Powering the Future: How Digitisation is Transforming Power Transmission & Distribution

Date:

Trending

As India, the third-largest producer, and consumer of electricity worldwide with over 442 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity, invests heavily in ramping up power generation to meet growing consumer demand, efficient transmission and power distribution remains a challenge.

- Advertisement -

Despite substantial investments, India’s power transmission sector struggles to keep pace with the rapidly expanding power generation capacity, which is expected to double to 902 GW by 2032.

To catalyze the power transmission capacity, an investment of INR 10 lakh crore has been planned by 2032. Simultaneously, digitalization initiatives to improve infrastructure efficiency across the power value chain will be implemented.

- Advertisement -

Current Digitisation Efforts

India has already begun implementing digital technologies to transform its power transmission and distribution infrastructure:

  • Smart Grid Implementation

The government’s Smart Grid Mission and Smart Meter National Programme are driving the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), automated demand response, and energy management systems. These smart grids use digital communication technology to monitor and manage electricity production, distribution, and consumption in real time, enabling utilities to better predict demand-supply imbalances and quickly locate and fix faults.

  • Reduction of Transmission Losses

Digitization is helping tackle one of the biggest challenges in India’s power sector – transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, which currently stand at around 20-22%. Smart meters and digital payment systems are being implemented to improve collection efficiency and reduce losses for distribution companies.

  • Enhanced Grid Stability and Reliability

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being deployed for grid optimization, demand prediction, and asset management. These technologies reduce the likelihood of power outages and enhance predictive maintenance of critical infrastructure.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making

Big data analytics and IoT devices are providing utilities with real-time insights into grid performance. This data-driven approach allows for better operational efficiency, improved maintenance processes, and enhanced grid reliability.

Future Outlook

The complete digitalization of power transmission and distribution networks stands out as the only viable solution for utility companies seeking to optimize transmission efficiency, combat energy losses from leakages, and ensure the sector remains aligned with the nation’s accelerating energy advancements.

According to the Central Electricity Authority, the country needs to construct 114,687 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines and 776,330 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of transformation capacity (220 kilovolt/kV and above voltage levels) by 2027 to meet the additional increase in demand. This massive expansion will require an investment of Rs 4.25 trillion in power transmission infrastructure.

The government, through its Smart Meter National Program (SMNP) and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), has been pushing for the complete digitalization of the power sector. These initiatives aim to modernize the entire value chain, from generation to distribution.

Digitization becomes even more crucial as India increases its share of renewable energy in the power mix. With its decentralized and variable nature, renewable energy-based power generation and transmission further amplifies the complexity, requiring grids to adapt to fluctuating inputs from wind farms, solar installations, and other green energy sources.

While digitization holds immense potential, its implementation faces several challenges. Key hurdles include high initial investment costs, the need for robust cybersecurity measures, and compatibility issues between modern technologies and existing legacy systems. Additionally, ensuring equitable energy access requires that grid upgrades extend to remote and underserved communities.

Despite these challenges, the digitalization of the power transmission and distribution system remains a critical necessity. It is key to achieving the national goal of supplying electricity to everyone round-the-clock and promoting the nation’s rapid socioeconomic development. As India continues on this digital journey, it is poised to create a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy future for its growing population and economy.

THE SNAPSHOTS

Sign up to get quick snaps of everyday happening, directly in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

- Advertisement -

Support our independent journalism PayPal (Outside India) For PayU (For Indian Readers).

Rohin Agarwal
Rohin Agarwal
Rohin Agarwal, Vice President, Avener Capital

More Latest Stories

More Articles

12 Eye-Popping Hacks to Make Your Next Business Presentation Sparkle

Business presentations are often necessary to gain new clients and showcase what it is you can offer, but more often than not, they end...

The Long-Term Power of Investing: Selecting Undervalued Industries

Investing can seem overwhelming, especially for beginners, as the numerous options and strategies available can make it easy to feel unsure about where to start. However, one time-tested method that stands out is long-term investing—focusing on companies and industries with the potential for growth...

The Impact of EdTech on Student Outcomes in Higher Education

The introduction of interactive whiteboards in the early 1990s marked a major shift in...

