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India coal-fired power output falls at fastest pace in five years in May
Increased generation from less polluting power sources including hydro and nuclear also led to a decline in natural gas-fired power output, which fell at the steepest rate in nearly three years, a review of data from the federal power grid regulator Grid India showed.
The decline in demand for fossil fuels for electricity generation in India - the second largest importer of coal and the fourth biggest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) - comes at a time when benchmark prices of the fuels are under pressure.
"Demand from the power sector - typically strong during peak season - remained limited. Additionally, economic headwinds have weighed on non-power industries," Indian coal trader I-Energy said in a note this week.
Asian spot LNG prices have declined more than 15 per cent this year, while benchmark prices of thermal coal have plunged to more than 4-year lows due to weak demand from China and India - the top coal importing countries.
India's coal-fired power generation fell 9.5 per cent in May on an annual basis to 113.3 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a review of data from the federal power grid regulator Grid India showed, marking the sharpest year-on-year decline since June 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown.
A sustained slowdown in demand for fossil fuels for power generation could help the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gases slash emissions after it previously boosted its reliance on coal to power a post-pandemic economic recovery.
India has repeatedly cited lower per capita emissions compared with richer nations to defend its high coal use.
Utilities in China and India have cut dependence on coal and LNG imports this year also due to record coal stocks and slower growth in power demand.
India had forced gas-based power plants to operate last year to meet high power demand as temperatures soared.
As power demand is lower and prices are high for gas-fired power to be competitive with other sources such as solar this year, utilities will buy fewer volumes, said Prashant Vashisth, vice president at Moody's affiliate ICRA.
Total electricity generation in May fell 5.3 per cent year-on-year to 160.4 billion kWh, the data showed, with the highest peak demand about 8 per cent lower on-year at 231 GW, mainly due to milder temperatures, government officials said.
Peak demand - a measure of the maximum electricity requirement over any given time - reached 250 GW during a heatwave in May 2024.
Meanwhile, renewable energy output surged to a record high of 24.7 billion kWh in May, up 17.2 per cent from a year earlier, with its share in the overall power mix rising to 15.4 per cent - the highest since records began in 2018.
The share of coal in India's power mix dropped to 70.7 per cent in May, down from 74.0 per cent a year earlier and the lowest level since June 2022, according to the Grid India data.
Hydropower generation jumped 8.3 per cent to 14.5 billion kWh, accounting for 9.0 per cent of total generation compared to 7.9 per cent in May 2024, the data showed.
Natural gas-fired power generation fell 46.5 per cent annually to 2.78 billion kWh in May, the steepest decline since October 2022.
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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Currency conversion made simple: Tricks for students who hate math
Exchange rates shouldn't require a maths degree to understand. Yet most currency conversion methods throw complicated decimal points and constantly changing numbers at students who simply want quick, practical answers. The reality is that perfect precision rarely matters for everyday student decisions. Whether you're comparing international course fees, budgeting for study abroad programmes, or understanding global economic news, rough estimates work perfectly well and they're far easier to calculate. Why traditional methods fall short Most currency conversion approaches focus on precise calculations using exact exchange rates. While accuracy has its place, this method creates unnecessary complexity for everyday situations. Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, sometimes multiple times per day, making it impractical to memorise exact figures. Additionally, trying to perform precise calculations with numbers like 83.47 or 105.23 in your head often leads to frustration and errors. The solution lies in embracing approximation over precision. For most practical purposes, being within 2–5% of the actual value is perfectly adequate. This approach transforms a complex mathematical exercise into a series of simple mental shortcuts that anyone can master. The foundation: Smart rounding technique The core principle behind effortless currency conversion involves rounding exchange rates to "friendly" numbers that work well with mental arithmetic. Instead of wrestling with the actual USD-INR rate of 83.24, simply use 80 or 85. Rather than struggling with EUR-INR at 90.67, stick to 90 or 100. This rounding strategy serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it eliminates the cognitive load of handling decimal places and odd numbers. Secondly, it creates consistent patterns that become automatic with practice. Finally, it provides a buffer that accommodates daily rate fluctuations without requiring constant updates to your mental reference points. Converting