of critical power transmission equipment, especially for HVDC lines, through stakeholder discussions and initiatives like technology acquisition. This move, spurred by the FY26 budget’s clean tech focus, aims to strengthen the supply chain, increase domestic value addition, and support the expansion of power transmission infrastructure for renewable…
India anticipates no power supply disruptions despite the West Asia crisis affecting some gas-based generation. Alternative capacity is being prepared to meet peak demand. The government is also set to restart Tata Power’s 4,000 MW Mundra plant, which uses imported coal, under Section 11 of the Electricity Act.
India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projects coal-based power will remain crucial for base load management in the medium term, despite strong renewable capacity additions. Thermal capacity additions are expected to accelerate in FY26, driven by demand expectations. Ind-Ra maintains a stable outlook for thermal, solar, and wind power projects, citing healthy performance and payment trends.
India’s aggressive ethanol blending program, aimed at reducing crude oil imports, is raising concerns for vehicle owners. Vehicles designed for E10 fuel may experience a 1-2% drop in mileage with E20 blends, impacting millions manufactured between 2012 and March 2023. Automakers are urging tax incentives to offset this, while the government signals further intensification of…