Archives March 2026

New Delhi, Mar 12th: Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a leading power utility supplying electricity to a populace of around 9 million in North Delhi, expects the Power Peak Load to touch 2622 MW this summer and has made adequate power arrangements of up to 2900 MW to meet the anticipated rise in summer power demand.

As part of its summer preparedness strategy, Tata Power-DDL has undertaken comprehensive measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the peak demand season. Adequate arrangements have been put in place through Bilateral Agreements, Reserve Shutdown mechanisms, and participation in Power Exchanges to maintain supply reliability.

Company’s Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) facilities at Rohini will also support in providing continuous and reliable power to key customers during any exigency during the summer months.

Tata Power-DDL has extensively implemented advanced technologies to ensure reliable power supply, like advanced statistical/Machine Learning forecasting models and Integrated Digital Energy Portfolio Management application etc.   

Summer Peak Demand Trends in Tata Power-DDL’s Area:

2026-27: 2622 MW (expected)

2025-26: 2410 MW

2024-25: 2481 MW

2023-24: 2218 MW

2022-23: 2028 MW

“Tata Power-DDL is completely prepared and committed to ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply for our customers. As we approach summer season of 2026, we are expecting power demand within our distribution area to reach approximately 2622 MW, and we are fully prepared to meet the demand on the back of our arrangements and technology-centric load management system. We have optimized load management, deployed cutting-edge technologies, and fortified our network infrastructure to ensure smooth operations. Some of the proactive initiatives that our team has taken up include mobile transformers, increased maintenance, deployment of adequate resources & QRTs for promptly handle any emergencies,” said spokesperson, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.

The company has also undertaken the following additional measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply to its customers:

Network Strengthening Activities 

• Commissioning of new and augmentation of existing distribution transformers to meet increasing load
• Preventive and condition-based maintenance of all critical electrical installations

Tripping Mitigation:

• Predictive maintenance of 11 kV Feeders & DTs through Thermo-scanning & Physical Audits
• Regular Tree Trimming & replacement of faulty units
• Infra-red & Ultrasound of all Grid Substation Equipment
•  Preventive Maintenance of Grid Switchgear
•  Vegetation Maintenance of sub-transmission overhead Lines

Maintenance & Backup:

To meet with eventualities, mobile distribution transformers have been deployed for breakdown and are evenly stationed in the entire distribution network. Additional staff has been recruited at the call centres. Dedicated round-the-clock teams to attend breakdown and supply restoration for sub-transmission system have also been created.

By  HALEIGH ERRAMOUSPE

Thirty years after earning their degrees from Texas Tech University, John and Rachel Brownlee are investing in the students who will define the next generation of the commercial real estate industry.

Both alumni and loyal supporters, the couple has made a significant gift to the Center for Real Estate in the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business in support of ON&ON: The Campaign for Texas Tech University.

In honor of their generosity, the center will be renamed the John and Rachel Brownlee Center for Real Estate.

“The Center for Real Estate has given Rachel and I the opportunity to contribute directly to three of our major passions: Texas Tech, the real estate industry that has done so much for us and helping to create the next generation of real estate business leaders,” John said.

Located within the Area of Finance in the Rawls College, the center was founded in 2016 and has focused on promoting excellence in commercial real estate education through academic programs, student involvement, research initiatives and strong partnerships with alumni and industry professionals over the past decade.

Since joining that effort in 2021, the Brownlees have proven to be among the center’s most dedicated advocates — and this gift is a testament to that commitment.

The Brownlees’ donation will serve as a driving force in fueling the center’s growth and advancing these goals, opening doors for the next generation of Texas Tech students. The gift will provide comprehensive support for the Brownlee Center for Real Estate by funding scholarships, internships, student travel to conferences and events, faculty and staff support, research and other program needs.

“John and Rachel’s decision to support the Center for Real Estate at this level allows us to elevate the impact of the center by launching more students in their careers, providing greater service to the real estate industry and garnering national attention,” said Margaret L. Williams, dean of the Rawls College. “Their commitment to working with us is even more exciting. Our students, faculty and staff look forward to benefiting from our partnership with John and Rachel, who are such terrific people, for years to come.”  