Meta Legal Head Offloads Shares worth $577K

Meta Platforms Inc.’s (NASDAQ: META) Chief Legal Officer, Jennifer Newstead, has sold 921 shares,...

HR Chief Amy Coleman Reports Over 46,000 Microsoft Shares in SEC Filing

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Chief Human Resources Officer, Amy Coleman, has reported her stock holdings...

BGC Group raises $700 Mn in bond sale to refinance debt

BGC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGC) has finalized a $700 million private offering of senior...

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Using Fonts in Your Design Projects

Fonts play a crucial role in every design project, from branding and web design...

Predictive Analytics: The Key to Supply Chain Resilience

In today’s interconnected global economy, supply chains are the lifeblood of businesses, weaving intricate...

Shell Executive Robin Mooldijk Sells €1.69 Mn in Shares

Shell plc’s Projects & Technology Director, Robin Mooldijk, has offloaded 50,000 shares in the company, amounting to approximately €1.69 million. According to the filing, the...

Empowering Growth: Boosting the Robotics Sector with Targeted Support

India's robotics sector is emerging as a key area of technological progress, driving innovation...

Software and Technology Changing the Industry

The advent of software and technological advancements has been a game-changer across various industries....

RP-Sanjiv Goenka’s Firstsource Opens ANZ HQ and AI Lab in Melbourne

Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL, BSE:532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today announced the...
00:02:53

Canada, Australia Partner to Build $6 Bn Arctic Radar System

In a bid to enhance Arctic and national security, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney...

Meta Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead Offloads Shares as Part of Trading Plan

According to regulatory filings, Jennifer Newstead, Chief Legal Officer at Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META), has divested 921 shares of the company’s Class A...

Nvidia Director Aarti Shah to Sell Shares Worth $2.37 Mn

Aarti S. Shah, a director at NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), has filed a notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to sell 20,000 shares of the company’s common stock under Rule 144. According to the Form 144 filing, submitted on March 20, 2025, Shah...

Alphabet Board Member Frances Arnold Increases Stake Following Dividend Allocation

According to a recent regulatory filing, Frances Arnold, a board member at Alphabet Inc.,...

Alphabet COA Amie Thuener O’Toole Increases Stock Holdings

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ...

Google Acquires Wiz for $32 Billion in All-Cash Deal

Google LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL) has signed a deal...

The Sustainability Imperative: How IT Distribution Is Driving Green Tech Adoption

In today's day and time sustainability is no longer just a corporate commitment, it...

The Future of Digital Payments and Cybersecurity Challenges

The future of digital payments is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changes in...

How a Money Back Policy Can Be a Smart Financial Choice?

Creating financial security involves strategic planning because investment decisions form one of the essential...

From Startup to Success: Essential Steps for Landscaping Entrepreneurs

Starting a landscaping business is so exciting, blending creativity with the reward of transforming...
00:02:23

‘Canada Ripping Us’: US President Trump Criticizes High Tariffs on Dairy and Lumber

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Canada’s high tariffs on American dairy and...

Trade War: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces 25% Tariffs On US Imports

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on U.S....

RP-Sanjiv Goenka’s Firstsource Opens ANZ HQ and AI Lab in Melbourne

Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL, BSE:532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today announced the...

Elon Musk’s X Sues Indian Govt Over Content Regulation Clash

X Corp, an Elon Musk-owned social media firm, sued the Indian government in the...

Why Smart Cities Are the Future of Water Conservation

Water conservation has become an important factor due to climate change and worsened water...

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Increases Stocks Holdings Amid Dividend Adjustment

According to a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Alphabet...

Layer PR Wins SME News UK Awards, Expands to Bengaluru

Layer PR, a global public relations firm owned by TechGraph, has secured two major...
00:02:53

Canada, Australia Partner to Build $6 Bn Arctic Radar System

In a bid to enhance Arctic and national security, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney...

‘Canada Ripping Us’: US President Trump Criticizes High Tariffs on Dairy and Lumber

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Canada’s high tariffs on American dairy and...

Trump Defends Elon Musk Plan for Federal Job Cuts; Govt Spending ‘Bloated’

Following a meeting with Elon Musk and senior cabinet members, U.S. President Donald Trump...

Trade War: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces 25% Tariffs On US Imports

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on U.S....