rupees to foreign currencies When converting Indian rupees to foreign currencies, the process involves division by your chosen rounded exchange rate. This mental division becomes surprisingly manageable once you've established your reference numbers. Quick reference rates for mental math: US Dollar (USD): Divide by 80 → 1600 INR ÷ 80 = 20 USD Euro (EUR): Divide by 90 → 2700 INR ÷ 90 = 30 EUR British Pound (GBP): Divide by 100 → 2500 INR ÷ 100 = 25 GBP UAE Dirham (AED): Divide by 25 → 2500 INR ÷ 25 = 100 AED Canadian Dollar (CAD): Divide by 60 → 1200 INR ÷ 60 = 20 CAD Australian Dollar (AUD): Divide by 55–60 → 1650 INR ÷ 55 = 30 AUD For US dollars, dividing by 80 provides a reliable baseline that works consistently across different amounts. European euros follow a similar pattern using 90 as your reference point, while British pounds benefit from the convenient divisor of 100, making mental calculations particularly straightforward. Regional currencies popular among Indian students also follow predictable patterns, with UAE dirhams aligning well with 25 as a reference rate and both Canadian and Australian dollars working comfortably with rates around 55–60. Converting foreign currencies to rupees The reverse process requires converting foreign currencies to rupees. This involves multiplication rather than division. This direction often feels more intuitive since multiplication typically seems less daunting than division. Quick multiplication guide: 20 USD → 20 × 80 = 1600 INR 25 EUR → 25 × 90 = 2250 INR 30 GBP → 30 × 100 = 3000 INR 200 AED → 200 × 25 = 5000 INR 15 CAD → 15 × 60 = 900 INR 25 AUD → 25 × 55 = 1375 INR The beauty of this approach lies in its consistency with the division method used for the opposite conversion. US dollars multiply by 80, European euros by 90, and British pounds by the wonderfully convenient multiplier of 100. For students frequently dealing with Middle Eastern opportunities, UAE dirhams maintain their 25-to-1 relationship with simplified rupee amounts. Meanwhile, both Canadian and Australian dollars preserve their 55–60 range, allowing you to choose the multiplier that feels most comfortable for your mental arithmetic style. Handling complex amounts through decomposition Large or awkward numbers needn't intimidate you when using the decomposition technique. This approach breaks complex amounts into simpler components that align with your mental math comfort zone. Consider converting 7350 INR to US dollars. Rather than attempting 7350 ÷ 80 directly, decompose it into 7200 + 150. The first component becomes 7200 ÷ 80 = 90, while the second becomes 150 ÷ 80 ≈ 2. Combined, you get approximately 92 USD. This technique proves especially valuable when dealing with amounts that don't divide evenly. For 3750 INR to euros (÷90), decompose into 3600 + 150. The calculation becomes 3600 ÷ 90 = 40, plus 150 ÷ 90 ≈ 1.7, totalling approximately 41.7 EUR. Fine-tuning with percentage adjustments Once you've mastered basic conversions, percentage adjustments allow for greater precision without sacrificing simplicity. When market conditions push actual rates significantly above or below your reference numbers, apply quick percentage modifications. Common adjustment scenarios: Rate higher than reference: Add 5–10% to your result Rate lower than reference: Subtract 3–8% from your result Volatile periods: Stick to basic estimates and verify when precision matters For example, if your reference rate of 80 for USD-INR seems low during a period when the actual rate hovers around 85, add approximately 6% to your calculations. Conversely, if rates drop to around 78, subtract about 3% from your initial estimate. The beauty of this approach lies in its flexibility. You can apply percentage adjustments selectively by using them for significant transactions while accepting standard approximations for routine estimates. This maintains the system's simplicity while improving accuracy when it truly matters. Special considerations for popular currencies Japanese yen requires a different approach due to its unique structure. Since one yen equals approximately 0.60 INR, the standard division method becomes impractical. Instead, think in terms of doubling or halving. 100 INR roughly equals 170 yen, while 500 yen approximates 300 INR. Swiss francs and other high-value currencies benefit from reference rates similar to euros but adjusted upward. Norwegian and Swedish kronor align well with rates around 8–10 INR per unit, making them suitable for the decomposition technique. Cryptocurrency conversions, while more volatile, can apply similar principles during stable periods. Bitcoin's high value necessitates working with smaller decimal portions, but the mental math principles remain consistent. Building confidence through practical application The transition from theory to intuitive practice requires consistent application across real-world scenarios. Start by converting prices you encounter daily; international course fees, foreign job postings, or global news figures. This regular practice transforms conscious calculation into automatic estimation. Online shopping provides particularly excellent practice opportunities because you can convert prices before checking actual rates, building confidence while receiving immediate feedback on your accuracy. International news featuring economic figures offers chances to practise with larger amounts, while freelance platforms help you understand the real value of global opportunities. Consider keeping a mental log of your estimates versus actual rates when precision matters. This self-monitoring helps identify patterns in your calculations and areas needing adjustment, ultimately improving both speed and accuracy over time. The key lies in consistent practice and accepting that "close enough" often proves perfectly adequate for practical purposes. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Economic Times