Nearly 300 students are enrolled in the commercial real estate courses administered by the Brownlee Center for Real Estate, open to every student at Rawls College regardless of major. Students from select majors in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources and the Edward E. Whitacre College of Engineering can also participate. 

By completing four real estate courses (12 credit hours), students earn a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate. The certificate prepares graduates for careers in commercial real estate and related industries, equipping them with skills in brokerage, appraisal and property and asset management. 

“Demand for a commercial real estate program at Texas Tech has never been stronger —  both from students who want meaningful careers and from employers who want well-rounded graduates ready to immediately contribute to the industry,” said Jared Harrell, director of the Brownlee Center for Real Estate. “The Brownlee Center for Real Estate is designed to sit at that intersection, preparing students for the marketplace while giving industry partners a direct connection to Texas Tech’s talent, research and professional networks.”

John earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 1994, and Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with a minor in marketing the same year. Through his more than 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, John has originated and structured more than $12 billion in transactions. He is a principal at Brownlee Waggoner Holdings, LLC, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm he co-founded in 2025 and holds the CRE® (Counselor of Real Estate) designation.

Prior to founding Brownlee Waggoner Holdings, John was a senior managing director at JLL (formerly HFF). He has held leadership roles in numerous industry organizations. He is a past chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) DFW District Council and has served on boards and councils for organizations including ULI’s National Small-Scale Development Product Council, The Counselors of Real Estate and Freddie Mac’s CME’s formation advisory council.

A champion for Texas Tech and the center, John has contributed not only financially but also through his time and dedication by mentoring the next generation of industry professionals and deepening ties between Texas Tech and the broader commercial real estate community. He is the chair of the Brownlee Center for Real Estate Advisory Council and serves on the Texas Tech Foundation Board and the Rawls College Dean’s Advisory Council. John and Rachel reside in Dallas, Texas, and have three daughters.

With fuel prices rising in recent days, many travelers are searching for more affordable transportation options—especially with the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday, when families across Egypt travel between cities to celebrate with loved ones or enjoy a short getaway.

Amid current economic challenges, finding cost-effective travel solutions has become increasingly important. Smart mobility applications are emerging as a convenient alternative, helping travelers save both time and effort while providing comfortable and flexible transportation between Egyptian cities.

One notable example is the inDrive.City to City service. The platform offers a convenient and flexible travel experience, allowing users to book a private ride—either alone or with family and friends—without having to share the trip with other passengers. Another key feature is the ability for passengers and drivers to negotiate the trip price directly, enabling users to find fares that suit their budgets.

For instance , a family of four traveling from Cairo to coastal destinations such as Alexandria or Ein Al-Sokhna might pay between EGP 1,050 and EGP 1,500 in total. This brings the cost per person to approximately EGP 300–375. In comparison, a single bus ticket can exceed EGP 500, not including the additional cost of commuting to and from bus stations, which can further increase the total expense for one traveler. As a result, this option can be both more affordable and more convenient. It also saves time, since travelers avoid bus stations and fixed departure schedules; instead, drivers pick passengers up directly from their location and take them to their destination according to the agreed trip details.

Safety and security remain key priorities for inDrive.City to City. All drivers on the platform are registered and their documents are verified, helping ensure a reliable travel experience.

As many Egyptian families continue to navigate financial pressures, smart mobility services such as inDrive.City to City offer practical solutions. By providing lower travel costs and greater flexibility, these services help families manage their travel budgets more efficiently while enjoying their Eid Al-Fitr holidays with greater ease and comfort.

Mar 12: As the summer sun begins to peak, Toscano invites diners to rediscover the vibrant, refreshing flavors of Italy with the launch of its exclusive Signature Salad Menu. This seasonal offering marks a shift toward lighter, nutrient-rich dining, blending traditional Italian techniques with the season’s most crisp and flavorful produce.

