The Ministry of Power has appointed a senior official from the National Green Hydrogen Mission as a Part-time Director (Government Nominee) on the Board of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (POWERGRID), one of India’s largest transmission utilities.
The appointment, effective from 12 April 2025, was confirmed through an official order issued by the ministry a day prior. The newly appointed board member currently leads the National Green Hydrogen Mission under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), a flagship initiative that aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. The move is being interpreted as a significant alignment of the Power Ministry’s transmission infrastructure strategy with India’s decarbonisation goals, especially as the nation intensifies its transition away from fossil fuels.
The government nominee brings over three and a half decades of cross-sectoral experience spanning power distribution, electrical engineering, petroleum conservation, and sustainable energy. Their academic credentials include a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Technology from one of India’s premier institutes, coupled with professional certification as an Energy Manager by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Officials within the sector suggest this combination of policy insight and technical acumen will add critical value to the POWERGRID board at a time when the company is deepening its focus on grid modernisation and renewable integration.
POWERGRID, designated a “Maharatna” central public sector enterprise, is responsible for managing over 90 per cent of India’s inter-state transmission system. Its role is increasingly central to supporting the nation’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, including a target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The utility is tasked not only with scaling infrastructure to match renewable capacity additions but also ensuring grid stability as variable energy sources like wind and solar become mainstream. According to senior officials familiar with the development, the board-level inclusion of an expert spearheading India’s green hydrogen strategy is both timely and symbolic. It reflects a broader governance shift where energy transition narratives are no longer confined to policy white papers but are actively shaping operational and investment priorities within public utilities.
The official’s appointment is expected to lend further impetus to inter-ministerial collaboration, especially in integrating renewable energy corridors with hydrogen-ready transmission infrastructure. While hydrogen as a fuel is still in its early stages of deployment, the need for a compatible grid backbone is already under discussion at the highest levels of planning. Beyond technical qualifications, the newly inducted director has been recognised for a career of public service that prioritised sustainable innovation and equitable access to energy. From rural electrification projects to implementing energy efficiency mandates, their record resonates with POWERGRID’s evolving mandate to build an inclusive, low-carbon energy future.
The director’s term will extend until superannuation or until further instructions from the government, whichever comes earlier. Industry observers believe their presence on the board will reinforce POWERGRID’s long-term resilience strategy in a volatile global energy landscape increasingly influenced by climate imperatives, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical shifts. As India’s energy demands grow in tandem with economic expansion, POWERGRID’s ability to steer infrastructure in the direction of sustainability will be crucial. The inclusion of leadership deeply embedded in green hydrogen policy is therefore not just a governance formality—it’s a forward-looking investment in a net-zero future.
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