India's electricity grid to be more future ready, insulated from cyber attacks soon: Union Power Minister

Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 to make provisions for inspection of the national electricity grid for maintaining cyber hygiene in the network

India's power network will soon be more future-ready and insulated from cyber attacks with the provision of routine inspections and timely action under the Electricity Amendment Bill, Union Power Minister RK Singh said.

Cyber attract threat has been an issue and the government did all what it takes to address that. Now through the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, the Power Ministry has made a provision for inspection of the national electricity grid for maintaining cyber hygiene in the network.

Talking to PTI, Mr. Singh said, "We are facing cyber attacks on our power transmission system. We know from where those are emanating. We have provided (a safeguard) for that, which requires inspection regularly. We need to follow cyber hygiene.

"Therefore, we are empowering our central (National) Load Despatch Centre so that it can do inspections and give directions. We have one grid in the country and if there is some issue in one corner of the nation then the entire grid can collapse. That is why this provision is made."

The bill provides for amending section 26 of the Act so as to strengthen the functioning of the National Load Despatch Centre for ensuring the safety and security of the grid and for the economic and efficient operation of the power system in the country.

Earlier this year in April, Mr. Singh admitted that there were cyber attacks on the national power grid.

"These were probing attacks in December, January and February. They did not succeed. But we are aware," he had said.