Ministry of Power DISCOM Digitalization Initiatives

The Ministry of Power provided a comprehensive update on digitalization efforts for Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) across India, detailing various central government schemes that supplement state-level efforts. Electricity distribution falls under the concurrent subject list, with DISCOMs operating under state government and regulatory commission guidance.

Historical Scheme Performance

The Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), launched in December 2014 and closed in March 2022, executed works worth Rs. 58,686 crore including IT enablement under the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP). This included Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SCADA/DMS in 59 towns, Real Time-Data Acquisition System (RT-DAS) in 1,414 towns, and installation of 6.54 lakh smart meters.

The National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), established in 2015 and closed in March 2024, focused on smart grid policies and programmes. It installed 1,45,343 smart meters in Rajasthan and 24,214 smart meters in Chandigarh, with total releases of Rs 72.27 crore, including Rs 31.85 crore since FY2023.

Current Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)

Launched in July 2021, RDSS provides financial assistance for loss reduction infrastructure and smart metering works. Projects worth Rs. 1.53 lakh crore for loss reduction infrastructure and Rs. 1.31 lakh crore for smart metering works have been sanctioned, totaling Rs. 2.84 lakh crore. The digitalization components include:

  • Smart metering covering 19.79 crore consumers, 2.05 lakh feeders, and 52.53 lakh Distribution Transformers
  • SCADA/DMS works sanctioned for 394 towns amounting to Rs. 2,627 crore
  • IT/OT works including ERP systems, unified billing solutions, GIS-based works, and RT-DAS amounting to Rs 3,999 crore
  • Smart distribution works worth Rs. 8,608 crore sanctioned for seven cities including Gurugram, Faridabad, Kanpur, NOIDA, Varanasi, Patna, and Rishikesh

These works have been sanctioned for 28 States and 45 distribution utilities. Till date, funds amounting to Rs. 47,124 crore have been released under RDSS since FY2023, including Rs. 2,733 crore for smart metering works.

State-wise Allocation Details

Major allocations for smart metering works include Tamil Nadu (Rs. 19,235 crore), Maharashtra (Rs. 15,215 crore), West Bengal (Rs. 12,670 crore), Gujarat (Rs. 10,642 crore), Rajasthan (Rs. 9,715 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs. 8,911 crore), Kerala (Rs. 8,231 crore), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs. 18,956 crore). Several states including Haryana, Karnataka, Ladakh, and Telangana have zero allocation for smart metering works under RDSS.

IT/OT works have been sanctioned across multiple states with significant allocations to Gujarat (Rs. 507 crore), Rajasthan (Rs. 455 crore), Bihar (Rs. 406 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs. 425 crore), and Uttarakhand (Rs. 226 crore).

SCADA/RT-DAS works show Gujarat with 192 towns covered and 14,000 feeders, Himachal Pradesh with 43 towns, Madhya Pradesh with 147 towns, and Uttarakhand with 3 towns and 1,269 feeders.

Training and Capacity Building

Under RDSS, Rs. 100.9 crore was allocated for training DISCOM personnel in digital systems, with Rs. 23.36 crore utilized till July 2026. A total of 14,853 personnel have been trained across all states and union territories. Kerala leads with 823 trained personnel from KSEBL, followed by Tamil Nadu with 884 from TNPDCL/TANGEDCO, and Madhya Pradesh with 1,321 personnel across three distribution companies.

Future Initiatives

The Government of India has initiated India Energy Stack (IES) to create universal digital enablement for data exchange across the power sector, indicating continued focus on digital transformation of the distribution network.