Union Minister Manohar Lal Chairs Regional Power Meet with Eastern States
Power for All, at All Times” – India Charts a Future-Ready Power Roadmap
The Impressive TimesPatna | June 24, 2025- The Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, chaired the Regional Power Conference in Patna for Eastern Region States and Union Territories. The session saw high-level participation, including Central and State ministers, officials, and power sector stakeholders.
In his opening address, Manohar Lal stated that India now operates under a unified ‘One Nation, One Grid’ model. The country met a peak demand of 250 GW in May 2024, and 242 GW so far in 2025, with expectations to touch 270 GW later this year. This shows India’s transformation from a power-deficit country to a power-surplus nation.
To meet rising energy demands, the Minister advised States to:
Ensure resource adequacy by tying up future power generation capacities.
Diversify energy mix, including nuclear energy. Every state should aim to host at least one nuclear power plant.
Resolve issues in intra-state transmission, including land and forest clearances.
Use the ₹1.5 lakh crore interest-free loan announced in Budget 2025–26 for strengthening power infrastructure.
Promote Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) for building transmission systems.
India’s renewable energy share rose from 32% in 2014 to 49% in April 2025. Manohar Lal emphasized:
Accelerated Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compliance by states.
Integrating energy storage systems with renewable projects.
National ambition to achieve 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
Formation of dedicated state-level teams to plan clean energy transition.
The Minister highlighted the growing risk of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. He called for:
Implementation of Power Islanding Schemes to protect against cyber incidents.
Strengthening security protocols for grid stability.
India’s power distribution network needs an investment of ₹42 lakh crore by 2032, but faces losses due to:
Poor tariff structures
Delayed government payments
Low billing and collection efficiency
States were urged to:
Reduce AT&C losses (Aggregate Technical & Commercial)
Close the gap between Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realized (ARR)
Work with Electricity Regulatory Commissions for cost-reflective tariffs
To modernize the sector, the Minister directed states to:
Fast-track smart meter installation under RDSS
Achieve 100% prepaid smart meter coverage in government buildings by August 2025
Complete smart metering for commercial, industrial, and high-load consumers by November 2025
He said smart meters will enable better consumer engagement using AI and ML-based analytics, while ensuring timely revenue collection.
Manohar Lal assured the states of continued Central Government support to achieve the goal of “Power for All, at All Times.” He also emphasized setting up nuclear power projects in every state and speeding up forest clearances for transmission lines.
Shripad Yesso Naik, MoS for Power & Renewable Energy, urged early implementation of PM KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana by December 2025.
Power Secretary, GoI, encouraged development of both Inter- and Intra-State transmission through multiple financing options.
States were advised to strengthen cybersecurity, monetize existing assets, and ensure financial health of utilities.
The conference concluded with a strong message of collaboration, resilience, and reform, as India targets a robust, clean, and affordable energy future by 2047.
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