35 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Indian envoy, Brazil's President discuss deepening bilateral strategic partnership, PM Modi's visit
Dinesh Bhatia met Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss strategic ties. Narendra Modi will visit Brazil for the BRICS Summit in Rio. India will assume the BRICS Chairmanship next year. Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Lula in Brasilia. Agreements on renewable energy and security cooperation are expected. Discussions will cover trade, defence, and technology. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Brasilia: India's Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia , presented credentials to Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discussed deepening of bilateral strategic partnership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Brazil. PM Modi is travelling to Brazil at the invitation of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This will be the Prime Minister's fourth visit to Brazil. The 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Brazil stated, "Amb @dineshbhatia presented credentials to President @LulaOficial and discussed deepening of bilateral Strategic Partnership as well as PM @narendramodi's upcoming participation in BRICS Summit, followed by State Visit to Brazil." Bhatia met Brazil's Minister of Defence, Jose Mucio, and discussed the broadening of bilateral cooperation between the two nations."Amb @dineshbhatia met Jose Mucio, Minister of @DefesaGovBr and discussed broadening of India-Brazil Defence cooperation to realise its untapped potential," the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on a special briefing on the Prime Minister's visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations), Dammu Ravi said, "The 17th BRICS Summit is taking place on July 5 and July 6 in Rio, Brazil."India is set to take over the BRICS Chairmanship at the Brazil Summit next year."The theme of the Rio Summit is 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance'... India will be holding the chair of the BRICS next year..." Secretary Ravi said."Our Prime Minister will arrive on the July 5, but the main programme is on July 5. As you know, the format is very clear - there are full members, which are 10; there are about 12 partner countries; there are 8 invitee countries that are heads of state at the government level; seven heads of regional and multilateral bodies," he the Summit, PM Modi will exchange views on key global issues, including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and economic and financial the detailed schedule for the Rio summit, MEA Secretary Ravi said the first agenda item for the programme on July 5 includes reform of global governance, where only the full members will participate."Thereafter, there is the second theme on the agenda, which is peace and security -- it is in the working lunch format where the leaders will discuss the agenda item, and all of this will be captured in the leaders' statement, which will be seen as deliverables," he MEA Secretary said, "Post-lunch, the third item on the agenda is strengthening multilateralism, economic and financial affairs, and artificial intelligence. Later that evening will be an official reception, and all the leaders will be participating.""The next day, on July 6, the fourth item of the agenda is environment, COP 30, and global health. As you are aware, Brazil will also be hosting COP 30 later in the year in November, which is why climate and COP issues become very important," he the Summit's expected outcomes, Ravi said, "The BRICS process is led by the chair, and they set the agenda. But the decisions are on a consensus-based format. We are hopeful that there will be four deliverables, although discussions are still continuing: the leaders' declaration, the leaders' statement on global governance and artificial intelligence, the leaders' framework declaration on climate finance, and BRICS participation for the elimination of diseases."He said, "There will also be, in addition, four reports that will be submitted to the leaders."Focusing on the bilateral engagements during the visit of PM Modi, MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran said, "The BRICS Summit segment of the Prime Minister's visit will be on July 5-6, and the State visit segment will be on July 8... During the State visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with President Lula. Bilateral agreements will be signed on renewable energy, agricultural research, and security cooperation. Prime Minister Modi is visiting Argentina on July 4 on an official visit. Both leaders will hold talks on economic and trade interests to further strengthen bilateral relations."In addition to attending the BRICS sessions, the Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the the State Visit to Brazil, PM Modi will travel to Brasilia, where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Lula on expanding the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health, and people-to-people linkages.
