New Delhi: With tensions escalating between India and Pakistan over the past week, the Centre has asked states to implement power islanding schemes and tighten cyber security measures to protect critical energy infrastructure.

“In wake of recent geopolitical situation, securing the power sector infrastructure, including the transmission grid and distribution systems, is very critical and the states should implement necessary cyber security protocols for the same. In addition, states should also prepare and implement power islanding scheme,” said Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Tuesday.

He was addressing the Regional Conference for the Western Region States in Mumbai, which brought together ministers and senior officials from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, along with top executives from central and state power utilities.

The Power Secretary further advised states to plan long-term capacity additions. “It is crucial to ensure necessary capacity tie-ups as per the resource adequacy plan for upto FY2035 so as to meet future power demand,” he said. He also called for the development of intra-state and inter-state transmission networks using various funding models including Tariff Based Competitive Bidding, Regulated Tariff Mechanism, budgetary support and monetisation of existing assets.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was present at the conference, emphasised the need for modernisation and financial sustainability of the power sector. He said that achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 would require close coordination between the Centre and states.

He also highlighted the importance of resource adequacy, timely power purchase agreements, and building energy storage through Pumped Storage Projects and Battery Energy Storage Systems. “He emphasised upon the need to enhance the nuclear power generation capacity in the country with the target of 100 GW by 2047. He mentioned about the need to create special zones for green energy to achieve Net Zero emission.”

Addressing concerns in the distribution segment, Khattar noted, “The distribution sector is most critical link in the power sector value chain.” He added that the segment struggles with poor tariff structures, weak billing and collection systems, and delayed government payments. He stressed the importance of reducing AT&C losses and bridging the gap between cost and revenue through cost-reflective tariffs and timely clearance of dues.

He lauded Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh for their achievements in reducing AT&C losses and called for greater adoption of smart meters to improve efficiency. “The smart meter has huge potential to transform the way consumers interact with utilities using the data analytics based on AI/ML tools,” he said.

Khattar also asked states to fast-track installation of pre-paid smart meters in government buildings and colonies, setting a deadline of August 2025.

Participating states welcomed the Centre’s guidance and sought continued support to further bolster their respective power systems.

BI Bureau