New Delhi : Forum of Regulators successfully held its landmark 100th meeting at Bharat Mandapam, marking a major milestone in its 21-year journey of strengthening and coordinating regulatory practices in India’s power sector. Established in 2005, the Forum of Regulators (FOR) functions as a statutory platform that brings together the Central and State electricity regulatory commissions to promote policy coordination, regulatory reforms, and sectoral development across the country.
Over the past two decades, the Forum has played a significant role in shaping India’s power sector through research, policy recommendations, and institutional capacity building. Since its inception, FOR has conducted 71 studies, organised 55 capacity-building programmes, issued 25 model regulations, and produced 6 technical committee reports along with 37 working group reports. These initiatives have contributed substantially to improving regulatory frameworks, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting the transformation of the Indian power sector.
The landmark event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India; V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India; and Ajay Shankar, Distinguished Speaker at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), who attended the programme as chief guests. The session commenced with a welcome address by Jishnu Barua, Chairperson of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Forum of Regulators, who welcomed the guests and members of the Forum to the historic gathering.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. P. K. Mishra reflected on the remarkable progress achieved by India’s power sector over the past decade and acknowledged the critical role played by the Forum of Regulators in driving reforms and strengthening governance in the sector. He stated that important policy issues such as open access, tariff rationalisation, and the unbundling of utilities were debated and refined through the Forum’s collaborative efforts. According to Dr. Mishra, FOR has evolved into an important institution that continues to guide the sector through complex regulatory and operational challenges while supporting India’s broader energy transition goals.
During the event, Dr. Mishra also launched the “Forum of Regulators Coffee Table Book,” a commemorative publication documenting the Forum’s journey, achievements, contributions, and future vision for India’s power sector. The publication highlights the Forum’s role in supporting reforms, encouraging best practices, and facilitating cooperation among electricity regulators across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran discussed the changing global geopolitical environment and its implications for India’s energy security and economic growth. He highlighted the important role of the power sector in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening India’s position in the evolving global energy landscape. Meanwhile, Shri Ajay Shankar spoke about India’s commitment towards achieving net-zero emissions and stressed the importance of drawing lessons from the country’s ongoing solar energy mission. He also highlighted the need for accelerated decarbonisation efforts and innovative policy interventions to support sustainable energy development.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Harpreet Singh Pruthi, Secretary of CERC and FOR, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, regulators, and participants for contributing to the successful conduct of the Forum’s 100th meeting and for their continued support in advancing India’s power sector reforms and regulatory excellence.