Thu Sep 25 03:21:19 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) is establishing a Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET) in Visakhapatnam. Approved by the state government, the CoEET will be a registered society under APEPDCL, partnering with institutions like IIM Visakhapatnam, Andhra University, and IIPE, as well as TERI. The center aims to become a hub for research, innovation, skill development, and startup incubation in the field of clean energy. It will operate from an energy-efficient building and be funded through various sources, including internal allocations, government grants, CSR funds, and donor partnerships. Over the next five years, the CoEET plans to deliver over 20 applied research projects, train over 1,000 professionals, and incubate 10 startups, contributing to India’s national energy goals and global climate commitments.

**News Article:**

**Visakhapatnam to Become Clean Energy Hub with New Centre of Excellence**

*Visakhapatnam, September 25, 2025* – Visakhapatnam is poised to become a major player in India’s clean energy transition with the establishment of a new Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET). The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) announced the initiative, which has been approved by the state government and is set to transform the region into a hub for energy innovation.

The CoEET will operate as a registered society under the management of APEPDCL, fostering collaboration with leading educational institutions such as IIM Visakhapatnam, Andhra University, and the Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy (IIPE), as well as think tanks like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

“The objectives of the CoEET are to position both power utilities and Andhra Pradesh as thought leaders and enablers in the clean energy transformation journey in line with India’s national energy goals and global climate commitments,” stated I. Prudhvitej, Chairman & Managing Director of APEPDCL.

The center, located in an energy-efficient building on the Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road, will house an innovation lab, R&D workspace, training classrooms, a startup incubation bay, and a smart grid simulation setup. Funding will be secured through diverse channels, including internal allocations, government grants, industry CSR funds, and donor partnerships.

According to Mr. Prudhvitej, the CoEET will focus on:

* Facilitating research and innovation in energy transition technologies.
* Promoting skill development and capacity building programs.
* Enhancing collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society.
* Supporting policymaking through data-driven insights and pilot programs.
* Promoting entrepreneurship and incubation of energy technology startups.

“In the next five years, CoEET aims to deliver more than 20 applied research and pilot projects, train more than 1,000 professionals, and incubate 10 new startups,” Mr. Prudhvitej told The Hindu.

The Visakhapatnam CoEET joins a growing network of similar initiatives across India, including one in Hyderabad being developed at TERI’s Institute of Energy Transition. The Hyderabad CoEET is a joint initiative of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and TERI. With its strategic location and collaborative approach, the Visakhapatnam CoEET is expected to make a significant contribution to India’s sustainable energy future.

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