The central government will bring in artificial intelligence (AI) via the established information technology (IT) companies and startups to resolve the Indian power sector’s ailing issue, i.e. steep distribution losses.

The intention is to well arm the Discoms to carry out decisions on important matters like demand forecasting, differential tariff in a day, renewable energy integration and loss reduction through the use of advanced technologies.

Technology service providers will use elements like machine learning, AI, internet of things (IoT) and blockchain in the power distribution sector to analyse data that will be available through the implementation of metering of consumers, transformers and also the feeders in the distribution areas.

A number of technology service providers, with a mix of both established players as well as startups, will be shortlisted to resolve specific problem areas in certain identified discoms. The selected startups will also be provided a grant of up to Rs 40 lakh for the purpose.

“Huge data will be thrown up when we implement smart meters in a time-bound manner. We are conscious that this data should be analysed intelligently in a way that it leads to good actionable points for the utility managers and for the policy makers,” Union Power Secretary Alok Kumar was quoted in a report by the Economic Times.