Grid-India Day celebrating 7 years embracing challenges in transforming power sector for future growth

Union Minister RK Singh urges preparedness for disruptive growth, embracing renewable energy, and addressing cybersecurity challenges.

The 7th Grid-India Day was celebrated in New Delhi on January 3, 2024, marking seven years of the independent functioning of Grid Controller of India Limited as a Central Public Sector Enterprise. The event, attended by key figures in the power sector, including Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission Jishnu Barua, and CMD of GRID-INDIA SR Narasimhan, served as a platform to acknowledge Grid-India’s significant contributions to shaping India’s power sector.

Addressing the gathering, RK Singh emphasised the need for Grid-India to prepare for future challenges, particularly in light of the growing economy’s transition to an increased share of renewable energy. He highlighted that future growth would be highly disruptive and posed a major challenge to Grid-India, being the backbone of the power sector. The Minister underlined the challenges posed by the increasing share of renewable energy and distributed renewable energy, urging Grid-India employees to think ahead about the integration of solar on every roof, electric cooking, and the promotion of electric mobility.

Singh stressed the importance of embracing change and professionalism, particularly in the face of the power sector’s rapid growth. He acknowledged the need for Grid-India to adequately prepare for cybersecurity challenges, urging vigilance in procuring systems from trusted vendors and enhancing capacity for testing equipment to identify potential malware.

Looking to the future, the Minister highlighted the bundling of energy as a key aspect of future energy systems, envisioning a transition to a green energy landscape. He encouraged Grid-India officials to be proactive in anticipating new challenges and keeping the grid secure amid the nation’s increasing power demand.

Chairperson of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, Jishnu Barua, emphasised the pivotal role of the energy sector in shaping the 21st-century global landscape. He highlighted India’s advocacy for energy transition and the exploration of novel energy resources, emphasising the importance of effective methodologies for energy conservation alongside the rapid embrace of renewable energy sources.

CMD of GRID-INDIA, SR Narasimhan, in his welcome address, acknowledged the organisation’s history and evolution from regional grids to a national grid. He highlighted the organisation’s readiness to take on new responsibilities, emphasising the challenges posed by the annual growth demand in power and new loads like e-cooking. Narasimhan expressed Grid-India’s commitment to maintaining grid stability and thanked the Power Minister for administrative interventions to ensure effective electricity market functioning.