TERI’s Institute of Energy Transition gathers momentum with government backing, MoU with BEE

KOLKATA: The The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has taken a major step toward operationalising its proposed Institute of Energy Transition (IoET) with a series of formal endorsements from the Union government and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The initiative is aimed at positioning India at the forefront of research, policy support and capacity building for the country’s clean energy and energy efficiency transition.

The momentum began in mid-2024, when TERI formally approached key ministries seeking support for setting up the Institute at its Hyderabad campus. In a letter dated September 12, 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) conveyed its in-principle support for the establishment of the Institute of Energy Transition, stating that the ministry would be happy to associate with the Institute’s activities and would like to be kept apprised of its progress. The communication was issued with the approval of the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy.

A formal endorsement from the Ministry of Power followed this. In a letter dated September 19, 2024, the ministry agreed to support TERI’s initiative through BEE and authorised the Bureau to finalise the terms of collaboration, including representation of the Secretary (Power) on the Governing Board of the proposed institute.

The government backing culminated in the signing of an MoU on January 24, 2025, between BEE and TERI to jointly establish a Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET) within TERI’s Institute of Energy Transition at Hyderabad. Under the agreement, BEE will provide financial support of Rs 5 crore per year for five years from its internal resources, subject to approval of annual action plans and budgets by the Governing Board.

According to the MoU, the CoEET is envisaged as a world-class knowledge hub focusing on cutting-edge research, technology assessment and validation, policy analysis, and capacity building related to energy transition. Its mandate includes work on emission reduction and GHG baselining, promotion of clean and low-carbon technologies, energy efficiency in buildings and industries, regulatory and policy recommendations, and training programmes to build a skilled workforce. The Centre will also examine the economic, employment and environmental impacts of the energy transition and support circular economy practices.

The CoEET will be housed at TERI’s 40-acre campus at Gopannapally village in Hyderabad, where basic infrastructure already exists. Governance will be overseen by a Governing Board chaired by the CEO of the Institute of Energy Transition, with members jointly appointed by TERI and BEE and a nominee of the Secretary (Power).

Parallel to these developments, TERI has also advanced regional implementation plans. TERI recently had a meeting with the Chairman and team of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) in Kolkata. DVC has agreed to join the initiative related to energy transition work in eastern India. TERI plans to convene a high-level roundtable in the fourth week of January 2026 with key eastern and northeastern states to build wider buy-in. DVC is expected to support initial funding for the initial engagement is planned for three years.

With formal government support, assured funding, and regional partnerships taking shape, TERI’s Institute of Energy Transition is set to become a central platform for shaping India’s policy, technology and institutional response to the energy transition challenge.