Industry news
The draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 has been submitted to the Union Cabinet for inter-ministerial discussion. The policy aims to ensure a reliable and quality power supply, meet peak demand, and achieve financial viability for the electricity sector. It also addresses the development of domestic chip manufacturing for smart meters to enhance the value chain.
Tamil Nadu officials are addressing power supply challenges, including aging equipment and grid congestion, while planning for increased demand by summer 2027. Measures include infrastructure upgrades and enhanced consumer services.
NTPC, India's largest power generation company, has distributed a final dividend of ₹3,393.83 crore to its shareholders for the fiscal year 2026, bringing the total dividend for the year to ₹8,727 crore.
Several power sector companies, including Diamond Power Infrastructure Ltd, Divine Power Energy Ltd, V-Marc India Ltd, Modison Ltd, and Modern Insulators Ltd, have demonstrated substantial growth in 2026, with share price increases exceeding 100%. These companies have also secured new orders and expanded manufacturing capabilities, indicating active supply chain developments within the power industry.
Orient Cables (India) Ltd is set to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) valued at ₹552 crore, with public subscription opening on September 25 and closing on September 29. The IPO aims to fund capital expenditures, including machinery and equipment purchases, and to repay certain borrowings.
Caparo Power Limited is expanding its gas-based group captive power business, driven by increasing demand from industrial manufacturers and data centers. The company plans to replicate its Bawal model in other Indian industrial clusters, focusing on northern and western regions. This expansion aims to meet the need for reliable, dispatchable power while navigating fuel price volatility and evolving sustainability requirements.
Nuward, a subsidiary of EDF Group, is advancing its small modular reactor (SMR) design with plans for a series of 10 units across five European countries. The project aims for commercialization by 2029, with construction starting in 2030 and initial production by 2035. This initiative aligns with the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, which seeks to accelerate SMR deployment in Europe to achieve 17-53 GW capacity by 2050.
Framatome recently presented on strategies for modernizing safety instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, covering both analog and digital technologies, during an American Nuclear Society Supplier Showcase webinar.
Tata Steel is in discussions with the UK government regarding delays in securing power supply for its 1.25 billion pound electric arc furnace (EAF) project at Port Talbot. The project, which includes 500 million pounds in government support, aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Power distribution licensees in India are facing challenges in power procurement, with day-ahead markets frequently hitting price ceilings. Despite existing guidelines requiring long-term planning, many utilities rely on short-term market purchases, leading to high costs and supply shortfalls.
UltraTech Cement's new venture, Ultravolt, is entering India's wires and cables market, raising concerns about increased competition and potential impacts on market share and profitability for established players. Ultravolt brings a nationwide distribution network and significant financial resources, aiming to become a top-tier player within five years.
India is rapidly expanding its nuclear energy generation capacity, as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This expansion is part of a broader clean energy initiative that includes significant growth in solar, wind, and hydro power. Despite debates surrounding nuclear projects, the government is committed to increasing its nuclear energy footprint.