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NTPC Group is advancing its pumped storage projects, targeting a total capacity of 20 GW across various sites in India, with plans to commission 3-5 GW by the fiscal year 2031-32. A senior official highlighted that THDC India, a subsidiary of NTPC, has already launched a 1,000 MW pumped storage project at Tehri in Uttarakhand, with the first unit commencing commercial operations this month. The company anticipates the full 1,000 MW to be operational by FY26, contributing to India's renewable energy transition. With over 40 years of operational life, these pumped storage assets are seen as vital for enhancing energy security and supporting climate goals. NTPC has completed preliminary feasibility reports for 18 projects, with detailed reports for four nearing completion, as it aims to bolster its energy storage capabilities. Currently, NTPC Ltd stands as India's largest integrated power utility, meeting a quarter of the nation's power needs. 
Published: Jun 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's finished steel imports saw a significant decline of 27.6% in the first two months of the financial year starting in April, with provisional government data indicating a drop to 0.9 million tonnes. Notably, imports from China plummeted by 47.7% and from Japan by 65.6%, following India's imposition of a 12% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to combat a surge in cheap shipments. South Korea emerged as the largest exporter to India during this period, with an 8.2% increase in shipments to 0.4 million tonnes. Despite the drop in imports, India's finished steel consumption rose by 7.1% to 25.1 million tonnes, and crude steel production increased by 9.5% to 26.9 million tonnes. Meanwhile, India's steel exports fell 18.1% to 0.8 million tonnes, with Belgium being the largest market for Indian steel exports.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, known as Milma, has raised concerns over the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the US, warning it could severely harm India's dairy sector. K.S. Mani, Milma's Chairman, emphasized that the influx of low-cost US milk and dairy products would threaten the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers who rely on a cooperative system for production. He argued that the FTA could undermine decades of progress in the dairy industry, jeopardizing the socio-economic stability of rural communities. Milma's Malabar Regional Union has called for the Indian government to reject any unconditional opening of the domestic market to US dairy products, citing the risk of financial losses for local farmers unable to compete with subsidized American goods. The organization insists that agricultural products should remain excluded from such agreements to protect India's agricultural integrity.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's renewable energy sector faces increased financial strain as a crucial subsidy ends, requiring solar and wind projects commissioned after June to pay 25% of inter-state power transmission costs. This policy shift, implemented by the federal power regulator, comes despite extensive lobbying from industry leaders who argue it will complicate power purchase agreements and potentially raise green energy tariffs by 0.4 rupees per kilowatt-hour, marking a 16% increase from the lowest auction prices in fiscal year 2025. With nearly 30 gigawatts of upcoming capacity already struggling due to high power prices and low demand, the change could prompt states to localize energy production, moving away from reliance on the five states with optimal conditions for renewable projects. Karnataka, a major clean energy producer, plans to continue developing local projects to avoid additional costs associated with federal transmission fees.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndian Railways has introduced significant reforms to its passenger reservation system as of July 1, marking its first fare increase since 2020. Non-AC Mail/Express train fares will rise by one paisa per kilometer, while AC class fares will increase by two paisa per kilometer, although suburban trains and short journeys under 500 kilometers remain exempt. A key procedural change now mandates that reservation charts be prepared eight hours before departure, enhancing clarity for waitlisted travelers. Additionally, waiting list capacities have been restructured, allowing AC coaches to accommodate up to 60% of total berths. New security measures require Aadhaar-based verification for Tatkal bookings, with restrictions on agents during peak booking times. The reforms also extend to premium services, and a modernized Passenger Reservation System is set to launch by December 2025, aiming to process 1.5 lakh bookings per minute and improve accessibility for various passenger groups.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAgritech firm Eeki has secured $7 million in funding from Sixth Sense Ventures to enhance its sustainable food ecosystem, which aims to provide nutritious and affordable food while using 95% less water than traditional farming methods. The investment will facilitate the nationwide scale-up of Eeki's aeroponic technology, including the deployment of its advanced Gen 3 Growing Chambers, which utilize climate-controlled, soil-free environments to optimize plant growth. Eeki's innovative approach not only conserves water but also ensures higher yields and pesticide-free produce year-round. CEO Abhay Singh emphasized the significance of this funding in advancing climate-resilient farming in India and beyond. Co-founder Amit Kumar noted that 30% of their team is dedicated to maximizing crop yields with minimal resources. Sixth Sense Ventures' founder, Nikhil Vora, praised Eeki's model for its cost efficiency and potential for global scalability, highlighting the company's promise in addressing future food security challenges.