 Designed to rejuvenate the palate during the warmer months, the new menu moves beyond the traditional side dish, elevating the salad to a centerpiece of culinary craftsmanship. Each bowl is a study in texture and balance utilizing artisanal olive oils, house-made infusions, and imported cheeses to ensure that while the meals are light, they remain deeply satisfying.

The idea behind the Summer Menu is simple: create dishes that feel effortless yet satisfying in the heat. Toscano’s kitchens focus on seasonal ingredients, fresh cheeses, and balanced flavours that are both comforting and refreshing. Whether it’s a quick lunch between meetings or a laid-back dinner with friends, the summer selections are designed to keep the experience light, social, and flavourful.

Among the highlights is the Summer Sandwich with French Fries, served on freshly baked sourdough pizza bread with lettuce, tomatoes, Emmental cheese, and guacamole, with the option to add pesto chicken or premium meats. Salads take centre stage this season, with dishes like the Mango & Melon Salad with Smoked Fior di Latte, combining varieties of melon and mango with smoked mozzarella, greens, olives, and almonds. The Buffalo Mozzarella, Summer Fruits & Mixed Nuts Salad brings together sweet seasonal fruits, creamy mozzarella, confit cherry tomatoes, and rustic pesto croutons. To cool things down, the menu also features refreshing coolers including the Jasmine Blossom Fizz, Cucumber Elderflower Cooler, Mango Ginger Sparkler, and Rose & Lychee Refresher.

Over the past year, Toscano has continued to expand its footprint across India, bringing its authentic Italian dining experience to new audiences. The brand recently marked key launches in Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai, including its newest restaurant in Inorbit Mall , Malad, an outpost that reflects Toscano’s evolving vision of combining rustic Italian charm with contemporary dining spaces. Each new opening reinforces the brand’s focus on craft, quality ingredients, and the convivial spirit of Italian hospitality. With more than 20 restaurants now across the country and growing steadily, Toscano continues to build on its legacy as one of India’s fastest-growing authentic Italian dining brands.

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, March 12, 2026 – Gas supply disruption from the Middle East conflict will drive sustained volatility in European power markets, with TTF prices above €50/MWh passing through to electricity prices across major markets, according to Wood Mackenzie analysis published today.

While European power is less dependent on gas, the disruption removes approximately 1.5 Mt per week (2.2 bcm) from global LNG markets—equivalent to 19% of global LNG exports. TTF day-ahead gas prices soared above €55/MWh ($18.7/mmBtu) on 9 March following QatarEnergy’s force majeure declaration the previous week. European gas storage sits 10% below last year’s levels following January’s cold spell. Europe’s ability to switch from gas to coal-fired generations in the power sector has declined sharply since 2022, with a 77% gas price increase now reducing gas generation by only 5%.

“Europe added 306 TWh of low carbon power supply between 2022 and 2025, reducing fossil fuel dependence and resulting in the contribution of gas and coal falling by 292 TWh,” said Peter Osbaldstone, Research Director, Europe Power at Wood Mackenzie. “But gas generators still set marginal prices on a frequent basis in major markets. When TTF rises €30/MWh, German power prices follow with €40/MWh increases.”

Osbaldstone added: “We’ve traded one vulnerability for another. Less overall gas dependence improves energy security. While gas’ role in power price formation varies by country, in Europe’s connected market its influence can be hard to avoid. Losing alternative supplies, such as coal capacity, means gas price shocks hit harder – Europe needs gas generation so it pays the price.”

Key Facts:

• Strait of Hormuz disruption removes 1.5 Mt LNG per week (2.2 bcm, or 19% of global exports)
• TTF day-ahead prices topped €55/MWh on 9 March 2026, up from around €30/MWh pre-conflict
• Gas correlation with power prices: R² = 0.97 in Germany, R² = 0.99 in Italy
• European gas storage: 10% below 2025 levels after January 2026 cold spell
• Low carbon supply share: 66% in 2025, up from 51% in 2022
• 306 TWh low carbon supply added between 2022 and 2025
• Fuel-switching capability in major power markets limited: 77% gas price increase reduces gas generation by only 5%
• Potential coal switching capacity: approximately 20 TWh of additional power supply, primarily in Germany 

Gas sets marginal prices despite reduced power supply share

Renewable and low carbon sources now provide 66% of European supply, up from 56% in 2022. Between 2022 and 2025, low carbon supply increased by 306 TWh. Gas and coal’s contribution fell by 292 TWh over the same period.

