New Delhi: Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will play a pivotal role in making India’s power distribution networks smarter, consumer-centric and self-optimising.
Addressing a national conference in New Delhi, he said AI/ML-driven tools such as smart meter analytics, digital twins, predictive maintenance, theft-detection intelligence, appliance-level insights, automated outage prediction and GenAI-based decision support can significantly enhance consumer experience and operational efficiency.
Khattar urged all DISCOMs to collaborate with technology partners, industry, states and academia to speed up the transition towards reliable and data-driven distribution systems. He stressed the need to actively engage consumers and dispel misinformation surrounding new technologies, noting that public support is crucial for large-scale adoption.
The Minister said these solutions showcase how technology can restore trust in the system, helping households better manage consumption, preventing outages before they occur, reducing theft burdens on honest consumers and enabling DISCOMs to cut losses and optimise power purchase costs. Such advancements, he added, will strengthen infrastructure and position India as a global leader in digital electricity reform.
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating digitalisation across DISCOMs and promoting AI/ML solutions that deliver measurable operational and financial gains. He emphasised the importance of interoperability, secure data-sharing and capacity building to help scale innovations across the country as part of the ongoing energy transition.
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