CEA, the apex technical organization under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, celebrated its 52nd Foundation Day on October 11, 2025 at the Auditorium, Library Building, Central Water Commission (CWC), R.K. Puram, Sector-1, New Delhi with an aim to deliberate on the Road Map for development of 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047 in the country in alignment with its long-term energy and climate objectives.

Working towards the vision of ensuring reliable 24×7 power supply of adequate quality to all consumers in the country, the CEA has been at the forefront of the evolution of the power sector in India, with its pivotal role in planning and managing the country's electricity needs. Over the last five decades of its history, the Authority has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring reliable and sustainable power supply to the nation.

The event was held in the gracious presence of Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Senior officials from the Ministry of Power, Public Sector Undertakings, State Utilities, Industry Associations, and officers and staff of CEA participated in the celebration.

In his address, Shri Pankaj Agarwal commended the outstanding contribution of CEA in the coordinated development of the Indian power sector. He highlighted CEA’s instrumental role in policy formulation, power system planning, and promoting technological innovation to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply for the nation. He emphasized that as India moves towards achieving its ‘Net-Zero by 2070’ commitment, CEA’s leadership will be crucial in enabling large-scale renewable integration, advancing nuclear capacity, and enhancing grid security and resilience.

Delivering the welcome address, Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA, recalled the Authority’s journey since its inception in 1973. He highlighted the Authority’s achievements in generation and transmission planning, formulation of technical standards, and modernization of the electricity grid. He underscored the growing importance of data-driven decision-making, digitalization, and innovation in steering India’s power sector towards sustainability and efficiency.

As part of the Foundation Day celebration, a series of significant releases and launches were made by the Chief Guest and Chairperson, CEA:

1. Release of ‘Vidyut Vahini’ — Hindi Quarterly Magazine (Special Edition) on “Contribution of Nuclear Energy in Electricity Sector”, published by CEA.

2. Release of “Road Map for Achieving the Goal of 100 GW of Nuclear Capacity by 2047”, outlining the strategic pathway to expand India’s nuclear generation capacity in alignment with its long-term energy and climate objectives.

3. Release of “Master Plan for Evacuation of Power from Hydroelectric Plants in the Brahmaputra Basin”, outlines the phased transmission infrastructure needed to support the evacuation of approximately 65 GW of hydroelectric capacity and will serve as a valuable guide for hydro power developers in planning and phasing their projects.

4. Launch of the “Electrical Accident Data Monitoring System (EADMS)” Portal, a digital initiative of CEA designed to create a centralized platform for reporting, analyzing, and minimising electrical accidents across the country, thereby strengthening safety monitoring and policy interventions.

On the occasion, Shri Pankaj Agarwal also gave awards for outstanding contribution to power sector to the outstanding officers of CEA.

As part of the technical deliberations, a special session on “Nuclear Energy for Net-Zero: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways” was also organized. The session featured distinguished speakers and domain experts.

Dr. R. B. Grover, Member, Atomic Energy Commission and Emeritus Professor, Homi Bhabha National Institute, delivered a talk on “An Integrated Energy System with Nuclear, Renewables and Beyond”, emphasizing the role of nuclear energy in complementing renewable sources for achieving deep decarbonization.

Shri S. A. Bhardwaj, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), presented on “Potential of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Advancing Reactor Technology”, highlighting technological innovations and safety advancements in the nuclear energy domain.

The session also featured interventions from representatives of NTPC Ltd., Tata Power, Adani Power, L&T, and EDF, who shared their perspectives on industry collaboration, technology adoption, and future opportunities in the nuclear sector. The discussion concluded with an interactive Q&A session and closing remarks by the experts.

The Foundation Day event reaffirmed CEA’s enduring commitment to steering the Indian power sector towards innovation, sustainability, and resilience. The celebration showcased CEA’s continued efforts in advancing India’s energy transition through technology, collaboration, and strategic planning.

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