Stocks to buy: From Coal India to JSW Energy, Axis Direct bets on these 5 stocks as India’s power demand heats up The brokerage firm Axis Direct has maintained Buy ratings on five power sector stocks, including Coal India, JSW Energy, and NTPC, citing strong demand, weather-related risks, and infrastructure expansion as key drivers. The analysis highlights the impact of El Niño conditions, which could intensify through fiscal year 2027, and the role of transmission network growth in supporting the sector. Axis Direct also noted that peak power demand in India is projected to rise significantly, with a forecast of around 270 gigawatts this summer, up from the previous all-time high of 250 gigawatts. The report emphasized that rising temperatures and geopolitical tensions are creating a volatile energy environment, which is boosting demand for thermal power generation. With El Niño potentially leading to hotter summers, cooling demand is expected to surge, while weaker monsoon conditions could reduce hydroelectric output. This combination is likely to increase reliance on thermal power producers and coal suppliers. Transmission capacity additions, including 1,895 ckm and 12,545 MVA of new infrastructure in February 2026, are also seen as a positive factor for the sector. Axis Direct’s analysis pointed to structural demand strength in India’s electricity market, with peak power demand reaching 245 gigawatts in January 2026. While this is slightly lower than the 250 gigawatt peak recorded in May 2024, the firm attributed the moderation to seasonal factors rather than a decline in underlying demand. The brokerage also highlighted a policy signal from the Minister of State for Power, which projected a 270 gigawatt peak for this summer, representing an 8% increase over the previous record.#coal_india #jsw_energy #axis_direct #ntpc #skipper

Power Stocks Surge Amid Rising Demand and Summer Outlook Shares of major power companies saw significant gains in early trading on Friday, March 13, driven by increased investor interest and expectations of heightened power demand. The sector's performance followed a 2.5% rise in the previous trading session, with several stocks climbing between 1% and 6%. Notable performers included NTPC Green Energy, Adani Power, JSW Energy, and Tata Power, though some stocks later dipped as the broader Indian stock market experienced a sharp decline. NTPC Green Energy led the pack, surging 6.5% on the day, while Adani Power rose 3.5% after a 6% gain the prior day. JSW Energy shares climbed 2%, contributing to a 6% total gain in the last trade. Coal India and NTPC also saw marginal gains, hitting fresh 52-week highs on the BSE before stabilizing. The surge in power stocks is attributed to the peak power demand observed in March and the anticipation of a challenging summer season. According to a report by JM Financial, evening power demand reached 224.6 gigawatts (GW) on March 10, the highest recorded for the month, with a 7% year-on-year increase. During non-solar hours, renewable energy, hydro, gas, and coal sources operated at utilization rates of 67%, 28%, 87%, and 95%, respectively. Analysts note potential supply gaps in gas and hydro, which could lead to higher plant load factors (PLFs) for thermal utilities and the coal supply chain. The report also highlights geopolitical tensions, which may result in persistently high liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices and intense summer conditions, pushing coal-fired generation to meet evening demand.#tata_power #coal_india #adani_power #jsw_energy #ntpc_green_energy
Energy shares gain in weak markets amid crude spike; Nifty Energy up 2% Shares of energy-related stocks saw significant gains on Thursday as crude oil prices rose, despite broader market weakness. The NSE Energy index, which tracks 40 energy sector stocks, surged by 2.14% to reach an intraday high of 36,914. This outperformed the benchmark Nifty50 index, which fell by 0.51% to 23,746. Thirty-four of the 40 energy stocks in the index closed in positive territory, while six ended lower. Adani Total Gas led the gains with a 9.52% rise, followed by NLC India and JSW Energy, both up around 8%. Other notable performers included Adani Power, Reliance Power, Jaiprakash Power Ventures, BHEL, Torrent Power, and Tata Power, all climbing over 5%. Coal India rose nearly 4%, and NTPC gained nearly 2%. Adani Green Energy also climbed about 2%, while Reliance Industries, India’s largest company by market cap, rose 1.29%. In contrast, several energy stocks fell, including Oil India, ONGC, GE Vernova T&D India, Power