Centre for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Roorkee to strengthen power sector regulatory ecosystem: Lal

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The Union minister of Power Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre for Regulatory Affairs (CRA) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee on Friday. A joint initiative of the Forum of Regulators (FOR) and IIT Roorkee, the centre is aimed at strengthening the nation’s regulatory ecosystem in the power sector. FOR is a statutory body in India that brings together Central and State electricity regulators to coordinate, harmonise and improve regulatory practices across the power sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Lal said that this is the second such centre being established in collaboration with an IIT. Earlier, a similar centre of excellence had been established with IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Grid Controller of India Limited to further strengthen research, capacity building, and regulatory excellence in the sector.

The inauguration of the centre in Roorkee marks an important step towards 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 increasing use of digital technologies.

“I expect the centre to carry critical discussions like regulatory sandboxing and demand flexibility forward and help translate them into strategic tools of the power sector in the times to come. IIT Roorkee, with its established repute, should aim to indulge in original research that not only deepens understanding of the evolving scenario but also drives the development of innovative and transformative technologies for future,” he said.

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission/FOR chairman Jishnu Barua said, “The FOR envisions the centre to strive and establish itself as a leading hub for regulatory capacity building across the broader Indian industry. By producing high-quality research, publications and knowledge resources, it can showcase India’s experience and thought leadership in managing a large, complex and rapidly evolving power sector”.

IIT Roorkee director KK Pant said, “India’s transition toward a resilient, intelligent and sustainable energy ecosystem requires strong regulatory innovation backed by research and institutional collaboration. The CRA here will serve as a multidisciplinary platform connecting academia, regulators, policymakers and industry to address emerging challenges in energy transition and infrastructure governance,” he said.

CRA is envisaged as a national-level hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support and knowledge dissemination. By locating the centre within a premier academic institution and anchoring it through close collaboration with FOR, the initiative brings together policy, regulation and academic research in a single institutional framework. The centre is expected to deepen understanding of regulatory frameworks across Central and State commissions and key stakeholders, while identifying gaps and undertaking studies on critical issues such as discom viability, energy markets, energy transition and cost optimisation. It will also foster collaboration with leading institutions, organise training and seminars and offer higher education programmes, including a postgraduate degree in Energy Planning and Regulation, to build a strong pool of skilled professionals across the sector.