Overview

On 25 June 2026, the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) executed a landmark Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to create a strategic collaboration framework for advancing clean‑energy technologies, grid modernization, renewable‑energy integration, energy efficiency, transportation electrification, long‑duration energy storage, renewable‑energy forecasting and overall grid reliability.

Participants

The virtual signing ceremony was attended by:

  • Hon’ble Energy Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Heeralal Nagar;
  • Mr Siva Gunda, Vice Chair, California Energy Commission;
  • Mr John Reynolds, President, California Public Utilities Commission;
  • Mr Hemant Kumar Jain, Member, Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission;
  • Mr Reji Kumar Pillai, President, India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) and Chairman, Global Smart Energy Federation (GSEF);
  • senior officials from each of the three regulatory bodies.

Objectives of the MoI

The MoI aims to promote:

  • Knowledge exchange and policy dialogue;
  • Technical cooperation and sharing of global best practices;
  • Joint work on renewable‑energy integration, grid modernization and resilience, energy efficiency, transportation electrification, long‑duration storage, energy forecasting and planning, and other emerging clean‑energy technologies.

Statements

Mr Heeralal Nagar highlighted Rajasthan’s leadership in clean energy, noting strong solar and wind resources, expanding battery storage, smart meters and grid improvements that deliver steady, affordable clean power, and expressed that learning from California will bring real benefits to both regions.

Mr Siva Gunda emphasized that sub‑national partnerships can accelerate the clean‑energy transition and that the MoI provides a strong foundation for sharing technical expertise across the listed focus areas.

Mr John Reynolds remarked that both California and Rajasthan face similar challenges in moving to cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy systems, and that the MoI creates an important opportunity for regulatory learning and collaboration.

Mr Reji Kumar Pillai pointed out that Rajasthan operates one of the most complex grids with nearly 80 % renewable penetration; of the 62 GW installed capacity in the state, 42 GW is solar and 6 GW is wind, requiring advanced digital technologies and an enabling regulatory framework, and that the partnership will serve as a test‑bed for new technologies and policy interventions.

Role of ISGF and Supporting Institutions

The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), a public‑private partnership initiative of the Government of India with over 170 members spanning ministries, utilities, technology providers, academia and research, facilitated the MoU and acknowledged the pivotal role of ISGF in enabling the collaboration. ISGF also thanked the India Energy and Climate Center at UC Berkeley and the UC Davis India Center for Energy and Climate for their valuable support in advancing the initiative.

About ISGF

ISGF’s mandate is to accelerate the energy transition through clean energy, electric‑grid modernization and electric mobility; to work with national and international agencies on standards development; and to assist utilities, regulators and industry in technology selection, training and capacity building.

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