Delhi: AI and Machine Learning will transform India’s power distribution sector, said Minister of Power Shri Manohar Lal at the National Conference held at Bharat Mandapam. He stated that these technologies will bring consumer-focused, intelligent and self-optimising systems to DISCOM operations.
The Minister listed several key applications. They include theft-detection intelligence, digital twins, predictive maintenance, appliance-level insights, automated outage prediction and GenAI-based support tools. He said these solutions create a strong base for better service reliability and tighter operational discipline.
National stakeholders demonstrate AI and Machine Learning breakthroughs
Shri Manohar Lal praised innovators, states, academia and technology partners for showcasing new AI/ML solutions for distribution networks. He added that DISCOMs must work with the wider ecosystem to adopt smarter systems. Further, he urged them to engage consumers to remove uncertainty about emerging technologies.
He explained that AI/ML applications reduce outages, help consumers manage energy use, protect honest households from theft-related burdens and support utilities in cutting losses and improving power purchase efficiency. According to him, these tools strengthen India’s leadership in digital electricity governance.
Ministry of Power Secretary Shri Pankaj Agarwal reaffirmed support for digital progress across DISCOMs. He stressed the need for capacity building, secure data-sharing and interoperability. These measures, he said, will allow innovations demonstrated at the conference to scale nationwide.
The national innovation call received 195 submissions, and evaluators shortlisted 51 entries for detailed review. The winners included TNPDCL, MP East, Tata Power, Apraava, Pravah, Flock Energy and Tata Power in the home-automation category. Their presentations highlighted advances such as smart meter analytics and unified grid intelligence.
The Minister congratulated the winners and urged wider adoption across the country. He also launched CEA’s STELLAR platform to support long-term adequacy planning. In addition, a handbook from the India Smart Grid Forum featured 174 AI, ML, AR/VR and robotics use cases.
