Latest news with #Discoms
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bihar seeks Centre's nod for Rs 617 cr power infra upgrade, 2000 MW battery storage
Patna: The state govt presented several key proposals to Union energy minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the 5th regional conference of eastern region energy ministers in Patna on Tuesday to further boost the state's power infrastructure. Among the major demands was the approval of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for a 2000 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project to support grid stability and renewable integration. The state also sought approval of the revised detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs 617.73 crore for Scada-based real-time monitoring of power substations in Patna and other identified urban areas and rural regions. Implementation of this project will enable both Discoms to monitor all 33 KV and 11 KV feeders across Bihar from the central Scada centre in Patna, ensuring timely intervention and improved maintenance of power infrastructure, a press statement from state energy department stated. You Can Also Check: Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna The state govt also requested the Centre for immediate allocation of its 40.46% share (206 MW) of electricity from Bhutan's hydropower project, as notified by the ministry of power in Dec 2024 and June 2025, to be facilitated through NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam. Further, the state raised concerns over limited allocation of hydropower from the central PSUs. Despite giving consent to procure 3,926 MW from projects operated by NHPC, SJVN, THDC, and NEEPCO, Bihar currently receives only 159 MW. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The state requested additional joint allocation of 1,426 MW from upcoming projects like Kala HE, Tato I, and Arun III HEPs. Regarding a nuclear project in the state, it said NTPC teams have already surveyed potential sites in Banka (Badua Bagh) and are scheduled to visit Siwan. Another important proposal included the "islanding" of Patna city through the Nabinagar Power Generating Station, which has been technically identified as suitable for the purpose. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 9.79 crore and it includes supply, construction, commissioning, and minor civil works. This project should be funded through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF), it added.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP power employees to launch Jail Bharo Andolan against discom privatisation
A statewide mass movement and 'jail bharo andolan' will be launched in Uttar Pradesh the moment tenders are issued for the privatisation of Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal power distribution companies (Discoms). For representation only The decision was taken unanimously at a 'Bijli Mahapanchayat' convened under the banner of the Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, UP, where leaders from electricity employees' unions, railway federations, state employee associations, farmers' groups, and consumer organisations pledged joint resistance against the proposed move. Railway union leader Shiv Gopal Mishra warned that if privatisation is imposed, railway workers across India would stand in solidarity with electricity employees and join them in court arrests. Farmer leader Darshan Pal and Transparency International's Ramanath Jha, addressing the gathering virtually, also extended their full support. Several state employees' associations, engineers' groups, and teachers' unions declared solidarity with the agitation. The Mahapanchayat announced a nationwide protest on July 2, followed by a one-day symbolic strike on July 9, involving 27 lakh power sector employees. 'If tenders are floated, we will launch an indefinite work boycott and a Jail Bharo andolan in UP with full support from farmers and consumers,' said Sangharsh Samiti convenor Shailendra Dubey. Speakers at the event described the privatisation of power utilities as a threat to national security, citing the example of Operation Sindoor in Jammu & Kashmir, during which uninterrupted power supply was maintained despite drone attacks, thanks to government-managed electricity services. Alleging large-scale corruption behind the privatisation push, they demanded a CBI probe into alleged irregularities involving power sector transactions and officials. The gathering also pointed to failed privatisation efforts in Agra and other cities, claiming that Torrent Power alone defaulted on payments of ₹ 2,200 crore in Agra. Speakers warned that the extension of this 'failed model' to Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal would adversely affect poor and middle-class consumers across 42 districts. The Mahapanchayat resolved to continue the agitation until the privatisation proposal is withdrawn, warning that any attempt to suppress the movement would trigger widespread protests across the state.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
India set for electricity futures trading as NSE becomes 2nd exchange to get nod
