Power Sector: Centre, States Align on Energy Security and Reforms at BES 2026 Ministerial Meet

A National Power Ministerial Meet, chaired by Manohar Lal, was convened on the second day of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, bringing together energy ministers and officials from states and Union Territories to discuss energy security and power sector reforms in India.

The meeting was co-chaired by Shripad Yesso Naik and attended by senior government officials, including Gulab Chand Kataria, Pankaj Agarwal, and Santosh Kumar Sarangi.

Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal emphasized the critical role of the power sector in achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” highlighting India’s progress in expanding installed capacity beyond 520 GW, improving DISCOM performance, deploying smart meters, and reducing power shortages. He called for stronger Centre-State coordination to ensure affordable, efficient power generation, transmission, and distribution, while stressing the importance of energy security amid global uncertainties.

The Minister also underlined the need to accelerate renewable energy adoption, enhance per capita consumption, and explore nuclear energy as a clean power source. He assured states of full central support for implementing reforms, including legal and administrative measures.

Shripad Naik highlighted the transformative role of technology and artificial intelligence in the sector, particularly through smart metering initiatives. He noted that nearly half of India’s installed capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources and pointed to the draft National Electricity Policy as a roadmap for achieving long-term energy goals.

The meeting focused on strengthening energy security and scaling up power generation, particularly from non-fossil sources, with officials stressing the need for coordinated action to meet rising energy demand.

During the session, the Ministry of Power released two key reports for FY 2024–25: the Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs (CSRD) and the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report.

The CSRD report evaluates DISCOM performance on consumer service parameters such as billing accuracy, grievance redressal, and tariff transparency. Of the 66 DISCOMs assessed, 6 received an A+ rating, 21 were rated A, and 27 were rated B+, indicating overall improvement in service delivery and consumer satisfaction.

The DUR report provides a comprehensive assessment of distribution utilities, covering financial sustainability, operational efficiency, institutional capability, and service delivery outcomes. The report aims to support the development of a financially robust and consumer-centric power distribution ecosystem aligned with India’s long-term energy transition goals.

The ministerial meet reinforced the Centre’s commitment to supporting states in advancing reforms and strengthening the resilience and sustainability of India’s power sector.