Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

MoSPI Releases Roadmap to Modernise India's Energy Statistics and Strengthen Clean Energy Planning

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the report of the Expert Committee on Energy Statistics, presenting a comprehensive roadmap to modernise India's energy data ecosystem through harmonised methodologies, improved data collection, and alignment with international statistical standards. The recommendations are aimed at enhancing the accuracy, consistency, and transparency of energy data to support evidence-based policymaking and India's transition toward a low-carbon economy.

As India accelerates the deployment of renewable energy, expands clean mobility, and works towards its long-term Net Zero emissions target by 2070, the demand for reliable and internationally comparable energy statistics has become increasingly important. The ministry noted that a stronger statistical framework would enable better monitoring of energy production, consumption, efficiency, and emissions while supporting planning across the power, industrial, and transport sectors.

The committee was chaired by Dr. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and included representatives from key energy ministries along with experts from institutions such as The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE). It conducted a comprehensive review of India's existing energy statistics system, examining definitions, classifications, estimation methods, data sources, and inconsistencies across multiple government agencies.

One of the committee's primary recommendations is the adoption of globally recognised statistical standards to improve consistency and international comparability. It has proposed aligning India's energy statistics with the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Rev. 5, National Industrial Classification (NIC)-2025, and the Standard International Energy Product Classification (SIEC). The report also recommends using uniform energy conversion factors across all ministries dealing with energy data to eliminate inconsistencies in official publications.

To improve the quality of coal consumption statistics, the committee has suggested a refined methodology for estimating sector-wise end use of imported coal, which accounts for nearly 20 percent of India's total coal consumption. It also proposes improving estimates for domestically auctioned coal that is currently grouped under miscellaneous categories by using data from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI). In addition, the committee has recommended that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) establish and maintain a comprehensive database under the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme to strengthen industrial energy efficiency data.

The report also highlights the need for better electricity consumption statistics. It recommends leveraging the Annual Survey of Industries database to generate more detailed industry-wise electricity consumption estimates, enabling policymakers to better understand sectoral demand patterns and identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.

A major focus of the report is addressing the absence of official national data on biofuel consumption. Currently, international estimates prepared by the United Nations Statistical Division suggest that biofuels contribute approximately 31–34 percent of India's annual energy consumption, largely due to the widespread use of traditional biomass in households. The committee has proposed a comprehensive methodology for incorporating biofuel consumption into India's official Energy Balance, providing a more accurate picture of the country's energy mix.

The expert panel has also identified significant data gaps relating to captive power generation, off-grid electricity production, and electric vehicle (EV) electricity consumption. As these segments continue to expand with the growth of distributed renewable energy and electric mobility, the committee has recommended introducing an initial methodological framework to estimate these categories, with further refinement through stakeholder consultations and future research before they are formally integrated into national energy accounts.

Reliable energy statistics are becoming increasingly critical as India pursues ambitious targets of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030, expands battery energy storage, modernises its electricity grid, and promotes green hydrogen and clean manufacturing. A robust statistical framework will help governments, regulators, investors, researchers, and industry participants make informed decisions while improving transparency and enabling more effective tracking of the country's energy transition.

According to MoSPI, implementing the committee's recommendations will require sustained coordination among central ministries, state agencies, research institutions, and other stakeholders. The ministry believes that developing an integrated and internationally comparable energy statistics system will significantly strengthen India's ability to monitor its evolving energy landscape, evaluate policy outcomes, and support long-term sustainable economic growth.