India, Siemens Energy India, and Thermax, which dropped up to 3%. The government stated that coal stocks in the country are sufficient to meet demand, with coal production and supply exceeding consumption this year. It reported that coal stocks at thermal power plants and mines totaled around 210 million tonnes, enough for 88 days. The Ministry of Coal highlighted that 6 million tonnes of coal are available at Singareni Collieries, over 15 million tonnes at commercial mines, and 14 million tonnes in transit. Thermal power plants held 54 million tonnes of coal, sufficient for 24 days at current consumption rates. The ministry also noted a 14% increase in coal supply to the non-regulated sector compared to the previous year.#adani_total_gas #coal_india #adani_power #jsw_energy #nifty_energy
Power Stocks Surge Amid Rising Demand and Energy Transition Shift Power stocks in India are experiencing a significant rally on Thursday, March 12, as the sector leads the broader market recovery. Shares of NTPC Green Energy have surged 13%, making it the top gainer on the Nifty 500 index, while JSW Energy rose 7%, and Adani Power, CESC, BHEL, Torrent Power, and Tata Power also recorded gains between 4% and 6%. The surge is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased power demand and shifting dynamics in energy generation. The early onset of summer in India has driven up electricity consumption, while a surge in the use of electric cookware and battery infrastructure has further boosted demand. This trend is exacerbated by the ongoing LPG crisis, which has prompted households and industries to rely more on electric alternatives. The LPG shortage, linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, has accelerated the transition toward renewable and grid-based energy solutions. India’s Coal Ministry has stated that the country’s coal stockpile of 210 million tonnes is sufficient to meet demand for 88 days. However, power demand has remained subdued in recent months due to persistent monsoon rains and the winter season, with the current financial year’s demand at 245 gigawatts—well below the earlier projected 270 gigawatts. Despite this, the sector is showing signs of recovery, with thermal power plants operating at over 70% of their capacity, compared to around 25% for solar and wind installations. Morgan Stanley has highlighted the potential for thermal coal-based power generation to absorb incremental load as demand rises. The firm noted that this shift could support a smoother ramp-up in thermal coal production, which is critical for meeting immediate energy needs.#morgan_stanley #tata_power #adani_power #jsw_energy #ntpc_green_energy

Rising power demand this summer season can benefit these stocks, as per Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley has highlighted that increasing temperatures across India and constrained fuel supplies could shift the balance in favor of thermal power producers in the fiscal year 2027. The brokerage firm noted that power demand remained subdued in fiscal year 2026 due to a cooler summer and an unusually strong winter, which reduced electricity consumption during peak months. However, early trends in FY27 suggest a reversal, with temperatures already rising and several regions experiencing heatwave conditions. This is expected to drive a surge in electricity demand in the coming months. On the supply side, Morgan Stanley has identified emerging risks. The firm warned that gas and hydro power generation could face challenges in the first half of FY27. Persistent tensions in the Middle East are likely to tighten global gas supplies, potentially impacting LNG availability for India. Additionally, reports indicate the Himalayan region may experience one of its driest spring seasons on record, which could reduce hydroelectric output. In FY26, gas and hydro power accounted for approximately 2% and 9% of India’s total power generation, respectively. Against this backdrop, Morgan Stanley anticipates that thermal coal-based generation will take on a larger share of incremental demand. This shift could also result in higher solar curtailment in certain regions, enabling thermal plants to increase output more smoothly. The brokerage firm emphasized that stronger merchant power prices could benefit companies like Adani Power and JSW Energy through improved earnings. It also noted that a settlement related to the Mundra project or the imposition of Section 11 of the Electricity Act could act as a positive catalyst for Tata Power.#morgan_stanley #tata_power #adani_power #jsw_energy #torrent_power
