ENERGY POLICY
World switches on to electrification; India holds back
COP31 in Antalya emphasizes electrification, with Turkiye targeting 35% by 2035 and several countries signing the pledge. India, despite its growing electricity demand and near-universal grid access, has not yet joined the initiative. Concerns about new commitments and clean energy targets are influencing India's decision. The International Energy Agency predicts a significant increase in India’s electricity share by 2035.
PM in Manila: Aligning act east, Indo-Pacific & MAHASAGAR policies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manila for the ASEAN Summit, focusing on strengthening India's partnerships. The growing competition in the Indo-Pacific requires ASEAN countries to seek reliable collaborations with India. Maritime cooperation, educational exchanges, and renewable energy initiatives are critical areas for future collaboration.
State's stalwarts set to spotlight ET's Bengal summit
Bengal Ascends will be held on November 24 at ITC Sonar in Kolkata, gathering key industry stakeholders. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, along with other ministers, will share their vision and seek industry feedback. Discussions will focus on revitalizing West Bengal's traditional industries and leveraging tech talent for new opportunities.
Fed officials signal further rate hikes as inflation remains elevated
Federal Reserve officials are signaling further interest-rate increases to combat persistent inflation pressures in the economy. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly expressed concerns about services inflation and its implications for future policy. Both Boston Fed President Susan Collins and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan emphasized the need for tighter monetary policies. They indicated the possibility of upcoming rate hikes to achieve price stability and mitigate inflation.
US Treasury chief says Fed should not hike rates over energy shock tied to Iran war
During his speech, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocated for the Federal Reserve to keep an open mind about interest rate adjustments. He pointed out that the current economic indicators could be skewed due to a supply shock from the ongoing conflict in Iran. Despite recent market volatility, Bessent stressed that the US economy remains robust.
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India’s October merchandise trade deficit widens to one-year high of $39.88 billion as imports surge
India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion in October, surpassing economists' forecasts. Exports rose to $49.47 billion from $44.40 billion, while imports increased to $89.35 billion. The trade figures reflect pressures from high import costs, particularly in energy markets amid global uncertainty. India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil, impacting the overall trade balance significantly.

Supply shocks to weaken monetary policy effectiveness: CEA
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized the diminishing effectiveness of interest rate adjustments in controlling inflation due to supply chain disruptions. He indicated that fiscal policies will play a critical role in addressing these supply-induced challenges. Nageswaran highlighted that many countries have struggled to meet their inflation targets since 2022. He underscored the potential long-term dominance of supply shocks in inflation dynamics.

Hammack, Goolsbee signal need for restrictive rate policy as inflation persists
Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack called for higher interest rates to bring inflation back to the 2% target, warning that persistent price pressures could entrench inflationary expectations. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee also expressed concern, saying October inflation data remained elevated and showed no meaningful improvement.

Clean Max Enviro Energy pledges Rs 50,000 crore investment in Andhra Pradesh
Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions has signed an MoU to invest Rs 50,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh. This investment will focus on developing 3GW of integrated power generation facilities using wind and solar energy. The power generated will support a compute factory being established in Kurnool in collaboration with Neysa. Clean Max aims to integrate generation, storage, and distribution to meet rising clean energy demands.

CleanMax plans ₹50,000-crore investment in Andhra Pradesh to power 2 GW green compute factory
CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd has signed an MoU to invest ₹50,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh for developing clean energy. The investment will include 3 GW of renewable capacity and a compute factory in Kurnool district. They plan to ensure round-the-clock electricity through integrated power infrastructure combining wind, solar, and storage systems. Additionally, CleanMax will implement training programs for local youth and upgrade educational infrastructure.

AI can bring productivity gains with job risks; impact on India not yet clearly visible: Moody's
Artificial intelligence is expected to improve productivity in IT services and BPO sectors in emerging markets. Moody's predicts GDP growth for India will rise to 7% in 2027. The lack of digital infrastructure and skills could limit how emerging markets benefit from AI.

European business sentiment improves, but inflation and debt risks mount: Survey
Business confidence across Europe's industrial and services sectors has improved since June, but rising inflation, higher borrowing costs and concerns over government debt are weighing on the economic outlook. Businesses are also increasingly worried about price pressures and fiscal policies.

Renewables helped India save over $100 billion in fuel imports since 2011: IEA
India's expansion of renewable energy capacity has helped the country avoid more than USD 100 billion in coal and natural gas import costs between 2011 and 2025, highlighting the economic and energy security benefits of generating more electricity domestically, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Clean energy gains fail to lift India's climate ranking
India's renewable energy initiatives have progressed, yet the country has dropped in the Climate Change Performance Index rankings. While India met its non-fossil fuel targets ahead of schedule, the challenge of generating electricity persists. The report highlights progress in solar and wind energy capacities and emphasizes the need for better storage solutions. Experts suggest that India should establish new, more ambitious goals for renewable energy.