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inTea prices at Coonoor auctions experienced a decline last week, influenced by uncertainty in the export market and increased arrivals. Traders noted that elevated transport costs to various overseas destinations, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in West Asia, have led to shipment rescheduling. The auctions saw a total offered quantity of 2,047,153 kg of leaf tea, with a sales percentage of 77%, while dust grades fared slightly worse at 72% from 534,010 kg. Global Tea Auctioneers reported that high-priced, quality teas remained steady, with some lots increasing by ₹3 to ₹4, although certain lower-quality lots dropped by ₹4 to ₹5. Demand for CTC leaf was generally subdued, while orthodox leaf grades saw a slight uptick in prices. Overall, the market reflected a mixed performance, with some categories experiencing price increases and others facing declines.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inUnion Minister H D Kumaraswamy met with Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), to explore strategic opportunities, including securing long-term access to low-silica limestone from the UAE and collaboration in green steel initiatives. During his visit to Dubai, where he inaugurated MECON and NMDC offices, Kumaraswamy highlighted the potential for green hydrogen and trade partnerships through value-added steel exports from India. He invited RAK to engage in infrastructure development and raw material value chains, emphasizing that steel is vital for India's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. The minister noted that NMDC's new office would facilitate mineral asset acquisitions and strategic joint ventures, while MECON's operations would focus on industrial project execution and green steel strategies. Currently, SAIL sources around 2.5 million tonnes of limestone annually from RAK, with plans for increased procurement as part of its capacity expansion.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia has overtaken China as the world's fourth-largest biofuel consumer for the second consecutive year in 2024, with consumption rising 40% year-on-year to 77,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (kbbloe/d). Despite this achievement, India lags behind China in biofuel production, which increased by nearly 31% to 106 kbbloe/d. The Statistical Review of World Energy 2025, published by The Energy Institute, highlights that global biofuel demand reached a record 2.2 million barrels per day, with the Asia Pacific region leading growth. The US remains the top consumer at 856 kbbloe/d, while India’s production grew 27% to 70 kbbloe/d. The review underscores the critical role of biofuels in decarbonising transport and industry, amidst rising global CO₂ emissions and a complex energy landscape where renewable advancements coexist with fossil fuel reliance.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 12 pmeznews.inBengaluru-based biomanufacturing firm Loopworm has secured $3.25 million in a Pre-Series A funding round, led by WaterBridge Ventures and Japan's Enrission India Capital. Co-founded by IIT-Roorkee graduates Ankit Alok Bagaria and Abhi Gawri, Loopworm is pioneering a novel method of producing recombinant proteins using silkworms, which significantly reduces the costs and energy typically associated with traditional bioreactor systems. The company aims to commercialize its technology for applications in diagnostics and animal vaccines, targeting sectors with lower regulatory hurdles. With a state-of-the-art facility capable of processing 6,000 tonnes of insects annually, Loopworm is already exporting its products to international markets, including Europe and South America. The firm has filed multiple patents for its technology and is committed to contributing to India's bio-economy vision, positioning itself as a leader in the evolving global biotech landscape.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's manufacturing sector experienced a significant boost in June, with activity reaching a 14-month high, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, which rose to 58.4 from May's 57.6. This growth was largely driven by a surge in international sales, leading to record levels of hiring and the steepest increase in new orders in nearly a year. Notably, export orders saw their third-highest growth rate since data collection began in 2005, with strong demand from US markets. Despite rising uncertainties surrounding US tariffs and stalled trade negotiations, manufacturers reported easing price pressures, with input cost inflation slowing to its lowest in four months. However, business confidence dipped to an eight-month low as concerns about competition and inflation emerged. Overall, the robust demand has prompted manufacturers to expand output and workforce at unprecedented rates.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 11 am
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