Power grid corporation, PEC to build centre of excellence

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishment of the “POWERGRID Centre of Excellence” at the college.

Presiding over the event, UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma lauded the collaborative effort and highlighted the significance of academia-industry partnerships in nation building. He said, “This Centre of Excellence will not only enhance learning opportunities for students but also act as a catalyst for research and innovation in the power and energy sector. Such initiatives are aligned with India’s larger vision of achieving energy security and transitioning towards a net-zero emission future under Viksit Bharat.”

He emphasised that the facility would serve as a beacon of technological advancement, benefitting undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral scholars with cutting-edge infrastructure, thereby fostering skill development and innovation among the youth.

The MoU was signed by Tarun Bajaj, Executive Director (Northern Region-II), POWERGRID; and Prof Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director (ad-interim), PEC, in the presence of Rajeev Verma and Ravinder Kumar Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID. Prerna Puri, Secretary Education, UT, was also present.

The upcoming centre is being established at a cost of Rs 17.19 crore under the POWERGRID’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The centre is envisioned to provide students and researchers with advanced resources and hands-on training in crucial domains such as numerical relays, inverters, cybersecurity, e-mobility, etc.

Tyagi, an alumnus of PEC, reiterated POWERGRID’s commitment to contribute meaningfully to technical education.