Government Fast-Tracks Digital Energy System to Make Power Cheaper and More Reliable

The Ministry of Power has convened the India Energy Stack (IES) Taskforce to accelerate development of a unified digital backbone for the energy sector, aiming for rollout by July 2026.

The initiative is being described as the “UPI moment for India’s energy sector,” potentially transforming how power is generated, transmitted, and consumed.

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What the India Energy Stack Is

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Secure, interoperable digital ecosystem for the energy value chain.
• Purpose: Integrates generation, transmission, distribution, regulators, and consumers into one framework.
• Core Elements:
  • Strategy Document – vision, governance, adoption roadmap.
  • Architecture Document – technical standards, interoperability, data exchange protocols.
• Leadership: REC Limited as nodal agency; FSR Global as knowledge partner.
• Taskforce Heads: Ram Sewak Sharma (Chairman), Pramod Verma (Chief Architect), Pradeep Kumar Pujari (Vice Chair).

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Key Developments

• Fast-tracking: High-level meeting held on November 24, 2025 to review draft documents.
• Rollout Target: July 2026 for nationwide implementation.
• Participants: Central Electricity Authority, IEEMA, state distribution utilities, regulators, technology experts.
• Focus Areas:
  • Transparent and reliable energy access.
  • Open data exchange with uniform standards.
  • Efficiency improvements for DISCOMs.
  • Integration of renewable energy sources.

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Strategic Importance

• Energy Transition: Supports India’s Net Zero commitments by enabling smarter integration of renewables.
• Consumer Benefits: Promises affordable, reliable, and inclusive energy services.
• Global Positioning: Aligns India’s power sector with other DPI initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI.
• Economic Impact: Enhances efficiency, reduces losses, fosters innovation in energy services.

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Risks & Challenges

• Data Security: Ensuring cybersecurity and privacy in a unified energy stack.
• Interoperability: Aligning legacy systems of state utilities with new digital standards.
• Adoption: Training and capacity building across diverse stakeholders.