The August-September 2026 data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reveal that the domestic energy sector is both under pressure and in transition, as India continues to be reliant on imported oil and gas as well as rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.
Oil and Gas
India’s oil and gas story has undoubtedly centred on crude oil imports. However, it is emerging as a major refining hub, with refineries processing 23.15 MT, as per the August 2026 data. The country’s oil products exports reached 4.92 MT, indicating it is making a mark in the segment as well. In the upstream oil segment, India’s produced 2.3 MMT in the month. Similarly, the country’s gas supply was dependent on external sources, with 2.2 MMT of LNG imports against 2,793 MMSCM of domestic production in August.
Power and Utilities
The country is witnessing a remarkable shift in the electricity sector, as it added 3,445.30 MW of solar capacity and 383.43 MW of wind capacity in August 2026. Solar’s contribution stood at 90 percent of the cumulative solar and wind capacity addition in the month. While renewable energy grew, thermal power remained the backbone of the country’s power generation with 116.87 BU, which is 64 percent of the total electricity generation in August 2026. Notably, India was able to meet peak demand of 2,58,270 MW in the month.
