Your power bills in India might go down soon
What's the story
India is looking to reduce consumer power bills and improve energy efficiency by using artificial intelligence (AI) in distribution networks. Shashank Misra, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Power, announced this plan at the National Conference on AI/ML in Power Distribution Sector in New Delhi. The government aims to use AI tools for better detection of theft-prone zones and faster responses.
Energy efficiency
AI-driven analytics to identify abnormal consumption patterns
Misra said that AI-driven analytics will help distribution companies (discoms) spot unusual consumption patterns and focus field inspections. This would also help in reducing technical and commercial losses which are a major cost burden for utilities and consumers. The ministry is also looking into using large language models, including GPT-based systems, for decision-making support, workflow automation, and real-time monitoring across the distribution sector.
Energy demand
India's surplus power capacity and data centers
Energy experts at the conference also discussed India's surplus power capacity and its potential to become a global leader in energy trade. The rapid expansion of data centers is creating unprecedented energy demand. The country can emerge as a leader by treating electricity as a tradable commodity and meeting domestic and international energy needs.
Legislative changes
Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims for competitive industry
In October, the Centre released a draft of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill aims to make Indian industry and logistics more competitive by rationalizing the electricity costs and reducing hidden cross-subsidies. It promotes cost-reflective tariffs while protecting subsidized tariffs for farmers and low-income households. The bill also moves away from the old monopoly supply model to a performance-driven approach, where public and private utilities compete fairly to improve consumer service.