In a significant step towards strengthening India’s power sector, the Centre for Energy Regulation (CER) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur recently hosted the 5th Regulatory Conclave, focusing on the “Resource Adequacy Framework for Distribution Utilities: Methodological and Implementation Issues.”

The online event brought together leading experts from system operation, planning, and distribution companies (discoms), who discussed the critical challenges in implementing a comprehensive resource adequacy framework. The conclave aimed to address how to ensure a reliable power supply across the country in the future, with particular emphasis on optimizing the efficiency and sustainability of power generation and distribution.

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Dr. Srikant Nagulapalli, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Power, Government of India, attended as the Chief Guest and chaired an insightful panel discussion. The discussion, moderated by Prof. Anoop Singh, Founder and Coordinator of CER and the Energy Analytics Lab (EAL) at IIT Kanpur, featured prominent industry experts, including Ms. Ammi Ruhama Toppo, Chief Engineer at the Central Electricity Authority, Mr. Vivek Pandey, Senior General Manager at Grid Controller of India Ltd., Mr. Deepak Raizada, Chief Engineer at Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and Mr. Gurmeet Deogen, AVP (Power Management) at BSES Rajdhani Power Limited. The panel explored various methodological challenges in implementing the resource adequacy framework and emphasized the importance of building institutional capacity within distribution utilities to ensure long-term energy sustainability.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Anoop Singh said, “The successful implementation of the Resource Adequacy Framework is essential for ensuring the future stability of India’s power sector. Hosted at the Department of Management Sciences (DoMS), the Centre for Energy Regulation (CER) continues to push the boundaries of regulatory research and capacity building, supporting the adoption of innovative solutions that can enable a sustainable energy transition.”

Prof. Anoop Singh’s presentation, based on in-house research carried out at CER and EAL, highlighted the importance of resource adequacy planning (RAP) and their experience in undertaking similar studies for long-term demand forecasting in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Key implementation issues discussed during the presentation included the need for 15-minute, rather than hourly demand projections, differentiated capacity credits for seasonally driven generation resources such as hydro, wind, and solar, nationwide optimization of thermal power plant maintenance schedules to ensure higher capacity availability, and assessing the impact of alternate scenarios on final tariffs for consumers.

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IIT Kanpur, through its Centre for Energy Regulation, is at the forefront of driving critical discussions and research on India’s energy future. The 5th Regulatory Conclave highlighted the CER’s commitment to advancing resource adequacy planning and fostering collaboration between policymakers, utilities, and industry experts. By addressing the key challenges of implementing a resource adequacy framework, IIT Kanpur continues to contribute valuable insights and innovative solutions, ensuring that India’s power sector remains sustainable, resilient, and prepared for future demands.