New Delhi: In a major step towards advancing India’s energy transition and strengthening institutional collaboration, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. The agreement aims to promote capacity building, collaborative research, and knowledge sharing in the power and energy sector.
MoU Signed to Foster Academia-Industry Collaboration
The MoU was formally signed by Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of CEA, and Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee. The event witnessed participation from Members of CEA (Planning/Hydro/GO&D), Chief Engineer (ET&I), Secretary of CEA, and senior faculty and officials from both institutions.
This partnership reflects a growing emphasis on fostering academia-government collaboration to develop innovative energy solutions aligned with India’s decarbonization and sustainability goals.
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Key Objectives of the MoU
The MoU outlines several high-impact objectives:
- Capacity Building: CEA personnel will gain access to IIT Roorkee’s vast knowledge base through short-term project assignments and online courses.
- Collaborative Research: Joint research and policy studies will be undertaken to address critical challenges in India’s energy landscape.
- Sustainable Development: The partnership aims to accelerate progress in areas such as energy efficiency, water neutrality, and just transition.
- Net-Zero Commitment: Support India’s national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 or earlier through targeted interventions and research.
Areas of Cooperation
The MoU outlines a wide array of technical and policy focus areas:
- Development and optimization of hydropower and pumped storage solutions
- Decarbonization strategies for the power sector
- Integration of renewable energy, including flexibility mechanisms and distributed generation
- Emerging clean technologies such as green hydrogen, e-mobility, and energy storage
- Climate risk assessments for energy infrastructure
- Creation of emission inventories and pollution estimation models
- Formulation of standards for electric vehicles and battery recycling
- Enhancing the quality and reliability of power supply
Additionally, both institutions will collaborate on data sharing, access to technical facilities, and dissemination of research outcomes, with proper safeguards to maintain confidentiality.
Strengthening India’s Energy Future
This MoU reinforces the Government of India’s strategic focus on building strong linkages between academic institutions and regulatory authorities. The aim is to drive technological advancements, inform policy formulation, and provide practical training to professionals in the power sector.
Through this collaboration, IIT Roorkee and CEA aspire to not only address current energy challenges but also proactively shape the country’s clean energy transition and sustainable power systems of the future.
About CEA
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory body in India established under the Electricity Act of 2003. It advises the central government on policies and plans for developing the electricity system, aiming to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. The CEA also monitors projects, disseminates information, and works to improve human resource skills within the power sector.
About IIT Roorkee
IIT Roorkee, established in 1847 as the first engineering college in India, is now a premier institution of national importance. It was initially known as Roorkee College, then Thomason College of Civil Engineering, and later became the University of Roorkee before being designated as an IIT in 2001. The institute is renowned for its contributions to engineering and technology, and it offers a wide range of programs in engineering, sciences, humanities, and management.
