IIT Delhi launches Centre of Excellence for power sector regulation

Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) on 19 January 2026. The Centre has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India).

The CoE aims to strengthen regulatory capacity in the power sector amid rising electricity demand, large-scale renewable energy integration, expanding power markets and growing use of digital technologies. It brings together academic research, regulation and system operations within a single institutional framework.

Envisaged as a national-level hub, the Centre will focus on regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support and knowledge dissemination. It will work closely with CERC and Grid India to identify key regulatory challenges, support human resource development, and enhance institutional capabilities across the sector. The Centre will also provide research-based advisory and consultancy support to regulators and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the inauguration, Manohar Lal said strong regulation supported by research and analysis is essential as India moves towards clean energy, competitive markets and consumer-centric reforms. He said the Centre would support informed and forward-looking regulatory decision-making.

The CoE’s work will address issues of affordability, sustainability and efficiency in the power sector. It will develop analytical tools and system models to assess regulatory proposals from the perspective of consumer interest, system reliability and investment signals. The Centre is also expected to contribute to ongoing power sector reforms as solar and wind energy become mainstream.

Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, said the institute aims to support a sustainable and affordable electricity sector while strengthening regulatory capacity. Jishnu Barua, Chairman, CERC, said the Centre would reinforce evidence-based policymaking. S C Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director, Grid India, said operational insights would help align regulatory frameworks with grid realities.

The CoE will undertake multidisciplinary research covering power sector regulation, market design, grid operations, energy transition challenges, digitalisation and emerging technologies such as energy storage, demand response and green hydrogen. It will also run structured training programmes for power sector professionals.

Photo Source: @mlkhattar/x