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					</table>The government has begun invoking emergency powers under Section 11 of the Electricity Act to direct coal-based thermal power plants to increase generation, given the prevailing demand-supply situation and the expected rise in power demand in the coming months.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Power (<a href="https://powermin.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MoP</a>) directed Coastal Power Gujarat, a Tata Power-owned company, to generate power at full capacity from April 1 to June 30, 2026. The 4 GW plant in Mundra uses imported coal to generate power, but it had ceased operations last year.
The plant has now executed supplementary power purchase agreements with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam, and with Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
The MoP also directed the plant to maintain coal stock as per the existing to ensure it operates at full capacity. The plant must submit a weekly report to MoP for the generation and sale of power. Non-compliance with the directions will attract penalties.
It also said Section 11 may also be extended to other power plants if the need arises.
The directive comes amid rising power demand in the country. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cea-projects-indias-peak-power-demand-to-reach-459-gw-by-2035-36" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projected</a> a peak power demand of 289 GW for the financial year 2026-27. In January, the peak power demand touched 245 GW. India met a peak demand of 242.49 GW in FY 2025-26.
The authorities maintain that there will be no power shortage in the coming months, but the government’s preparedness to meet demand will be tested. Temperatures in many parts of the country were 4-12 degrees above average in March. The Met Department had earlier forecast heat waves until May, but has since said temperatures will remain cooler at least until the second week of April.
Adding to the concerns about how the power situation will evolve is the impact of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz choked, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from the Middle East have dwindled, leading to a shortage of LPG for commercial and home cooking purposes.
The use of electric stoves in homes has increased substantially, and if the war doesn’t end soon and the gas shortage worsens, the electricity grid could come under further stress if commercial kitchens also switch to electric.
<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-92655 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12.png" alt="Source Wise Gross Generation (BU) in 2025-26 (as on Jan 31, 2026) " width="1795" height="1342" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12.png 1795w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-300x224.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-768x574.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-1536x1148.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-650x486.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-624x467.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Picture1-12-600x449.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1795px) 100vw, 1795px" /></a>
Gas-fired power generation accounts for a small <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/led-by-solar-renewables-overtake-thermal-in-indias-power-mix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">share</a> in India’s overall power mix, but it comes into play during summer evenings when solar generation drops. About 8 GW of gas-fired thermal power is used to offset the shortages and rebalance the grid. To what extent this will be possible in the wake of the gas shortage this year is a question mark. Already, the 370 GW Yelahanka gas-based power station in Bengaluru has been shut following the suspension of supplies by state-owned natural gas company GAIL in early March.
Despite the annual growth in renewable capacity additions, India continues to expand its coal-based capacity. As of February 2026, about 8.8 GW of coal capacity was added in FY 2025-26, against a target of roughly 12 GW. India plans to add 34.7 GW of coal-based capacity by FY 2030-31, comprising 18.36 GW in the central sector, 9.9 GW in the state sector, and 6.4 GW in the private sector, according to CEA.

MoP Invokes Emergency Clause to Boost Coal Power Output Amid Demand Surge

Government-owned oil and gas major Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (<a href="https://www.bharatpetroleum.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BPCL</a>) has said it plans to leverage its nationwide network of fuel stations to support electric mobility.
The company plans to convert around 7,000 conventional retail outlets into energy stations providing multiple fueling options like petrol, diesel, and flexi fuels, besides electric vehicle (EV) charging facility, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen.
BPCL said that it would accelerate its presence in new business segments for sustainable growth. The company is exploring opportunities in electric mobility, biofuels, petrochemicals, gas, consumer retail, and digital transformation.
&#8220;In the years to come, BPCL has made aggressive investment plans. We will be investing more than ₹1 trillion (~$13.55 billion), &#8220;said Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, BPCL. &#8220;The investment will help BPCL prepare for the future where conventional fuels and zero-carbon mobility in the form of EVs and hydrogen will co-exist.&#8221;
Indian upstream and downstream oil companies, including state-owned ones, are investing in clean energy solutions and ramping up renewable energy capacities. The diversification is in line with moves by companies around the world to reduce their carbon footprint.
Recently, the first Expression of Interest (EoI) for a long-term agreement to supply ethanol <a href="https://mercomindia.com/daily-news-wrap-up-tender-supply-ethanol-receives-bids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received </a>bids from 197 players. BPCL published the EoI on behalf of oil marketing companies. The EoI is a step by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and oil companies to motivate project proponents to set up ethanol production plants in ethanol-deficit states.
Earlier, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/indian-oil-corporation-renewable-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> plans to diversify its business verticals and make significant investments to the tune of ₹250 billion (~$3.48 billion) in clean energy projects like solar, wind, biomass, and solar panels at its filling stations. IOCL aims to invest ₹2 trillion (~$28 billion) in the next five to seven years to develop future-ready corporations that can provide comprehensive energy solutions.
In November 2020, IOC successfully <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1674436" target="_blank" rel="noopener">conducted</a> a &#8216;Proof of Concept&#8217; feasibility study for &#8216;Zero-Emission Electric Mobility,&#8217; a concept that allows EVs to charge using solar power. Hygge Energy, a start-up incubated by Tech Mahindra, designed the EV charging system.
Image: Wikimedia Commons-<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/BPCL_Petrol_Station_07122014.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC</a>

