Daily News - Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Cement Demand to Grow 11% in Q3FY26. Government Infrastructure and Housing Push Cement Sector Growth (The Hindu Businessline)

According to a report by Axis Direct, cement demand in India is projected to grow 11% year‑on‑year in Q3FY26, driven by strong government infrastructure spending and sustained demand from the affordable housing segment. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways are key drivers of this demand, with capital expenditure programs continuing to support construction activity nationwide. Rural markets are expected to outperform urban demand, aided by above‑average monsoon conditions and steady wage growth, which are boosting housing and infrastructure projects in non‑metro regions. Cement companies are likely to post robust revenue growth in Q3FY26, though pricing pressure may persist due to heightened competition and incremental supply additions. For the full financial year FY26, cement demand is forecast to expand in the range of 7-8%, supported by the government’s capital expenditure push and continued housing activity. The report also noted that the recent GST rate cut on cement has improved affordability, accelerating non‑trade demand and supporting higher offtake in price‑sensitive segments.

Tata Power to Invest Rs 6,675 Crore (USD 800M) in India’s Largest 10 GigaWatt Wafer Plant (News18)

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) will invest Rs 6,675 crore (USD 800 million / INR 6,675 crore) to establish a 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, the largest of its kind in India. The project has been approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with 200 acres allocated in the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone (120 acres for the plant, 80 acres for expansion). The facility will produce ingots and wafers, critical inputs for solar cells, modules, and semiconductor chips, reducing India’s dependence on imports from China. The project is expected to generate 1,000 direct jobs and will be powered by a dedicated 200 MW renewable energy plant, aligning with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) push for domestic solar manufacturing. Industry estimates suggest India’s demand for wafers will exceed 50 GW by 2030, making this investment strategically important for energy security and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. The initiative strengthens Andhra Pradesh’s position as a solar manufacturing hub, while supporting the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for renewable energy equipment.

India’s Space Economy Aims for 10% Global Share by 2033 (Business World)

India’s space economy, currently valued at about USD 400 billion (INR 33 trillion) globally, sees India contributing only ~2%, with government targets to raise this share to 10% by 2033, as per the Indian Space Policy 2023. The policy reduced ISRO’s monopoly and opened the sector to private players through IN‑SPACe and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), alongside 100% FDI in satellite components (2024). Challenges remain: IN‑SPACe lacks legislative backing, launch infrastructure is insufficient for global benchmarks of weekly launches, and India still caps FDI in launch vehicles at 49%, limiting private expansion. Strategic concerns include the UN Liability Convention (1972), which makes India legally responsible for private launches, complicating commercial growth, and risks of talent drain abroad due to stronger policies and funding elsewhere. Experts recommend decisive reforms in 2026, including a Space Activities Bill, PLI scheme for space manufacturing, multi‑billion‑dollar government venture funds, and Special Space Economic Zones for private launch infrastructure. Despite gaps, optimism remains: ISRO’s Gaganyaan G1 uncrewed flight, EOS missions, and private firms like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, and Dhruva Space are advancing new launch vehicles, hyperspectral constellations, and engines, while MeitY and industry leaders emphasize space data’s role in governance, disaster management, and digital economy.

India Becomes Largest Buyer of Russian Crude Oil as India’s Fuel Demand Hits Record Highest Since 1998 (Reuters)

India’s fuel consumption hit an all‑time high of 21.75 million metric tons in December 2025, up 5.3% year‑on‑year, according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Petrol sales rose to 3.56 million tons, marking a 7.1% annual increase, while diesel consumption reached 8.46 million tons, up 5% year‑on‑year but slightly lower than November. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) demand surged 11.2% year‑on‑year to 3.08 million tons, reflecting strong household and commercial usage. Bitumen consumption, used in road construction, jumped 18.8% year‑on‑year to 0.91 million tons, highlighting infrastructure activity, while fuel oil usage rose 2.3% to 0.57 million tons. India remains the world’s third‑largest consumer and importer of oil, and is currently the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, benefiting from discounted barrels amid Western sanctions. The surge in demand comes amid geopolitical tensions, with the U.S. warning of potential tariff hikes if India does not curb Russian oil purchases, while companies like Reliance Industries Ltd reported no Russian crude deliveries expected in January.

India’s Data Centre Capacity to Hit 1.7 GigaWatt in 2026. New Cable Landing Stations to be set up in West Bengal, Mumbai, Chennai (Economic Times)

India’s data centre capacity is projected to reach 1.7 GW by the end of 2026, with an addition of 220 MW during the year, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The country closed 2025 with 1.5 GW of installed colocation capacity across the top seven cities - Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune after adding 228 MW in that year. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is driving growth through initiatives like IndiaAI, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and the proposed National Data Centre Policy, which includes incentives such as 20‑year tax holidays and categorisation of data centres as essential services. New cable landing stations are expected to become operational in Digha (West Bengal), Mumbai, and Chennai in 2026, significantly boosting connectivity and supporting expansion. By 2030, India’s data centre capacity is expected to reach 3 GW, but demand will rise to nearly 6,043 MW by 2033, leaving a projected shortfall of about 1,542 MW, highlighting the need for accelerated infrastructure development. The policy framework also proposes data centre economic zones (DCEZs), renewable energy incentives, and streamlined state‑level approvals, aiming to attract investors and ensure sustainable growth in India’s digital economy.