Khattar calls for raising India's per capita power use, expediting RE transition amid global uncertainty

New Delhi: Stressing the importance of energy security amid global uncertainties, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday underlined the need to enhance per capita energy consumption and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy.

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Chairing a national ministerial meet with states and Union Territories at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, Khattar said, “Power is fundamental to economic growth and infrastructure” and called for “coordinated efforts between Centre and States to ensure affordable and efficient power generation, transmission, and distribution.”

Highlighting sectoral progress, he pointed to “over 520 GW installed capacity, improved DISCOM performance, large-scale smart meter deployment, and reduced power shortages.” He added that the Centre would provide “full support” to states in implementing reforms, including “legal and administrative measures,” while also flagging nuclear energy as a clean source and describing the SHANTI Act as “a significant step forward.”

Consumer service standards show improvement across utilities

The Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs report released alongside the meeting indicates an overall improvement in service delivery across the sector. The report evaluates utilities on “prompt and accurate metering and billing, timely and effective grievance redressal and fair, transparent tariff-setting,” with the aim to “elevate consumer satisfaction and foster cross-disciplinary learning.”

Of the 66 DISCOMs assessed, 6 were rated A+, 21 A and 27 B+, with no utility falling into the D category. The report notes that “DISCOMs’ performance has strengthened, reflected by a higher proportion receiving top grades,” while “fewer DISCOMs and consumers fall into the lower bands.”

Multi-dimensional ranking framework expands performance assessment

The Distribution Utilities Ranking report adopts what it describes as a “multi-dimensional evaluation framework encompassing institutional capability, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and service delivery outcomes.”

The framework is designed to support “a financially sustainable, operationally efficient, and consumer-centric power distribution ecosystem,” aligning with the government’s broader push towards energy transition and system efficiency.

The rankings show that top-performing utilities significantly outpace others, underlining variations in execution and operational capability across the sector.

Energy transition readiness built into distribution metrics

The ranking framework incorporates parameters such as renewable purchase obligation compliance, demand-side response, communicable system metering and resource adequacy.

This signals a shift in policy focus towards preparing the grid for higher renewable integration and managing rising and more variable electricity demand — in line with Khattar’s emphasis on accelerating the clean energy transition while ensuring energy security.

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Data gaps persist despite expanded benchmarking

The reports also flag gaps in participation and data reporting. Some utilities were excluded from the assessments due to non-submission or incomplete data, indicating that while benchmarking frameworks are strengthening, transparency and reporting discipline remain uneven across the sector.

Coordinated reform push under long-term energy vision

Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik highlighted the role of technology in sector transformation, noting that Artificial Intelligence and smart metering are key enablers. He said that “half of India’s installed capacity is non-fossil fuel sources” and pointed to the draft National Electricity Policy as a roadmap towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Officials emphasised the need for “collective and coordinated action” to meet rising demand while ensuring reliability and sustainability.

Taken together, the minister’s remarks and the findings of the two reports indicate a policy shift that places energy security, rising consumption and renewable transition at the centre of India’s power sector strategy, supported by a stronger focus on performance measurement and accountability.

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