Srinagar, December 7: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-based applications will play a pivotal role in building an intelligent, consumer-centric and self-optimizing distribution network, Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Sunday.
According to an official statement issued here, the minister was addressing participants at a two-day national conference focused on the use of AI/ML technologies in the power distribution sector held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
He said AI/ML-based solutions, smart meter analytics, digital twins, predictive maintenance, theft detection intelligence, appliance-level consumer insights, automatic outage prediction, and GenAI-based decision support can transform both consumer experience and operational efficiency. The Union Minister lauded the active participation of industry, states, innovators, academia and technology partners in the national conference. He appreciated the AI/ML solutions offered by power distribution companies (DISCOMs), advanced metering infrastructure service providers (AMISPs), technology solution providers (TSPs), and home automation solution providers (HASPs).
The Minister called on all DISCOMs to work closely with ecosystem stakeholders to move towards a smart, reliable and consumer-focused distribution system. He also pointed out the need to actively engage with consumers. It is important to eliminate misinformation surrounding new technologies and gain valuable consumer support for technology adoption in this area.
He pointed out that AI/ML-based solutions will restore trust, enable households to better manage consumption, proactively prevent power outages, protect loyal consumers from the burden of theft, highlight a powerful story of technology that enables DISCOMs to reduce losses, optimize power purchase costs and reinvest in stronger infrastructure, positioning India as a global leader in digital power transformation and future-proof grid governance.
Speaking at the national conference, Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, highlighted the ministry's efforts to enhance digitization across DISCOMs and accelerate adoption of AI/ML-based solutions that will bring tangible operational and financial improvements. He emphasized the importance of capacity building, secure data sharing frameworks, and interoperability to enable the innovations introduced at the conference to be scaled up nationally to support the country's energy transition.
The conference had a national call for innovation and received 195 applications from DISCOMs, AMISPs, Technology Solution Providers (TSPs) and Home Automation Solution Providers. After initial screening, 51 solutions were shortlisted for detailed jury evaluation on conference day 1 (December 6, 2025).
After detailed evaluation, TNPDCL (Tamil Nadu) and MP East (Madhya Pradesh) were selected for the DISCOM category. Tata Power and Apraava in AMISP category. Pravah and Flock Energy in the Solution Provider category. Tata Power in the Home Automation Solutions category. Today, the winners gave presentations and highlighted various data-driven innovations, including advanced smart meter analytics for revenue protection in Tamil Nadu and accurate consumer indexing to reduce losses with MP East. AMISPs such as TP Power Plus and Apraava Energy have demonstrated behavioral demand response and AI-based operational automation, and TSPs such as Pravah and Flock Energy have demonstrated integrated real-time grid intelligence and appliance analytics. Tata Power showcased futuristic and user-friendly solutions for monitoring and controlling energy usage. The winners were praised by the Minister of Power and encouraged to scale up such solutions across the state.
