Power Demand To Rise Up To Six Per Cent This Year: Crisil

16 Apr 2026 CW Team

Crisil Intelligence projected that power demand will rise five point five to six point five per cent year on year in fiscal 2027, reaching 1,815 to 1,825 billion units (bn units) as El Nino conditions expected from July raise cooling needs. The agency cited higher temperatures, lower rainfall, steady economic growth and a low base of comparison. The outlook places the rise in demand at around six per cent for the current financial year.

Consumption in March stood at 149 bn units, up from 147 bn units a year earlier and the highest March level since at least 2010. Real time electricity market volumes in March rose 41.7 per cent year on year to 5,283 million units (mn units) from 3,727 mn units. Despite higher volumes, the average market clearing price in the real time market fell 10 per cent year on year to Rs 3.71 per unit, indicating ample system availability.

On the supply side, generation in March rose one point eight per cent year on year to 163 bn units, with all major fuels except gas recording gains. Renewable generation was supported by capacity additions after the country added 50.9 gigawatts of renewable capacity including small hydro in fiscal 2026. Coal based output edged up around zero point four per cent year on year and its share rose to 73 per cent in March from the fiscal 2026 average of 68 per cent.

Hydro and nuclear generation grew 13.8 per cent and eight point three per cent year on year respectively. The report said that rising temperatures and weather related factors, along with steady economic growth, are likely to support higher electricity consumption in the current financial year. Policymakers and utilities will need to balance demand growth with further renewable additions and system flexibility. The market outlook therefore points to a demand led recovery moderated by evolving supply dynamics.

Infrastructure Energy

16 Apr 2026

Power Mech Enters Urban Mobility With Rs 2.96 bn Mumbai Monorail Contract

Power Mech said it has secured a contract worth Rs 2.96 billion (Rs 2.96 bn) to deliver work on the Mumbai Monorail, marking the company's formal entry into urban mobility. The award was described as a significant contract for the firm and follows its focus on infrastructure projects. Shares of the company rose on the announcement as investors reacted to the new order. The contract will expand Power Mech's engineering and construction portfolio into urban transit systems and provides the company with exposure to the fast growing urban mobility segment in metropolitan areas. The work is expecte..

Yogi Orders Expert Panel On Smart Meter Overbilling

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister ordered the formation of an expert panel to investigate widespread complaints of overbilling linked to newly installed smart meters. The panel was instructed to review meter data, examine installation practices and identify technical or procedural causes behind discrepancies in consumer bills. The state energy department was asked to prioritise the inquiry and to coordinate with distribution companies to ensure rapid access to required records and equipment. The committee was directed to conduct technical audits of meters and to establish whether faults, calibr..

Power Firms Seek Relaxation Of HERC Fuel Surcharge Rules

Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) have approached the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) seeking relaxation of rules that govern recovery of fuel and power purchase costs. The distribution companies have filed petitions proposing amendments to Regulation sixty eight of the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) Regulations, 2024 for financial year 2025-26, and have asked the regulator to consider alternative recovery mechanisms to the current monthly arrangement. Under the existing framework, additional costs arising from fuel and power purc..