New Delhi, June 26, 2026 — The Ashoka Centre for a People-centric Energy Transition (ACPET) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate research, innovation, and capacity building across India’s energy and power sector. The collaboration aims to create scalable solutions that support the country’s broader energy transition goals.
The partnership unites ACPET’s expertise in research, data analysis, energy policy, and sustainable transitions with Tata Power-DDL’s operational experience as a leading Indian power distribution utility. Joint activities will include research projects, technology demonstrations, policy engagement, and knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to build a more sustainable, secure, and equitable energy future.
This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for India’s power sector, which is undergoing rapid technological and regulatory transformation. Key focus areas include smart grids, electric vehicles, distributed energy resources, energy storage, demand-side management, and consumer engagement. The MoU creates a structured platform for both organizations to explore these opportunities and contribute to industry best practices.
Specific initiatives under the partnership include joint research and learning, development of policy briefs and technical reports, expert dialogues, training programs, and the potential establishment of a Centre of Excellence to drive innovation and strengthen institutional capabilities.
“India’s energy transition presents a unique opportunity to bring together research, policy, innovation and real-world implementation. As the sector evolves over the coming years, meaningful progress will depend on stronger collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, startups and innovators,” said Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power.
“Technology alone will not deliver India’s energy transition — the human capacity to deploy, operate, and innovate around that technology is equally decisive. This partnership between Tata Power-DDL and ACPET brings together operational depth and research rigour to address both,” said Vaibhav Chowdhary, Director, ACPET.
“India’s electricity sector is undergoing a profound transformation. We want renewable energy to scale rapidly, but we also recognise that transitions of this magnitude are shaped by historical realities, market dynamics, and technological constraints. Together, we can bridge evidence and practice to shape more effective pathways for India’s energy transition,” added Rakesh Kacker, Senior Advisor, ACPET.
“The power sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by rapid technological advancements, growing renewable energy integration, distributed energy resources, and evolving consumer expectations. Our partnership with ACPET will bring together industry experience and academic excellence to develop innovative solutions, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks, and contribute meaningfully to India’s energy transition journey,” said Dwijadas Basak, CEO, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL).
Under the agreement, Tata Power-DDL will support dedicated research personnel and provide infrastructure access, while both institutions will jointly design and implement research projects, consumer awareness programs, and disseminate outcomes. A Joint Steering Committee with representatives from both organizations will provide strategic oversight.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing the complex technological, regulatory, and societal dimensions of the energy transition, contributing to India’s vision of a sustainable and secure energy future.
About Tata Power-DDL
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited is a joint venture between Tata Power and the Government of NCT of Delhi. It distributes electricity in North Delhi, serving a population of around 9 million. The utility has been a frontrunner in power distribution reforms, achieving a record reduction in Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses from 53% in July 2002 to 5.42% today. It has been awarded the highest ‘A+’ rating by the Ministry of Power under the Consumer Service Rating of Discoms (CSRD) framework for FY 2024–25.
About ACPET
The Ashoka Centre for a People-centric Energy Transition (ACPET) supports energy transition toward a net-zero economy, addressing critical knowledge gaps for India and the Global South. ACPET builds context-responsive, people-centric frameworks and solutions that advance economic, social, and governance pillars of sustainable growth. It collaborates with industry, government, and community leaders to test and evaluate practical interventions.
For more information, visit acpet.ashoka.edu.in.