Energy infra startups see bigger cheques as investors bet on sovereign play
Bengaluru-based Enerzolve, which makes smart meters, power conversion systems and energy storage systems, is in talks to raise $20 million from existing investors Jungle Ventures and Kae Capital as well as Schneider Electric, people aware of the matter told ET. That’s nearly four times the $5 million it raised in a January round.

India's renewable energy expansion averts $100 bn in fuel imports, savings seen at $240 bn by 2030
The findings underline the growing economic and energy-security dividends of India's renewable energy transition, with increased domestic electricity generation reducing exposure to imported fossil fuels and volatility in international energy markets.

Liberian-flagged tanker carrying six Indian seafarers hit by projectile in Persian Gulf while sailing towards Dubai
A Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying six Indian seafarers was hit by a projectile while travelling through the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, leaving four crew members injured, including one Indian national. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the remaining 18 crew members, including five other Indians, were safe.

World leaders begin talks as COP31 faces pressure to turn climate promises into action amid rising global warming
World leaders are gathering in Turkey for the UN climate conference COP31 amid mounting pressure to translate climate commitments into concrete action. The summit comes after a year of deadly climate-related disasters, stalled progress on fossil fuel reductions and growing concerns that global warming will exceed the 1.5°C threshold set under the Paris Agreement. Rising energy prices linked to the Iran war and the absence of the US delegation add to the challenges facing negotiations.

US Fed's Logan calls for two more rate hikes, possibly rapidly
Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan said the central bank needs at least two more quarter-point rate increases to curb persistent inflation and prevent price pressures from becoming entrenched. She suggested policymakers could accelerate the pace of tightening this winter, beginning with the Fed’s December 8-9 meeting.

Traders raise odds of 50 bps Fed rate hike as CPI rise exceeds expectations
New data has revealed that US consumer prices rose faster than anticipated, prompting speculation about interest rate changes. Fed Governor Christopher Waller suggested a half percentage point hike may be necessary if core prices continue rising. The Consumer Price Index showed a month-over-month increase of 0.4% in October, with core inflation remaining persistent. The bond market reacted strongly to these developments, significantly affecting Treasury yields.

Waaree Energies to invest 15,000 cr in green ammonia project in Andhra
Waaree Energies will invest approximately ₹15,000 crore to establish a green ammonia project in Andhra Pradesh. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes and will be positioned strategically near the Kakinada Gateway Port. An MoU will be signed at the Andhra Pradesh Investment Summit later this week to formalize the investment. The project has received approval under the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024.

Growing demand, demographics, digital agenda & energy security are long-term and secular tailwinds for India: Macquarie’s Ed Northam
Head of green Investments for the Australia’s largest asset manager said the firm is looking to reboot its India operations. While renewables will remain the biggest focus, industrial energy transition and E-mobility will be other key areas, he said. Since 2005, Green Investments group has deployed over $21 billion across 94 investments worldwide.

Norway reins in data centre industry amid AI boom
Norway produces more power than it consumes and is a net exporter, but recent projections show that demand from new data centres could lead to an energy deficit and rising electricity prices in the coming years.

Gas prices in the US are nearly half of Europe's: Why are American drivers paying so much less?
American motorists are currently paying much less for fuel compared to drivers in the European Union. The average petrol price in the EU is almost double that of the US, highlighting significant market differences. Higher taxation in Europe contributes to this price discrepancy, making it important for consumers to understand. Diesel costs also reflect a noticeable difference, though the gap is smaller than for petrol.

Cabinet approves VGF plan for grid-scale energy storage with Rs 14,500 crore support
The Union Cabinet has approved a significant ₹14,500 crore funding scheme to develop 92 GWh of energy storage capacity. This initiative supports both hydro pumped storage and battery energy storage systems aimed at accelerating renewable energy. Additionally, a scheme has been approved for processing critical minerals like lithium and nickel to reduce import dependency. The government aims to modernize its statistical system with a ₹4,371.10 crore scheme.

Cabinet approves ₹14,500-crore scheme to add 92 GWh energy storage capacity
The Union Cabinet has approved a significant ₹14,500-crore scheme aimed at developing new energy storage capacity. This funding will support the establishment of 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage across India. Additionally, 850 fast-track courts will be set up to expedite cases involving child abuse and rape. The government has also created a pathway for the enrollment of 25% of Agniveers in the armed forces.

Forget solar and wind: India bets on heat buried deep underground for round-the-clock clean electricity; here's the big plan
India is stepping up efforts to tap its estimated 10.6 GW geothermal energy potential, with its first two geothermal wells commissioned in Ladakh's Puga Valley in July 2026. The government is also supporting pilot projects across Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Telangana, while its 2025 National Geothermal Energy Policy aims to promote research, technology development and private investment in the sector.
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