The Print
35 minutes ago
- The Print
India needs foreign parts for Tejas. Defence atmanirbharta can't become a weakness
India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence aviation, especially in the field of domestic jet fighter production, is a saga of ambition and innovation. It is also a tale of bureaucratic bungling, lack of accountability, and the absence of inter-department coordination. We tend to make the same mistakes over and over again. Surprisingly, the A tmanirbharta Ayatollahs of social media, otherwise quick to assign monikers like 'Import Bahadur' to any veteran or journalist who makes the case for importing necessary tech until we can make it domestically, have been silent on the decision. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's decision not to equip the Tejas Mk1A aircraft with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite—made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation—preferring instead the Israeli ELTA systems, has sparked significant debate. For the domestic defence industry, the template remains unchanged: overpromise, underdeliver, blame the delays on external factors, and then accuse the forces of not being supportive of domestic programmes. Different aircraft, same story India was the first Asian country to domestically design and produce a modern jet fighter aircraft. On 24 June 1961, HF-24 Marut undertook its first flight; barely five years after the programme approval and only 14 years after Independence. It was a tremendous achievement. However, what could have been a stupendous base for the development of India's domestic defence aviation industry fizzled out in a damp squib. In 2025, we find ourselves at the cusp of greatness again, in the form of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme. The challenges remain the same: financial, technological, institutional, and political. And we're repeating some of the old mistakes. Both HF-24 Marut and the Tejas—its modern successor—aimed to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) with homegrown combat aircraft. Despite great potential, the former failed to deliver, and the latter is muddling along. Also read: Pakistan suffers violence of its own making. West's refusal to learn is even more tragic Marut vs Tejas The HF-24 Marut, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was a pivotal achievement. A relatively poor Asian country had pulled off an engineering miracle. Led by German designer Kurt Tank and later Dr Raj Mahindra, it was an ambitious programme. Incidentally, Tank was the lead designer of the legendary Focke-Wulf 190, the German single-engine fighter of World War 2. India's recruitment of Tank in the 1950s was a strategic effort driven by Prime Minister Nehru and shepherded by defence minister VK Krishna Menon. At the time, Tank was working on the design of the FMA IAe 33 Pulqui II, one of Latin America's first jet fighters. But political instability and economic challenges under Juan Perón's regime made Tank consider other opportunities. India capitalised on the development, offering him a stable job and an ambitious project. The IAF's air staff quality requirements (ASQR) were ambitious too. It wanted Marut to achieve 1.5 Mach initially and 2 Mach eventually. It was intended to be a supersonic, multi-role fighter for ground attack as well as air superiority roles, with a combat radius of at least 500 miles. The programme tasted initial success, and the first production aircraft was delivered to the IAF on 1 April 1967. The first challenge was also felt early on, as it was observed that the aircraft was grossly underpowered. The Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 703 engine could provide only 4,850 lbs of thrust, barely adequate to reach 0.95 Mach, well below the intended target. The aircraft could not achieve supersonic speed. This deficiency in the engine was well known, but it happened to be the only one readily available. Orpheus 703 was also used in the British aircraft Folland Gnat and was being license-produced by HAL in India. Tank was not happy with this selection and reluctantly agreed to its use as an interim solution due to India's limited technological and financial resources. Tank wanted an uprated Bristol BOr12 Orpheus afterburning turbojet engine that could produce 8,150 lbs of thrust, to power his twin-engine, swept-wing fighter. Unfortunately, New Delhi was unwilling to invest £13 million in the customised engine. Alternatives were few and far between. Engine options from Russia, the US, Britain, and even Egypt were considered, but the geopolitical situation for India at the time was precarious. The recent war with China, disappointment from the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), increasing differences with the US, and growing closeness to the USSR—all these developments played a role. The options were unsuitable either financially, technically or geopolitically. Eventually, IAF was forced to make do with a non-afterburning Orpheus 703 engine on the HF 24. By the time it entered service in 1967, Marut was considered close to obsolescence. It could not keep up with supersonic fighters of that era—Indian MiG-21s or Pakistani F-104 Starfighters. The IAF shelved plans for upgrading Marut with radar and air-to-air missile capabilities, and relegated the jet to ground attack roles. Proposals for advanced variants like the HF-71 and HF-72 were abandoned, and the programme ended in the 1980s after producing only 147 aircraft. In comparison, the LCA Tejas has had a long timeline from conception to deployment. Initiated in 1983, the programme achieved its first flight only in January 2001. It took another 18 years to achieve Final Operational Clearance (FOC). The first squadron was raised on 27 May 2020 with only four serial production FOC aircraft. So far, 38 aircraft have been delivered to the IAF, out of the 83 on order. Plans for an additional 97 Mk1A/B and nearly 200 LCA Mk2 are at various stages of approvals. The first batch of LCA Mk1A was to be delivered to the IAF in March 2024; none has been delivered to date. Also read: Trump has driven up NATO's defence spending. Why that's good for India Achilles' heel Like the Marut, the aeroengine is proving to be the Achilles' heel for LCA. For the Marut, several engine options were explored by HAL. Besides evaluating the Soviet-made Klimov K-7 and RD-9F engines, the option to collaborate with Egypt on the development of the EL-300 engine was also considered. The Soviet engines were found incompatible with the Marut's airframe, and Egypt gave up on EL-300 after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The proposal from Rolls-Royce to further develop the Orpheus for the Marut was rejected by the Indian government, likely due to cost and political considerations. