AI Applications in Power Sector Focus on Practical Improvements

Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik stated that the success of artificial intelligence (AI) in the power sector will be determined by its practical improvements. He made these remarks at the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) 53rd Foundation Day event in New Delhi. Naik stressed the need to transition from building larger power systems to creating smarter, more responsive, and resilient ones.

Naik noted that India achieved 50 percent non-fossil installed power capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 commitment. He identified the subsequent challenge as intelligently managing the increasingly complex power system. Potential AI applications include predicting equipment failures, enhancing solar and wind generation forecasts, reducing distribution losses, and accelerating electricity supply restoration.

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Chairperson Jishnu Barua mentioned that India's data center capacity has reached nearly 15 GW. Barua projected that AI, including data centers, could add 26.5 GW to the country’s power demand by 2031-32. He also cautioned against uncritical reliance on AI outputs due to risks such as hallucination and algorithmic bias.

DEE Development Engineers Signs Framework Agreement for Indian Nuclear Projects

DEE Development Engineers Ltd. announced a framework agreement with a domestic engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor. This collaboration aims to pursue business opportunities within India's nuclear power sector.

Under the agreement, DEE Development Engineers will serve as a strategic partner, offering pre-bid support, design and engineering services, manufacturing, supply, and sourcing of piping products, along with technical documentation. The partnership will target both ongoing and future nuclear power projects developed by public and private entities in India.

The agreement encompasses projects involving pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), light water reactors (LWRs), and small modular reactors (SMRs). The focus areas include the Nuclear Island, covering primary piping and common services, and the Turbine Island, which involves secondary cycle piping and light water systems.

DEE Development Engineers' manufacturing and supply responsibilities will include seamless and welded pipes, forged fittings, flanges, custom bends, pipe supports, venturis, flow nozzles, and other specialized piping components. The company will also provide quality assurance documentation, manufacturing and testing procedures, project schedules, and final technical documentation.

AI to Enhance Electricity Supply Reliability and Prevent Disruptions

Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can prevent power supply disruptions. Speaking at a power sector event focused on AI, Naik explained that the technology can identify issues within the electricity network and predict transformer failures before they occur. This proactive approach is intended to help authorities implement preventive measures, thereby improving the continuity of electricity supply and reducing disruptions caused by infrastructure failures.

Naik emphasized that AI can identify potential faults in advance, allowing for quicker restoration of electricity supply following an incident. The objective is to ensure uninterrupted electricity to every household. Discussions at the event highlighted AI's role in addressing existing shortcomings in the power sector and supporting the goal of providing clean and affordable electricity.

The minister also addressed the importance of energy storage for renewable sources like solar and wind power, which have variable generation. He noted that the government is considering measures, including subsidies, to facilitate battery storage. India has achieved 308 GW of renewable energy capacity, and work on power storage, particularly battery storage, is underway to ensure renewable electricity availability during peak demand hours and when generation is low.