Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in Power Sector Launched at IIT Delhi to Strengthen India’s Energy Future
New Delhi: In a forward-looking initiative aimed at bolstering India’s rapidly evolving power sector, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector was formally inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on January 19, 2026. The launch, officiated by Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar, marks a significant milestone in enhancing regulatory research, capacity building, and evidence-based policy support across the nation’s energy landscape.
The CoE has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) — India’s statutory power sector regulator — and Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India), which operates major grid functions in the national electricity network. This collaborative institutional framework brings together academic excellence, regulatory insight, and system-level operational expertise to support and strengthen India’s regulatory capacity amid transformative changes in the sector.
Against the backdrop of a power sector undergoing significant transformation — propelled by rising electricity demand, large-scale integration of renewable energy, expanding electricity markets, and the increasing role of digital technologies — the CoE aims to serve as a national hub for regulatory research and capacity building. It is designed to support regulators, policymakers, and utilities in navigating technical, market, and policy challenges with robust analytical tools and evidence-based insights.
Bridging Policy, Research and Practice
Located within one of India’s premier technological institutes, the Centre will undertake multidisciplinary research covering areas such as power sector regulations, market design, grid operations, decarbonisation pathways, digitalisation, and emerging technologies like energy storage and green hydrogen. This comprehensive research agenda aligns with broader national goals of a clean energy transition and a more competitive, consumer-centric power sector.
According to the Ministry of Power, the CoE will also provide advisory and consultancy support to regulatory bodies and other stakeholders in the power ecosystem. It will act as a knowledge repository, facilitate global academic and policy linkages, and develop structured training programmes for regulators, distribution utilities, system operators, and power sector professionals.
In his remarks at the launch event, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar emphasised that as India accelerates its transition toward cleaner energy sources, competitive markets and consumer-focused reforms require strong regulation backed by research and data. Establishing the CoE at this juncture, he noted, will play a pivotal role in enabling informed and forward-looking regulation that supports sustainable and equitable growth in the sector.
Strengthening Evidence-Based Decision-Making
The Centre’s work will directly support policy and regulatory decision-making by addressing the power sector trilemma — balancing affordability, sustainability, and efficiency. It aims to equip regulators and policymakers with robust analytical tools and nationwide system models to evaluate proposals through lenses such as consumer welfare, system reliability, and investment signals. This approach is expected to help strike a judicious balance between operational soundness, economic viability, and long-term sectoral objectives.
Voices from Academia and Regulation
Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the Institute’s commitment to generating new knowledge and analysis that can help the Indian electricity sector become sustainable, affordable and future-ready. He also highlighted the Centre’s role in enhancing regulatory organisations and professional capacities.
Jishnu Barua, Chairman of CERC, underscored that sound regulation must be built on data, rigorous analysis, and long-term thinking. He noted that the Centre will deepen regulatory research and support evidence-based policymaking — a crucial foundation as the power sector adapts to emerging market structures and technological shifts.
S. C. Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director of Grid India, added that regulatory frameworks must reflect the realities of grid operations. By linking operational insights with research and market design, the CoE is expected to strengthen the connection between theory and practice, enhancing both regulatory and operational effectiveness.
Addressing the Future of Power Regulation
The establishment of this Centre of Excellence positions India to better address the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the current energy transition. As renewable energy technologies like solar and wind gain prominence, and innovations such as energy storage, demand response, and digital grid solutions become mainstream, informed regulatory frameworks will be essential to maintain system reliability, attract investment, and protect consumers.
In a sector where technological evolution and policy innovation are tightly interwoven, the Centre represents a strategic nexus for knowledge generation, capacity building and collaborative problem-solving. Its launch reflects a shared vision among academia, regulators, and system operators to build a resilient, efficient and future-ready power ecosystem for India.
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