IEX April Electricity Trade Volume Rises 16.6 Percent, Real-Time Market Surges 30 Percent YoY

Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) recorded a total electricity traded volume of 12,341 million units (MU) in April 2026, registering a 16.6 percent year-on-year increase amid rising summer demand and volatile weather conditions across India.

India’s energy consumption reached 154 billion units during the month, up 4 percent compared to the same period last year, while peak power demand touched an all-time high of 256 GW. According to the exchange, fluctuating weather patterns, including unseasonal rainfall followed by intense summer heat, significantly influenced electricity demand and market activity.

The Real-Time Market (RTM) emerged as the strongest growth segment, with traded volumes rising 30.2 percent year-on-year to 5,069 MU from 3,893 MU in April 2025. The segment also recorded its highest-ever single-day traded volume of 250 MU on April 30. Average RTM clearing prices stood at Rs 4.82 per unit, increasing 5.4 percent year-on-year. IEX said near-zero prices were observed during several solar hours due to surplus renewable energy availability.

The Day-Ahead Market (DAM), including HP-DAM, recorded volumes of 4,624 MU in April 2026, compared to 4,254 MU a year earlier, reflecting an 8.7 percent increase. Buy bids in the DAM increased 31 percent year-on-year, while sell bids rose 35 percent. The average market clearing price stood at INR 5.26 per unit, up 1 percent from the previous year. However, prices remained below INR 3.5 per unit on multiple days during early April due to lower demand caused by unseasonal rainfall.

In the Day Ahead Contingency and Term-Ahead Market (TAM), including HPTAM, traded volumes rose 9.1 percent year-on-year to 1,807 MU. The contracts included contingency, daily, weekly, and monthly contracts extending up to three months.

The Green Market, comprising Green Day-Ahead and Green Term-Ahead segments, recorded 841 MU in traded volume during April 2026, compared to 782 MU in the same month last year, marking a 7.5 perccent increase. The weighted average price in the Green Day-Ahead Market fell 6.9 percent year-on-year to INR 3.79 per unit.

Meanwhile, Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) trading volumes declined sharply during the month. A total of 1.18 lakh RECs were traded in April 2026, down 59.4 percent year-on-year. Sell bids dropped nearly 87 percent, while buy bids increased 42 percent, resulting in higher clearing prices of INR  339 per REC and Rs 370 per REC during the two trading sessions held in April.