Power Ministry Releases Voluntary Data Sharing Framework for Electricity Sector

The Ministry of Power has released a voluntary data sharing framework aimed at addressing inconsistencies in metadata across agencies and establishing a standardised classification of data within the electricity sector. The initiative is designed to enable secure, structured sharing and access to sectoral data while ensuring the protection of critical information infrastructure.

Adopting the framework, in full or in part, will be voluntary for sectoral entities such as Gencos, Discoms, transmission licensees, Load Despatch Centres, Electricity Regulatory Commissions, the Central Electricity Authority, and Grid India. Datasets designated as non-shareable by the data issuer entity will remain outside the scope of the framework to ensure the protection of sensitive data.

According to the Ministry, current challenges in power sector data include inconsistent metadata, differing data definitions, lack of standard data classification, gaps in data quality, and limited machine readability. These issues result in limited visibility for regulators, policymakers, and researchers, which impacts long-term and resource adequacy planning.

To create an ecosystem for data sharing, a National Electricity Data Division will be housed in the Central Electricity Authority. Additionally, a National Electricity Data Portal will be established by leveraging the existing National Power Portal. The division will set up and maintain the portal for publishing data and metadata of public datasets, and coordinate with the Power Ministry and sectoral data issuers on interoperability standards, API specifications, and data exchange protocols.

The framework provides broad principles and institutional mechanisms for transparent data sharing, alongside provisions for the anonymisation and de-identification of consumer or personally identifiable data by issuing entities before publication. An eight-member National Electricity Data Governance Committee, led by the Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority, will oversee the implementation and adoption of the framework, conduct annual reviews, and coordinate with the IT Ministry and Cabinet Secretariat.

At the institutional level, data-issuing entities must designate a Data Governance Officer—preferably at the level of Chief Engineer—to monitor data requests and manage non-disclosure agreements. Entities are also required to constitute a Data Governance Committee to oversee audits, manage a data-sharing risk register, and adjudicate data-breach incidents.

"The introduction of a standardized data sharing framework is a necessary step toward improving transparency and efficiency in the power sector. By addressing metadata inconsistencies and establishing clear institutional mechanisms through the Central Electricity Authority, this voluntary initiative will help regulators, policymakers, and researchers access reliable information. For businesses and infrastructure entities operating in this ecosystem, adopting structured data practices will be key to better long-term planning and resource management." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes