IEX Shares Swing As CERC Clarifies Coupling 'Order' As 'Direction' — Details Inside
Indian Energy Exchange shares surged 6.78% to ₹160.27 before retreating as CERC issued a corrigendum converting market coupling 'order' to 'direction' amid ongoing APTEL hearings. IEX challenged the framework as arbitrary and violating natural justice principles, while APTEL emphasized CERC's need for independence and urgency in addressing irregularities. Market coupling would aggregate bids from all power exchanges under a single clearing price, representing a major shift from the current system where each exchange sets independent prices.
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Indian Energy Exchange shares experienced dramatic volatility on Friday as the Electricity Appellate Tribunal (APTEL) resumed hearings in the high-profile market coupling case. The stock surged to near six-month highs before retreating almost 6% amid regulatory developments that could significantly impact India's power trading landscape.
CERC Issues Corrigendum on Market Coupling Framework
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued a corrigendum converting the market coupling "order" into a "direction," a move that Indian Energy Exchange termed as unusual given the retrospective nature of the change while the case remains pending. The regulator clarified that the term "order" in its July 23, 2025 publication should be read as "directions."
| Development: | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Publication: | July 23, 2025 |
| Change Made: | "Order" converted to "Direction" |
| IEX Response: | Termed change as unusual and retrospective |
| Case Status: | Still pending before APTEL |
IEX Challenges CERC's Market Coupling Decision
In its submission to APTEL, Indian Energy Exchange highlighted several concerns regarding CERC's market coupling framework:
- The CERC order is arbitrary and violates principles of natural justice
- The framework would erode market share without delivering tangible benefits
- Lack of clarity from CERC on withdrawing the coupling order
- The retrospective change is unprecedented given ongoing legal proceedings
During the hearing, CERC's lawyer requested additional time to respond on the withdrawal of the July 23, 2025 order, indicating potential reconsideration of the controversial framework.
APTEL Emphasizes Regulatory Independence
The Electricity Appellate Tribunal made significant observations during the hearing, emphasizing that CERC must function independently and remain above suspicion. APTEL noted it would conduct an inquiry if any irregularities were found within CERC and stressed the need for the regulator to show urgency in addressing internal issues.
The hearing had previously been postponed after CERC indicated willingness to accept directions regarding withdrawal of the contentious order, which had sparked strong market reactions.
Understanding Market Coupling Framework
Market coupling represents a fundamental shift in India's power trading mechanism. Under this framework, buy and sell bids from all power exchanges—including IEX, PXIL, and HPX—would be aggregated and cleared under a single market clearing price (MCP). This contrasts sharply with the current setup where each exchange independently sets its own prices.
If implemented, this regulatory change would centralize electricity price discovery across India's multiple power exchanges within the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) mechanism, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the sector.
Share Price Performance and Market Response
| Metric: | Value |
|---|---|
| Intraday High: | ₹160.27 (+6.78%) |
| Closing Price: | ₹149.61 (-0.32%) |
| Highest Since: | July 24, 2025 |
| Year-to-Date Performance: | -13.64% |
| Relative Strength Index: | 62.20 |
The stock's performance reflected market uncertainty surrounding the regulatory framework. At 11:07 a.m., shares traded 0.32% lower at ₹149.61, compared to a 0.23% decline in the NSE Nifty 50 Index.
Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with four out of 13 analysts maintaining 'buy' ratings, three recommending 'hold,' and six suggesting 'sell' according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a downside of 1.10%, reflecting cautious optimism amid regulatory uncertainties.
Historical Stock Returns for Indian Energy Exchange
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -7.82% | +3.73% | -2.50% | -31.16% | -20.43% | +85.97% |
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