New Delhi: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the report of the Expert Committee on Energy Statistics, recommending a series of reforms to strengthen India’s energy data framework and support evidence-based policymaking as the country advances towards its renewable energy and net-zero goals.
The committee, chaired by Dr. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, reviewed the country’s energy statistics system and suggested measures to improve data quality, harmonisation and consistency across ministries.
Among its key recommendations, the panel called for adopting international standards in energy data collection and classification, including alignment with the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC), National Industrial Classification (NIC)-2025, and the Standard International Energy Product Classification (SIEC). It also recommended uniform energy conversion factors across ministries to ensure consistency in official statistics.
The committee proposed methodologies to bridge major data gaps, including estimating sector-wise consumption of imported coal and domestically auctioned coal, using the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) database. It also recommended that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) maintain a comprehensive database under the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme.
To improve electricity statistics, the report suggested using ASI data to estimate industry-wise electricity consumption. It also recommended new methodologies to measure biofuel consumption, captive and off-grid electricity generation, and electric vehicle (EV) electricity consumption—areas where national-level data is currently limited.
The panel noted that the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD) currently estimates biofuels account for around 31–34 per cent of India’s total annual energy consumption due to the absence of comprehensive domestic data. It recommended developing an indigenous methodology to accurately incorporate biofuel use into India’s Energy Balance.
MoSPI said the recommendations are aimed at improving the reliability, comparability and analytical value of India’s energy statistics while supporting better monitoring of the country’s evolving energy landscape. The ministry added that successful implementation would require continued coordination among energy ministries and other stakeholders to build a robust and internationally comparable energy statistics framework.
