The Ministry of Power has released the National Electricity Data Sharing Framework (NEDSF) 2026 to establish a standardized mechanism for sharing operational, commercial and technical data across India’s power sector. The framework aims to improve data accessibility, reduce information silos, enhance consistency in data management and support evidence-based decision-making among utilities, regulators, researchers and technology developers, while protecting sensitive electricity infrastructure information.
The framework encourages sectoral entities to adopt common data-sharing practices, although participation remains voluntary. The entities covered include central and state power generation companies, transmission licensees, distribution companies (DISCOMs) and load despatch centres. The initiative is intended to improve coordination across the electricity value chain and facilitate the use of reliable data for planning, operations, research and policy development.
To oversee implementation, the ministry has established the National Electricity Data Division (NEDD) within the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). A National Electricity Data Governance Committee, chaired by the CEA Chairperson, will provide overall governance and supervision. The existing National Power Portal will also be leveraged to develop the National Electricity Data Portal (NEDP), which will publish open datasets and maintain inventories of available data and their associated metadata.
Under the framework, electricity-sector datasets are divided into two categories based on their sensitivity and access requirements. Tier 1 covers public data that can be accessed free of charge without registration or manual approval. These datasets include national and state-level installed power capacity statistics, daily electricity generation summaries, plant availability factors and aggregated consumption figures. The category is intended to make essential sector information more accessible to stakeholders.
Tier 2 covers access-controlled data that can be accessed by verified Indian entities following registration and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. This category includes detailed load-flow cases, feeder-level operational information, unaggregated outage logs and anonymised smart meter interval data. The additional controls are designed to facilitate legitimate data use while limiting exposure of sensitive operational information.
The framework also introduces measures to protect personal information and comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Before publishing or transferring datasets, data issuers must apply appropriate de-identification techniques. These may include anonymisation, pseudonymisation, tokenisation, value banding, spatial displacement and suppression to reduce the risk of identifying individual consumers or specific assets.
Data sharing can take place through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), secure platforms such as API Setu and NAPIX, or controlled Secure Data Environments. Users requesting Tier 2 information must sign formal agreements covering confidentiality, permitted purposes and requirements for storing and processing data within India.
The framework also establishes a two-tier digital grievance redressal mechanism. Designated Data Governance Officers must address initial data-access or fee-related disputes within 14 working days, with unresolved matters eligible for escalation to an entity-level Data Governance Committee.
To support implementation, regulatory commissions are directed to permit initial setup costs to be included in Annual Revenue Requirements. Operational expenses may be recovered through published fee models. Central and state government entities, statutory bodies and academic research institutions will receive fee waivers or reduced rates to encourage research, analysis and evidence-based policymaking across India’s electricity sector.
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