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, was also tasked with enhancing the performance of the Orpheus 703 engine. The GTRE attempted to build an afterburning (reheated) version of the Orpheus 703. However, the programme failed to deliver the desired outcomes. On similar lines, the Tejas was intended to be powered by the indigenous Kaveri engine, but its development faced setbacks. Unable to meet performance targets of weight and thrust, the Kaveri was sidelined in favour of imported engines. The GE F404 engine, meant only as a stopgap arrangement for the early variants, has now become the mainstay. At the moment, India is incapable of avoiding reliance on foreign engines. Supply delays from GE are causing inordinate delays in the production of LCA Mk1A. Hopefully, lessons will be learned and HAL will secure the supplies of GE 404 and GE 414 engines in sufficient numbers for the upcoming production targets. Another issue that raises questions on our ability to absorb technology has been in the field of engine manufacturing. Despite license-producing various jet engines such as Orpheus 703, Tumansky R-25, Rolls-Royce Adour, AL-31FP, and AL-55I, we have not been able to master the technology adequately enough to fix the flaws in Kaveri. Also read: Chinese J-20 isn't just a fighter jet—it's a signal to US, Japan and India Operational performance Despite bad programme management, both Tejas and Marut turned out to be reasonably good in operations. The HF-24 Marut was operational in three IAF squadrons in 1971: Number 10 (Winged Daggers), 31 (Lions), and 220 (Desert Tigers). These squadrons saw significant action during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, flying about 200 missions. Three aircraft were lost in the air, and one was lost on the ground. Squadron Leader KK Bakshi, while flying a Marut, shot down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre on 7 December. Marut was much liked by the pilots, as it had a spacious and well-laid-out cockpit, and was easy to handle at low levels. Since it was built tough, it could survive several hits from ground fire. On account of two engines with redundant systems, it also had better survivability against bird ingestion and system failure. The details of LCA's performance in Operation Sindoor are not available in the open domain. However, Tejas has consistently performed well in air exercises like Gagan Shakti, fire power demonstrations, Akraman, Trishul, and so on. The most stellar thing about LCA Tejas has been its flight safety record in the development phase. It did not suffer even a single catastrophic failure in the testing and development phase, which is unheard of in the case of a single-engine fighter programme anywhere in the world. Also read: Asim Munir is playing good jihadi-bad jihadi game. Suicide bombing shows he's failing IAF's role The IAF is often accused of lacking enthusiasm for domestic programmes and placing greater reliance on imported equipment. This presumption stems from ignorance about how the IAF draws out its ASQRs and how the defence ministry sanctions capital procurements. The IAF lists out quality requirements (QRs) based on existing and evolving aerial threats. On the other hand, the decision about whether to procure particular equipment (or not) is made by the government. Whether to source this equipment from the local market or procure it globally is another decision the government makes. It has the final say on ASQRs as well, and has the right to modify QRs to enable domestic industry participation. Once the equipment and vendor are finalised, the quantity and the delivery dates are inked in the contract. The threats are not static, and the enemy has a vote. As the delivery timelines slip by, the threats evolve on account of the emergence of new technology and new acquisitions by the adversary. The IAF would want the equipment to be the latest on the day it is fielded in an operational unit and not on the day it was ordered. The threat is not static—the ASQR shouldn't be either. The Marut faced deficiencies in operational performance due to engine issues, while the Tejas took nearly 20 years from first flight to the FOC. For the Marut, the IAF's initial excitement waned due to its subsonic performance and engine limitations, leading to a preference for the Jaguar. Tejas faces similar IAF scepticism, with concerns about its performance, delivery delays, and the reliance on foreign components. There is also a growing concern that with China making great progress in the field of aeroengines, aerial weapons, and fighter aircraft development, future variants of Tejas could be obsolete even before they enter squadron service. China, the primary adversary for India, has fielded two variants of fifth-generation fighters, J-20 and J-35. It also has reportedly fast-tracked sixth-generation fighters such as J-36 and J-50. There are reports that Pakistan will soon be receiving J-35 fighters from China. In that environment, Tejas Mk1A and Tejas Mk2, which are 4.5 generation aircraft and are yet to enter squadron service in the IAF, would find it difficult to hold ground in an aerial encounter. The threats are evolving rapidly, so the demands from the services would evolve too. It would be foolhardy to assume that the IAF would not revise ASQRs as the deliveries are delayed and newer, more potent threats emerge. The bottom line remains unchanged. The onus of equipping the IAF and other services is on the government. Delays cause capability degradation, therefore the government must seek accountability from weapon suppliers, whether foreign or domestic. Atmanirbharta is our strength—it should not be allowed to become our vulnerability. Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat is a retired IAF fighter pilot. He tweets @Ahlawat2012. Views are personal. (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