However, gas-fired plants continue setting prices in Italy, Great Britain and Germany as the source remains critical to system balance during periods when the availability of renewables is lower. . While Germany’s share of gas-fired supply has been lower than markets like Italy, Spain and Great Britain, it’s remained quite flat (around 18%) from 2022 to 2025 as nuclear phase-out completed and coal retirement mount. Looking forward, we expect the role of gas in German power price setting to increase towards 2030, as coal retirements continue to mount, a marked contrast to other markets.

The limited fuel-switching flexibility locks in the linkage between gas and power prices. Wood Mackenzie analysis shows a 77% increase in gas prices—from €36/MWh to €64/MWh—reduces gas generation by only 5%. Coal-fired supply could increase by approximately 20 TWh, with German generators adding 12 TWh. Germany also maintains 4.5 GW of hard coal in strategic reserve, though with an average age of 50 years and limited recent running the capability of these generators to offer sustained support is uncertain.

Policy intervention probability increases

European governments spent €60 billion on crisis-related electricity subsidies in both 2022 and 2023 – despite lower wholesale prices in the latter of these years. Germany introduced subsidies to support industrial energy costs covering 2026-2028. During the 2022 energy crisis, governments implemented revenue caps ranging from €40/MWh to €180/MWh depending on technology and market. Spain and Portugal introduced agas price cap mechanism (€40-65/MWh), limiting the bids of gas-generators in Spain and Portugal and suppressing wholesale power prices from June 2022 through May 2023.

“Affordability pressure is real and policy makers are very sensitive to it,” Osbaldstone said. “But the best policy outcomes must be time-limited and ideally avoid distorting wholesale price signals. We learned in 2022 that blunt interventions create unintended consequences.”

Potential 2026 interventions include revenue caps, windfall taxes on generators, consumer subsidies and temporary market rule changes following 2022 precedents.

Energy security returns to policy priority

A prolonged disruption will strengthen the strategic case for renewables, nuclear, grid expansion and storage to reduce import dependence. Nuclear policy shifted in 2025. Sweden established state loan support of $25 billion for new nuclear build. Italy lifted its longstanding moratorium. Poland is advancing six reactors with $17 billion in direct investment support. Spain reconsidered operational extensions for plants approaching decommissioning dates originally set for completion by 2035.

The REPowerEU initiative, launched May 2022 in response to Russia’s invasive of Ukraine and Europe’s ensuing gas supply disruption, delivered an 18% reduction in gas demand by end-2023 through voluntary measures. The program set targets for 45% renewable share by 2030 and strengthened gas storage requirements.

The EU remains legally bound to 90% emissions reduction by 2040. Policy shifts will focus on sequencing and emphasis rather than reduced ambition. Europe’s political momentum remains firmly behind decarbonisation and reducing reliance on imported energy, but the path is becoming more complex.

“Another supply shock this soon after 2022 will crystallise decisions that have moved slowly,” Osbaldstone said. “Nuclear timelines, grid investment, storage deployment, interconnection priorities—all get forced up the political agenda when energy security is threatened.”

Market outlook depends on conflict duration and infrastructure damage

Whether prices normalise quickly or risk premia persist depends on conflict duration and damage to export infrastructure. Assuming no damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities, restart would require approximately two weeks as production trains return sequentially. Construction at Qatar’s mega-trains will likely pause for the conflict’s duration, creating potential longer-term supply implications.

Before the conflict, the global gas market appeared balanced at $11/mmBtu (€31/MWh), with more than 35 Mt of new LNG supply expected in 2026 and subdued Asian demand. Asian LNG prices for April 2026 delivery have climbed and are expected to trade at a premium to Atlantic basin prices as buyers seek alternatives.