Union Power Minister Chairs National Meet at Bharat Electricity Summit 2026; Push for Energy Security & DISCOM Reforms
The Minister called for greater Centre–State coordination to ensure affordable, efficient, and reliable power across generation, transmission, and distribution segments
A high-level Ministerial Meet with States and Union Territories was convened during the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 (BES 2026) under the chairmanship of Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, focusing on strengthening India’s energy security and accelerating power sector reforms.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik and witnessed participation from senior policymakers including Gulab Chand Kataria, Administrator of Chandigarh and Punjab, Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary (MNRE), along with Energy Ministers and officials from multiple States and UTs.
Power Sector Key to Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision
Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal emphasized that BES 2026 will play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted that power remains the backbone of economic growth and infrastructure development.
He underlined key achievements of India’s power sector:
- Over 520 GW installed capacity
- Significant improvement in DISCOM performance
- Rapid rollout of smart meters
- Noticeable reduction in power shortages
The Minister called for greater Centre–State coordination to ensure affordable, efficient, and reliable power across generation, transmission, and distribution segments.
Focus on Energy Security & Clean Energy Transition
Highlighting global uncertainties, the Minister stressed the importance of energy security and the need to:
- Increase per capita energy consumption
- Accelerate renewable energy adoption
- Explore nuclear energy as a clean alternative
He described the SHANTI Act as a major step forward in strengthening India’s energy framework and assured States of full Central support for reforms, including legal and administrative measures.
Technology & AI to Transform Power Sector
Minister of State Shripad Naik highlighted the transformative role of technology and Artificial Intelligence, particularly in:
- Smart metering
- Grid efficiency
- Consumer service improvements
He noted that nearly 50% of India’s installed capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, aligning with India’s long-term sustainability goals.
Key Reports Released: CSRD & DUR (FY 2024–25)
Two major reports were released by the Ministry of Power:
1. Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs (CSRD)
The CSRD Report evaluates DISCOMs on consumer-centric service parameters such as:
- Billing accuracy
- Metering efficiency
- Grievance redressal
- Tariff transparency
Key Highlights:
- 66 DISCOMs evaluated
- 6 DISCOMs rated A+
- 21 rated A
- 27 rated B+
The report indicates significant improvement in service quality, with more DISCOMs moving into higher performance bands and fewer in lower categories.
2. Distributing Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report
The DUR Report provides a multi-dimensional assessment of power utilities based on:
- Financial sustainability
- Operational efficiency
- Institutional capability
- Consumer service delivery
A total of 66 utilities participated, reflecting a comprehensive national evaluation.
The report aims to build a financially viable, efficient, and consumer-focused power distribution ecosystem, aligned with India’s long-term energy transition goals.
Way Forward
The Ministerial Meet underscored the need for:
- Strong Centre–State collaboration
- Accelerated reforms in distribution sector
- Enhanced adoption of clean and emerging energy technologies
With rising demand and global energy challenges, the discussions at BES 2026 signal a decisive push toward a resilient, sustainable, and future-ready power sector in India.
