IIT Delhi launches Centre of Excellence for regulatory affairs in power sector

IIT Delhi inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for regulatory affairs in the power sector today on January 19, with union power minister Manohar Lal launching the initiative.

The CoE will undertake multidisciplinary work spanning power sector regulation, market design, grid operations, energy transition challenges, decarbonisation pathways, digitalisation, and emerging technologies such as energy storage, demand response and green hydrogen.

It will also support regulators and system operators with evidence-based analytical inputs and structured training programmes for power sector professionals, the official press note said.

The Centre has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid India), the press release said.

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It is envisaged as a national-level hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support and knowledge dissemination, aimed at strengthening India’s regulatory capacity in a rapidly evolving power sector characterised by growing electricity demand, large-scale renewable energy integration, expanding power markets and increased use of digital technologies, the official release added.

Inaugurating the CoE, Manohar Lal said the initiative comes at a time when “strong regulation backed by knowledge and research becomes essential.”

He added that the Centre at IIT Delhi will support “informed and forward-looking regulation” as India transitions towards clean energy, competitive markets and consumer-centric reforms.

IIT Delhi CoE: Power regulation

The official note said the CoE will work closely with CERC and Grid India to identify regulatory and sectoral challenges, support human resource development, and promote knowledge management and dissemination.

It will also undertake cutting-edge research supported by global academic and policy networks, while providing advisory and consultancy support to regulators and other power sector stakeholders, according to the press release.

The centre’s work is expected to contribute to policy and regulatory decision-making by addressing the power sector trilemma of affordability, sustainability and efficiency, the official release said.

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It also aims to strengthen institutional capacity in distribution utilities and regulatory commissions and equip policymakers with analytical tools and India-wide system models to evaluate regulatory proposals through the lens of consumer welfare, system reliability and investment signals, the note added.

IIT Delhi director Rangan Banerjee said the institute is “delighted to be partnering with CERC and GRID India,” adding that it aims to generate knowledge to make the electricity sector “sustainable, affordable and future ready”.

CERC chairperson Jishnu Barua said the CoE would strengthen evidence-based policymaking, stressing that “good regulation must be supported by sound analysis, data and long-term thinking,” the official note said.