In a significant boost to India's clean energy ambitions, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has secured crucial government endorsements and a major funding partnership to launch its proposed Institute of Energy Transition (IoET). This move aims to establish a premier hub for research and policy to steer the nation's shift towards sustainable energy.
Government Backing and Key MoU with BEE
The journey gained momentum in mid-2024 when TERI sought support from key Union ministries. The initiative first received in-principle approval from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in a letter dated September 12, 2024. The ministry expressed its willingness to associate with the institute's activities.
This was followed by a formal endorsement from the Ministry of Power on September 19, 2024. The ministry authorized the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to collaborate and represent the Secretary (Power) on the institute's Governing Board.
The backing culminated in the signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 24, 2025, between BEE and TERI. Under this agreement, a Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET) will be established within TERI's IoET in Hyderabad. BEE will provide financial support of Rs 5 crore per year for five years, totaling Rs 25 crore, from its internal resources, pending annual plan approvals.
Vision and Mandate of the New Centre
Envisaged as a world-class knowledge hub, the CoEET will focus on several critical areas to accelerate India's energy transition. Its core mandate includes:
- Cutting-edge research and technology assessment for clean energy.
- Policy analysis and regulatory recommendations.
- Work on emission reduction and greenhouse gas (GHG) baselining.
- Promoting energy efficiency in buildings and industries.
- Developing training programs to build a skilled workforce.
- Examining the economic, employment, and environmental impacts of the transition.
The Centre will be located at TERI's existing 40-acre campus in Gopannapally village, Hyderabad. Its Governing Board will be chaired by the CEO of the IoET, with members jointly appointed by TERI and BEE, including a nominee of the Secretary (Power).
Expanding Reach: Eastern India Partnerships
Parallel to the national-level developments, TERI is also forging regional partnerships. The institute recently held a meeting with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) in Kolkata. DVC has agreed to join initiatives focused on energy transition work in eastern India.
To build wider consensus, TERI plans to convene a high-level roundtable in the fourth week of January 2026 with key eastern and northeastern states. DVC is expected to support initial funding for this engagement, which is planned for a duration of three years.
With formal government support, assured funding from BEE, and strategic regional partnerships taking shape, TERI's Institute of Energy Transition is poised to become a central platform for shaping India's policy, technological, and institutional response to the global energy transition challenge.