India's National Stock Exchange on Wednesday became the second exchange in a week to secure regulatory approval to launch electricity futures contracts, a move experts say could help struggling power utilities improve their finances. The Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) received a similar approval last week from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). A futures contract will allow the purchaser to secure power at a fixed price at a later time. Currently, Indian utilities rely heavily on long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) spanning up to 25 years for baseload requirements, supplemented with short-term purchases through power exchanges for peak demand. Distribution companies (discoms) in India owed about $9.5 billion in unpaid dues, according to the government, driven by expensive long-term power purchases, subsidised supply, and electricity losses due to poor infrastructure. 'There is clearly an incentive from now on to not lock yourself into a 25-year contract and rather look at shorter terms,' said Ashutosh Padelkar, Senior Associate at Aurora Energy Research. Globally, power derivatives are traded on CME Group, Euronext, the Intercontinental Exchange and European Energy Exchange, among others. 'Discoms will gain the ability to use forward curves to plan procurement more dynamically… This can help optimize costs, avoid overcontracting, and improve demand forecasting,' said Sanjeev Aggarwal, chairman of Hexa Climate Solutions. A forward price curve helps in predicting the expected electricity price in the future. Discoms currently sell solar surplus at low daytime prices, but can now use derivatives to sell at pre-agreed higher rates during that period. They can also buy electricity at lower prices during non-solar hours using the contracts, when spot prices typically surge. Even power producers can hedge by taking opposite positions in the derivative markets using the forward price curve, said Aditya Malpani, a senior director at power producer AMPIN Energy Transition.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Spot electricity prices declined substantially in May, amid reduced demand: Indian Energy Exchange
Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), a leading electricity exchange platform, said spot prices declined substantially in May, amid reduced electricity demand driven by unseasonal rains and the early onset of the monsoon The Market Clearing Price in the Day Ahead Market (DAM) at ₹4.12/unit during May 2025, declined 22% year-on-year. Similarly, the Market Clearing Price in the Real Time Market (RTM) at ₹3.43/unit during May 2025, declined 28% year-on-year, IEX said in a statement. According to government data published in May 2025, the country's energy consumption stood at 148.7 billion units (BUs), marking a 4% decline compared to the previous year, it said. Also Read | Heatwaves drove 1/3rd of rise in India's power demand during 2024 summer: Report Unseasonal rains and the early onset of the monsoon kept temperatures lower than usual, leading to reduced electricity demand. Concurrently, increased hydro, wind, and thermal generation resulted in higher supply liquidity on the exchange platform which led to a substantial drop in DAM and RTM prices, IEX said. These prices presented an opportunity for Discoms and Commercial & Industrial consumers to meet their demand at a competitive price and to replace their costlier power by procuring through exchanges, it said. DAM volumes declined 20% to 3,510 million units (MU) in May 2025 from 4,371 MU in May 2024, while RTM reported the highest ever monthly traded volume. RTM volumes increased 42% to 4,770 MU in May 2025 from 3,352 MU in May 2024. Spot power prices in India dropped to zero on May 25 from 8AM to 1PM for the first time on May 25, amid weak demand, IIFL Capital said in a recent report Only 7% of India's electricity generation is traded through three power exchanges.
Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IEX achieves 14% YoY growth in electricity traded volume in May'25
Indian Energy Exchange achieved monthly electricity traded volume of 10,946 MU in May'25, marking a 14% increase on year-on-year basis. A total of 17.43lakh Renewable Energy Certificates were traded during the month, marking a 65% year on year increase. According to government data published in May 2025, the country's energy consumption stood at 148.7 BUs, marking a 4% decline compared to the previous year. Unseasonal rains and the early onset of the monsoon kept temperatures lower than usual, leading to reduced electricity demand. Concurrently, increased hydro, wind, and thermal generation resulted in higher supply liquidity on the exchange platform which led to a substantial drop in DAM and RTM prices. The Market Clearing Price in the Day Ahead Market at Rs 4.12/unit during May 2025, declined 22% year-on-year. Similarly, the Market clearing price in the Real Time Market at Rs 3.43/unit during May 2025, declined 28% year-on-year. These prices presented an opportunity for Discoms and Commercial & Industrial consumers to meet their demand at a competitive price and to replace their costlier power by procuring through exchanges. ELECTRICITY MARKET: DAY- AHEAD, TERM- AHEAD & REAL-TIME MARKET The Day-Ahead Market (DAM) achieved 3,510 MU volume in May'25 as compared to 4,371 MU volume in May'24, decline of 20% YoY. The Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) reported highest ever monthly traded volume in May'25. The RTM volume increased to 4,770 MU in May'25, from 3,352 MU in May'24, registering an increase of 42% YoY. Day Ahead Contingency and Term-Ahead Market (TAM), comprising of contingency, daily & weekly and monthly contracts up to 3 months, traded 1,684 MU in May'25 as compared to 1,221 MU volume in May'24, an increase of 38%YoY. GREEN MARKET: GREEN DAY-AHEAD & GREEN TERM-AHEAD MARKET IEX Green Market, comprising the Green Day-Ahead and Green Term-Ahead Market segments, achieved 915 MU volume during May'25 as compared to 622 MU in May'24, registering an increase of 47 % YoY. The weighted average price in Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM) for May'25 was Rs 3.59/unit. A total of 17.43 lakh RECs were traded in the trading sessions held on 14th May'25 and 28th May'25, at a clearing price of Rs.345/REC and Rs. 349/REC respectively. REC traded volume in May'25 increased by 65% on YoY basis.
