The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the apex technical body under the Ministry of Power, celebrated its 52nd Foundation Day on 11 October 2025 in New Delhi. The event centred on outlining a roadmap for developing 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, aligned with India’s long-term energy and climate goals. For over five decades, the CEA has played a pivotal role in planning and managing India’s electricity system, ensuring reliable, 24×7 power supply to consumers across the country. It continues to drive India’s power sector modernisation through policy formulation, data-driven innovation, and technological advancement. The ceremony was held at the Central Water Commission Auditorium in R.K. Puram, graced by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, as the Chief Guest, along with senior officials from public sector undertakings, state utilities, and industry associations. Leadership and Vision In his address, Pankaj Agarwal commended the CEA’s “outstanding contribution to India’s coordinated power development”, praising its leadership in power system planning, policy design, and technological integration. He underscored the CEA’s role in enabling large-scale renewable energy integration, nuclear capacity expansion, and grid security enhancement as India works towards its Net-Zero by 2070 target. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA, reflected on the Authority’s journey since its inception in 1973, highlighting milestones in generation and transmission planning, technical standards formulation, and grid modernisation. He also emphasised the growing importance of digitalisation, innovation, and data-driven decision-making for ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency. Key Launches and Releases As part of the Foundation Day celebration, several key publications and initiatives were unveiled: ‘Vidyut Vahini’ – Hindi Quarterly Magazine (Special Edition): Focused on the Contribution of Nuclear Energy in the Electricity Sector, published by CEA. “Roadmap for Achieving 100 GW of Nuclear Capacity by 2047”: Outlining strategic steps to expand India’s nuclear generation capacity in alignment with its energy transition goals. “Master Plan for Evacuation of Power from Hydroelectric Plants in the Brahmaputra Basin”: Detailing phased transmission infrastructure to support the evacuation of around 65 GW of hydro capacity, aiding project developers in planning and implementation. Launch of the “Electrical Accident Data Monitoring System (EADMS)” Portal: A digital platform to report, analyse, and mitigate electrical accidents, reinforcing workplace and operational safety nationwide. During the event, Pankaj Agarwal also presented awards to CEA officers for their outstanding contributions to the power sector. Technical Deliberations on Nuclear Energy A special session titled “Nuclear Energy for Net-Zero: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways” featured renowned experts and industry representatives. Dr R. B. Grover, Member, Atomic Energy Commission, and Emeritus Professor, Homi Bhabha National Institute, delivered a lecture on “An Integrated Energy System with Nuclear, Renewables, and Beyond”, stressing the role of nuclear energy in complementing renewable power for deep decarbonisation. S. A. Bhardwaj, former Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), spoke on “Potential of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Advancing Reactor Technology”, discussing innovations in safety and next-generation reactor design. Industry experts from NTPC Ltd, Tata Power, Adani Power, L&T, and EDF also shared insights on technology adoption, investment opportunities, and public-private collaboration in the nuclear sector. Commitment to Energy Transition The Foundation Day event reaffirmed the CEA’s leadership in steering India’s energy transition towards sustainability, reliability, and innovation. The discussions and launches reflected the Authority’s focus on modernising infrastructure, enhancing energy security, and achieving long-term decarbonisation goals through strategic planning and collaboration.