Hello Energy Enthusiasts!Welcome back to your fortnightly energy update. The grid is growing, but stability is vanishing in a turbulent market. More power, less certainty -- this is the reality facing the sector.Here is how to stay ahead of the shifts this week.Let’s dive in!Fortnight that was:Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) data show that India imported roughly 60.48 million tonne (mt) crude oil worth around $49.66 billion in April-June of FY27 (Provisionally), growing by 61 per cent from Q1 FY26 and 32 per cent from Q1 FY25. This is the highest for the April-June period in terms of value calculated in US Dollars. businesslineThe All India Power Engineers’ Federation (AIPEF) has strongly opposed the proposal of grant of parallel distribution licences discussed by the Consultative Committee of the Power Ministry. businesslineREC Limited and PFC Limited have signed Common Loan Agreement with Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited for a loan amount of ₹26,850 crore for the 2400 MW Meja TPP Stage-II Ultra-Super Critical units of 800 MW under Stage-Il (3x800 MW) with Air Cooled Condenser system at Meja Tehsil, Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh. The estimated project completion cost is ₹38,357.81 crore. Media releaseIndia’s power demand rose in the first half of the current calendar year, led by strong industrial activity and heatwaves, with electricity shortages more than doubling on an annual basis during January-May 2026. International Energy AgencyTrending topics:Tata Steel’s EASyMelt technology aims to halve coke use in blast furnaces. M RameshClick here to read moreGovt empanels 16 third party testing agencies for Coal Exchange. Rishi Ranjan KalaClick here to read moreAI Data Centre to consume 26.3 GW electricity by FY32: Power Ministry. Rishi Ranjan KalaClick here to read more‘AC for some, shorter lives for others’: The unfair toll of global warming. Richa MishraClick here to read moreExpert insights:Remember the “9 PM, 9 Minutes” event on April 5, 2020? It was the ultimate real-time test of India’s grid infrastructure, when millions of citizens turned off their home lights simultaneously. The need of the hour is to boost battery storage to leverage solar power and lessen the burden on the grid. Richa MishraClick here to read moreWhy, at 42.79 per cent, record RE penetration is as much a cause for worry as cheer. M RameshClick here to read morePodcasts:Extreme heat, power grids, and survival: The new climate warning. In the latest episode of Energonomics host Richa Mishra speaks to Ashwin Rode of the University of Chicago and Climate Impact Lab who explains the challenges facing countries like India and the solutions needed to keep people safe in a warming world.Click here to listenClick here to watchSigning off until our next update!Published on July 31, 2026