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India Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Charging ahead: EVs zoom in India with more public charging stations
Electric vehicles in India are gaining pace, supported by strong government initiatives. The Ministry of Heavy Industries launched the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme in September 2024 to boost EV adoption, expand charging infrastructure, and develop the domestic EV manufacturing sector. The scheme has a budget of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, from October 2024 to March 2026, with Rs 2,000 crore earmarked specifically for setting up public EV charging stations upDelhi leads the country in electricity consumption for EV charging. According to the Central Electricity Authority, India consumed 763 million units of electricity at EV charging stations between April 2024 and February 2025. Delhi alone accounted for 40.1 per cent of that. Maharashtra and Karnataka followed with 192.3 and 64.7 million units, respectively, while Gujarat ranked fourth. Combined, these four states represent over 80 per cent of the nation's electricity use for EV charging. From 2017 to 2024, India has witnessed a steady rise in the number of publicly available EV charging points, both slow and fast, as highlighted in the International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook 2024 report. In 2017, the country had only 220 slow chargers. By 2024, this number surged to 47,000. Slow chargers usually take 6–8 hours to charge cars and are mostly used at homes or workplaces. Fast charging points, on the other hand, grew in number from just 25 in 2018 to 28,000 in 2024. Projections indicate that by 2030, India will have over two lakh publicly available slow chargers and nearly 1.6 lakh fast availability of public EV charging stations varies widely across states. Delhi has 8.8 charging stations per lakh people, Karnataka has 8.4, and Goa has 8.6. However, Maharashtra only has 2.9 charging stations per lakh people, Rajasthan 1.4, and Gujarat like Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal also have inadequate charging facilities relative to their population size. On average, there are only 1.8 public EV charging stations per lakh people across the IndiaIndia's EV shift is already delivering environmental dividends. As per PM E-DRIVE data, current EV usage in India saves approximately 15.5 lakh litres of fuel daily, while reducing daily carbon dioxide emissions by over 22.6 lakh Watch
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Distribution, RE our main growth drivers in loan disbursements; nuclear energy another lending opportunity for us: Parminder Chopra, CMD, PFC
Mumbai: State-run Power Finance Corp ( PFC ) on Wednesday said its renewable energy book has crossed ₹80,000 crore milestone and is at ₹81,031 crore as on 31 March 2025, registering an increase of 35 per cent from last financial year. 'Our renewable energy portfolio has reached ₹81,031 crore, an increase of 35 per cent from the previous financial year… The main growth drivers were distribution and renewable energy, which contributed 55 per cent and 17 per cent to the disbursements,' said its Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Parminder Chopra at the press conference here. On expansion in nuclear generation space, she said that will be another lending opportunity for PFC going forward. 'We are waiting for a clear policy direction from the government. Since we are the largest power sector lender, we will definitely be happy to fund nuclear energy as well,' she added. Chopra said that India is steadily moving towards its 2030 energy transition targets. FY25 saw a record renewable capacity addition of around 30 GWs, with solar power comprising 80 per cent of these additions. 'The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, is also contributing to India's green energy goals. As of March 2025, the scheme has facilitated installation of over 3 GW of rooftop solar capacity, covering over 10 lakh homes. Additionally, 27 GW is targeted by March 2027 under the scheme,' she added. India has 17 GWs of rooftop solar installed capacity. This brings the total installed renewable capacity in India to 220 GW as on March 31, 2025, representing about 45 per cent of the country's total installed capacity. 'As India's electricity demand continues to rise, renewable energy is expected to be a significant share of our installed capacity. Considering the intermittent nature of renewables, ensuring grid stability and reliable power supply will be critical for our energy security,' said Chopra. The government is focusing on energy security in a threefold manner. First is by focusing on making renewable energy firm and dispatchable by integrating it with energy storage solutions. Second, by strategically complementing renewable power with capacity additions in the thermal generation space. Third, by exploring expansion of nuclear energy capacity. 'Aligned with this focus, the new renewable power options are increasingly emphasizing integrated projects such as solar-wind hybrids and generation-coupled projects coupled with battery energy storage or pumped storage projects,' she said. For instance, in February 2025, the Central Electricity Authority has mandated minimum two hours of co-located energy storage system in future solar trend tenders. In 2025, more than 50 per cent of the total option capacity was for integrated renewable. 'I want to emphasise that grid-scale energy storage technology, especially when battery energy, are still in their early stages of growth and adoption, not just in India but globally,' she said. As the rate of adoption increases, rapid technological advancements are likely, resulting in cost reductions and increased efficiency. The decreasing tariff trend will help in achieving significant scales going forward, said Chopra. 'The situation mirrors the early days of solar PV projects in India. The evolution of energy storage technologies and the surrounding ecosystem will be key detrimental for future renewable energy growth . Just as we were pioneers in supporting renewable energy projects, PFC is committed to be at the forefront of funding these emerging technologies,' she added.