Bharat Petroleum’s 7,000 Retail Outlets to Support Electric Vehicle Charging

<a href="https://www.shvenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SHV Energy</a>, a Netherlands-based global distributor of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has acquired a majority stake in India-based distributed solar company <a href="http://sunsource-energy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SunSource Energy</a>. The investment amount is undisclosed.
SunSource Energy, which initially focussed on design and engineering, procurement, and construction of solar projects, expanded to also invest in commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) solar projects to sell energy to its customers since 2018. The company also develops and invests in open access solar projects. SunSource now has a presence across South-East Asia.
SunSource Energy&#8217;s co-founders Kushagra Nandan and Adarsh Das will continue to run the company and remain shareholders.
The acquisition is part of SHV Energy’s renewable solutions strategy and ensures SunSource&#8217;s solar portfolio expansion to over 550 MW by 2023.
With this transaction, private equity firm Neev Fund, promoted by India&#8217;s largest commercial lender State Bank of India and the U.K. government will exit from its three year investment in SunSource Energy.
In 2018, SunSource Energy had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/sunsource-funds-solar-indian-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised</a> capital from Neev Fund to develop solar projects across various states of the country. The investment was used to develop solar projects in eight states with low levels of capital investment.
Meanwhile, SHV Energy enters India&#8217;s growing renewable energy market, with a focus on solutions for C&amp;I customers and capitalizes on SunSource Energy&#8217;s experience in decentralized energy projects. SHV Energy already operates in India through its &#8216;SUPERGAS’ brand, a leading local LPG player founded in 1996.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement and look forward to collaborating with our new SunSource Energy colleagues to address the evolving energy needs of commercial and industrial consumers. India is a key market for SHV Energy, and this investment underpins our long-term commitment to the region and advancement of renewable energy solutions,” said Bram Gräber, Chief Executive Officer, SHV Energy.
Adarsh Das, Co-Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, SunSource Energy, said, “We are delighted that SHV Energy has partnered with us. We are happy to have a like-minded strategic long-term investor on board who believes in our model of sustainable development and decentralized energy solutions. This investment will enable us to leverage SHV Energy’s global presence and expertise to emerge as a leading global distributed solar company.”
Kushagra Nandan, Co-Founder, and President, SunSource Energy, added, “SunSource Energy will be able to draw strength from SHV Energy&#8217;s deep global experience in energy markets, well-tested processes, and business practices. We look forward to contributing further towards India’s clean energy goals and offer more products that continue to solve energy transition challenges faced by commercial and industrial customers.”
According to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Tracker</a>, SunSource Energy has 40 MW projects in operation and 36 MW are under development as of March 2021.
Global VC funding for the solar sector in Q1 2021 came to $1 billion in 14 deals, a 33% increase compared to $773 million raised in 12 deals in Q4 2020, according to Mercom Capital Group’s <a href="https://mercomcapital.com/product/q1-2021-solar-funding-ma-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q1 2021 Solar Funding and M&amp;A Report</a>.

SHV Energy Acquires Majority Stake in Distributed Solar Company SunSource

The Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Nitin Gadkari, has approved a proposal to levy &#8216;Green Tax&#8217; on old vehicles polluting the environment. MoRTH has forwarded the proposal to the states for consultation before it is formally notified.
According to MoRTH, transport vehicles older than eight years could fall under Green Tax&#8217;s purview (at 10-25 % of road tax) when their time comes up for renewal of fitness certificates. However, public transport vehicles, such as city buses, will see a lower Green Tax.
Green Tax will also be levied on personal vehicles when renewing registration certification after 15 years. A higher Green Tax (50% of Road Tax) would be levied on vehicles registered in highly polluted cities.
Different tax rates will be applicable depending on the fuel (petrol/diesel) and type of vehicle. Strong hybrids, electric vehicles, and vehicles that consume alternative fuels like CNG, ethanol, and LPG would be exempted from the new tax.
Vehicles used in farming, such as tractors, harvesters, and tillers, would also be exempted from the tax.
The revenue collected from Green Tax would be utilized for setting up state-of-the-art facilities in the states for emission monitoring.
According to MoRTH, the Green Tax will:
<ul>
<li>Dissuade people from using vehicles which harm the environment</li>
<li>Motivate people to switch to newer, less polluting vehicles</li>
<li>Lead to the reduction in pollution levels</li>
<li>Make the polluter pay for pollution</li>
</ul>
MoRTH also approved the deregistration and scrapping of vehicles over 15 years old and owned by government departments and public sector undertakings from April 1, 2022.
It is estimated that commercial vehicles, which constitute about 5% of the total vehicle fleet, contribute about 65-70% of total vehicular pollution. The older fleet, typically manufactured before the year 2000, constitutes less than 1% of the total fleet but contributes around 15% of total vehicular pollution. These vehicles pollute 10-25 times more than modern vehicles.
The Ministry for Road Transport has been taking creative steps to curb pollution in the country.
Last month, MoRTH had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/transport-ministry-reduce-oil-dependence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sought</a> comments from the public on adopting E20 as an automotive fuel. It had also called for feedback on its mass emission standards. This fuel is a blend of 20% ethanol with gasoline and used in E20 compliant vehicles. It is effective in reducing carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions. The fuel will help India reduce its oil imports while boosting energy security.
In July 2020, the National Institute of Transforming India (<a href="http://niti.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NITI</a>) Aayog and the International Transport Forum of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (<a href="http://www.oecd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OECD</a>) jointly launched a project to decarbonize India&#8217;s transport sector. The five-year project will help India develop a low-carbon transport system through new modeling tools and policy scenarios. It will design a tailor-made transport emissions assessment framework for India.

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