Ratul Puri
XFacebookLinkedInInstagram
Ratul Puri on India’s Energy Future at 3rd Power Focus Summit

Ratul Puri on India’s Energy Future at 3rd Power Focus Summit

Venue: Le Meridien, New Delhi
Event: 3rd Annual Power Focus Summit
Keynote Speaker: Ratul Puri, Chairman, Hindustan Power Projects

India’s dynamic energy sector took center stage at the 3rd Power Focus Summit, where leading voices gathered to assess the evolving landscape of power generation, reform, and renewable energy. Industry veterans such as Mr. P.K. Pujari (Ministry of Power), Mr. Gopal Saxena (BSES), and Mr. Sanjay Sagar (JSW Energy) joined the conversation, along with financial experts like Mr. Sudip Sural (CRISIL Ratings).

Keynote Address: Driving Growth Through Power

In his keynote, Ratul Puri highlighted the critical link between economic growth and energy infrastructure, noting that India's robust GDP performance will increasingly depend on the power sector’s ability to attract and deploy investment. He applauded reformative initiatives like Make in India and Skill India, which have elevated international confidence in the Indian economy—and by extension, its energy future.

Sectoral Challenges: Realigning for Efficiency

While optimism prevailed, Mr. Puri addressed several pressing concerns:

  • Discom Health: The limited capacity of distribution companies (discoms) to purchase and distribute power is a serious bottleneck—especially as India ramps up its renewable push.
  • UDAY Scheme: The UDAY financial restructuring scheme has promise but requires faster and more effective execution to stabilize discoms.
  • Coal Sector Reform: With continued dependence on coal in the near term, transparent coal mine redistribution and enhanced production are essential to ensuring base load reliability.
  • Market Volatility: Fluctuations in the energy market persist, although increased bidding activity signals cautious optimism.

Renewable Energy: Managing Risk and Reliability

Mr. Puri emphasized the importance of balancing ambition with sustainability in the clean energy space. He voiced concern over record-low solar tariffs, suggesting they may jeopardize long-term investor interest and project viability.

He also stressed the strategic need to revive hydropower, a largely underutilized resource that can compensate for seasonal deficits in solar generation. However, he noted that current policies lack adequate incentives to encourage private-sector investment in hydropower.

Hindustan Power: A Balanced, Global Approach

Ratul Puri also outlined Hindustan Power’s strategic roadmap:

  • Target Capacity: 6,000 MW across thermal, solar, and hydro power projects.
  • Investments: Over INR 32,000 crore invested in 5,000+ MW of capacity.
  • Global Footprint: Active operations in India, the US, Europe, and Asia, combining long-term infrastructure planning with an expanding renewable portfolio.

Final Thoughts

The summit underscored the complex yet promising future of India’s energy sector. As Ratul Puri articulated, success lies in realistic reform execution, stable policy support, and a well-diversified energy mix. With the right focus, India can meet its power needs—and become a global leader in sustainable energy deployment.