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt trims gas-based power generation capacity to 20.13 GW as of April
The development comes at a time when the government has issued a directive to use unutilised gas-based generation capacity to ensure uninterrupted power supply Press Trust of India New Delhi The country has reduced gas-based power generation capacity by 20 per cent or 5 GW in the last three months to 20.13 gigawatt (GW) as of April. The development comes at a time when the government has issued a directive to use unutilised gas-based generation capacity to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the summer season, when projected demand is expected to hit 277 GW. According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data, India's overall installed power generation capacity was 472.468 GW in April, while the share of gas-based capacity was at 20.13 GW. In March, the total power generation was at 475.211 GW and the share of gas-based capacity was at 24.53 GW. India's overall installed power generation capacity was at 470.448 GW in February and the share of gas-based capacity was at 25.18 GW. The power ministry has decided to use unutilised gas-based electricity generation capacity to ensure uninterrupted power supply and maintain grid security amid an anticipated rise in the demand this summer. The ministry has been taking steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply and meet the projected or anticipated peak power demand of 277 GW this summer season. Peak power demand had touched an all-time high of 250 GW in May 2024. The peak power demand was about 235 GW in March and April, while it was 238 GW in February this year. The ministry has issued fresh directions, invoking Section 11 of the Electricity Act, "to ensure maximum generation from gas-based power plants" in the country to meet the rise in peak demand, particularly during non-solar hours. "Based on the monthly demand assessment, GRID-lNDlA will inform the gas-based generating stations about the expected high demand and stress days in advance so that the Gencos can arrange for the natural gas as required," the order said. The ministry noted in its order that India's electricity demand is witnessing a sustained increase, primarily driven by economic growth and further accentuated during periods of elevated temperatures and peak demand.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's gas based power generation capacity shrinks 20%, ahead of peak summer months
India's gas-based power generation capacity trimmed by 20 per cent or 5 gigawatts (GW) over the last 3 months, bringing it down to 20.13 GW in April. This drop comes even as the government prepares for a surge in electricity demand during the peak summer months. The move appears at odds with a recent directive from the ministry of power, which urged power producers to ramp up unused gas-based generation to ensure stable electricity supply and grid security. The ministry has been ramping up efforts to ensure undisrupted power supply and fulfil the peak power demand this summer, which is projected to hit a record 277 GW. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India's total installed power generation capacity stood at 472.468 GW in April, with gas-based power accounting for just 20.13 GW. This marks a steady decline from 24.53 GW in March and 25.18 GW in February. The ministry is now invoking Section 11 of the Electricity Act 'to ensure maximum generation from gas-based power plants', especially during non-solar hours when the strain on the grid is expected to intensify. 'Based on the monthly demand assessment, GRID-lNDlA will inform the gas-based generating stations about the expected high demand and stress days in advance so that the Gencos can arrange for the natural gas as required,' the ministry said in its order. Officials pointed out that India's electricity demand has been rising consistently, fuelled by rapid economic growth and exacerbated during heatwaves. Peak demand had already hit a record 250 GW in May 2024. This year March and April saw levels of around 235 GW while February's peak stood at 238 GW.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's gas based power generation capacity shrinks 20%, ahead of peak summer months
. India's gas-based power generation capacity trimmed by 20% or 5 gigawatts (GW) over the last 3 months, bringing it down to 20.13 GW in April. This drop comes even as the government prepares for a surge in electricity demand during the peak summer months. The move appears at odds with a recent directive from the ministry of power, which urged power producers to ramp up unused gas-based generation to ensure stable electricity supply and grid security. The ministry has been ramping up efforts to ensure undisrupted power supply and fulfil the peak power demand this summer, which is projected to hit a record 277 GW. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India's total installed power generation capacity stood at 472.468 GW in April, with gas-based power accounting for just 20.13 GW. This marks a steady decline from 24.53 GW in March and 25.18 GW in February. The ministry is now invoking Section 11 of the Electricity Act 'to ensure maximum generation from gas-based power plants', especially during non-solar hours when the strain on the grid is expected to intensify. 'Based on the monthly demand assessment, GRID-lNDlA will inform the gas-based generating stations about the expected high demand and stress days in advance so that the Gencos can arrange for the natural gas as required,' the ministry said in its order. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Добро пожаловать в Аравию SAUDI Забронировать Undo Officials pointed out that India's electricity demand has been rising consistently, fuelled by rapid economic growth and exacerbated during heatwaves. Peak demand had already hit a record 250 GW in May 2024. This year March and April saw levels of around 235 GW while February's peak stood at 238 GW. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
