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Electronic government (e-governance) is the use of computers and the internet to give high-quality services to people, businesses, and other participants in society (Alfalah, 2021). The purpose of the e-governance implementation is to deliver effective and efficient government services to stakeholders (Shaikh et al., 2021). It can help end-users receive improved services (Abubakr & Kaya, 2021), and the government boost productivity, contributes to economic development and automates business operations and communications. As a result, the government is harnessing advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and integrating them into various sectors to increase efficiency (Verkijika & De Wet, 2018b). Integrating e-governance with modern energy management systems for the power industry is a critical step towards achieving reliable and quality services for consumers. The involvement of ICT in the power sector is enforcing infrastructure reorientation. Smart grid technology appears to be a promising solution as it makes possible to integrate renewable resources like solar, wind, and hydro-electricity etc. efficiently. The smart grid provides a bi-directional flow of information between Discoms and consumers (Alsalloum et al., 2020). Industrialists and academicians doing research in the areas like environmental sustainability, renewable energy integration, Information systems etc., presumed that it is crucial to take steps toward global warming and greenhouse gas emission (Arent et al., 2011). Unlike today’s grid, where consumers are passively related to their electricity consumption, in the smart grid, consumers are expected to participate actively in energy management (Kolhe, 2012). Due to the numerous benefits promised by smart grid technology (SGT), many countries are actively working on various smart grid pilot projects. These pilot projects have given many useful insights about the SGT and the role of government policies in its successful implementation.
Further, smart grid infrastructures can play a key role in transforming the electric grid into a sustainable system which will provide increased energy efficiency, low carbon footprint systems, increased security and reliability etc. Smart grid technologies includes smart meters, geographic information systems, distribution automation etc., which have enabled various services for citizens and administration, which will help in building automation, mobility, gas and water interoperability etc. (Julsrud & Krogstad, 2020). These services will also provide an infrastructure for smart cities. Smart cities are urbanisation projects utilising cutting-edge technologies to efficiently utilise resources and services (Amado et al., 2016). The development of smart cities might be seen as a midway step to become a digital nation. The development of smart city is restricted to a city, whereas the digital nation covers the whole country. In order to become a digital nation, various institutions, including those in urban and rural areas, must undergo national transformation. The success of digital technology depends on the application of borderless technology. Municipalities could utilise the infrastructure established by utilities for smart grids to implement other vital services, such as smart city lighting, traffic, and water solutions.