Mr. Ratul Puri, Chairman, Hindustan Power, said, “We are focused on building energy systems that combine generation, storage, flexibility and reliability” 

Q 1. Hindustan Power has been a pioneer in India’s renewable energy sector. Can you take us through the company’s journey and some of the key milestones that have shaped its growth?

India’s energy landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past two decades and Hindustan Power has been an integral part of that journey since its early stages. We entered the renewable energy sector when solar power was still an emerging technology and long before it became a central pillar of India’s energy transition.

Some of our early defining achievements include developing India’s first 5 MW solar power project (2010) and Asia’s first 30 MW solar PV project (2011). These projects were important not only because they broke new ground technologically, but because they demonstrated that large-scale renewable energy could be commercially viable and contribute meaningfully to the country’s energy mix.

As the sector evolved, so did our vision. We expanded our presence across renewable energy, transitional power generation and supporting infrastructure, building capabilities that allow us to address both sustainability and energy security requirements. In recent times, we have strengthened our focus on battery energy storage and integrated energy solutions, recognising that the future of the sector will be shaped by the reliable delivery of clean energy.

Today, as we work towards building a 5 GW energy portfolio, our focus remains steadfast on creating scalable, future ready infrastructure that supports India’s economic growth while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.

 Q 2. The company developed India’s first 5 MW solar plant and Asia’s first 30 MW solar PV project. How have these early achievements influenced your long-term strategy in clean energy?
Those projects were significant in terms of their scale at the time and in demonstrating that renewable energy could transition from concept to commercial viability. They gave us first-hand experience in developing, financing and operating large clean energy assets in a market that was still finding its footing.

More importantly, those early projects taught us that energy transitions are never static. Technologies evolve, customer expectations change and grid requirements become more complex. That understanding continues to shape our strategy today.

We are moving beyond a capacity-focused approach to renewables. We are focused on building energy systems that combine generation, storage, flexibility and reliability. The lessons from our early investments in solar energy taught us the value of staying ahead of technology cycles and anticipating future trends rather than simply responding to where the market stands today. That perspective continues to guide our investments and strategic priorities as the energy landscape evolves.

Q 3.  As India accelerates its energy transition, what opportunities do you see for renewable energy developers in supporting the country’s sustainability and energy security goals?

India’s energy transition presents one of the most significant opportunities globally. As the country pursues rapid economic growth, industrial expansion and digital transformation, the demand for reliable, affordable and sustainable energy will continue to rise, creating substantial opportunities for renewable energy developers.

The opportunity today extends far beyond adding renewable energy capacity. Developers are increasingly becoming partners in strengthening energy security by delivering integrated energy solutions that enhance reliability, support grid stability and reduce dependence on imported fuels.

We are also witnessing new demand drivers emerge from manufacturing, digital infrastructure and data centres. These sectors require large volumes of clean electricity delivered consistently and competitively. Renewable energy developers that can combine scale, technology and execution excellence will play a critical role in supporting India’s sustainability goals while strengthening the country’s long-term energy resilience and energy security.

 Q 4.  Hindustan Power is actively expanding into solar-plus-storage solutions. How do you see battery energy storage transforming the renewable energy landscape in India? 

Battery energy storage is set to become one of the defining technologies of India’s energy transition. Over the past decade, the focus was largely on adding renewable generation capacity. The future of the energy transition will be defined by aligning clean energy availability with consumer demand and usage patterns.

In many ways, storage is becoming the bridge between renewable energy generation and grid reliability. As renewable penetration increases, storage will play a critical role in balancing supply and demand, supporting grid stability and enabling round-the-clock clean power. It will also help cut down curtailment, manage peak demand and accelerate the adoption of renewable power on demand.

At Hindustan Power, we see storage as a strategic growth area and a key enabler of the future electricity system. As of 2025, we had expanded our battery storage portfolio to more than 750 MWh across multiple states, including projects with SECI, SJVN and BSPGCL. These investments reflect our belief that solar-plus-storage will increasingly become the preferred model for delivering reliable, flexible and scalable clean energy in India.

Q 5.  The company operates across renewable and transitional energy businesses. How do you balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability while planning future projects?

Energy transition is often discussed in terms of sustainability, but long-term success will also be defined by reliability and affordability. These three objectives are interconnected and cannot be pursued in isolation.

Our planning approach is guided by a simple principle: every energy system must be able to provide dependable power at competitive costs while progressively reducing its environmental footprint. This requires a balanced portfolio approach that combines renewable energy growth with technologies and infrastructure capable of supporting grid stability.

As India’s power demand continues to grow, the transition must support economic development, industrial competitiveness and energy security. We therefore view renewable energy, energy storage and enabling infrastructure as complementary elements of an integrated energy ecosystem that can deliver sustainable, reliable and affordable power at scale.

 Q 6.  Innovation and large-scale project execution have been central to Hindustan Power’s success. What recent technological advancements or project developments are you most excited about?

One of the most exciting developments in the energy sector today is the convergence of renewable energy, battery storage and advanced power infrastructure. The industry is moving beyond standalone generation assets towards integrated energy systems that can deliver cleaner, more reliable and more flexible power.

From Hindustan Power’s perspective, the rapid scale-up of our battery energy storage portfolio is particularly encouraging. Storage is transforming the economics and operational capabilities of renewable energy by enabling firm and dispatchable power, which will become increasingly important as electricity demand continues to rise across industries, mobility and digital infrastructure.

Equally exciting is the pace at which solar-plus-storage projects are moving from concept to commercial deployment. We are seeing growing acceptance of dispatchable renewable power models across utilities and state agencies, creating opportunities to build energy infrastructure that combines clean generation with reliability and grid support.

We are also encouraged by advancements in ultra-supercritical generation technology, digital asset optimisation and predictive operational systems that are improving efficiency across the power value chain. As the energy landscape evolves, competitive advantage will come from combining diverse technologies to deliver cleaner, more reliable and more efficient energy solutions.

 Q 7. Hindustan Power recently signed a 25-year Power Supply Agreement with MP Power Management Company for supplying 800 MW from its upcoming Anuppur project. How does this milestone align with the company’s long-term growth strategy and vision for India’s evolving power sector?

The agreement is a significant achievement.in our growth journey and reflects our long-term commitment to build large-scale power infrastructure that supports India’s development ambitions. The project will supply 800 MW of power to Madhya Pradesh under a 25-year agreement, providing long-term visibility while helping meet the state’s growing electricity requirements. It represents a significant addition to our long-term infrastructure portfolio and demonstrates our confidence in India’s rapidly evolving energy markets.

From a strategic perspective, the project reflects our belief that India’s energy transition will require both renewable energy expansion and dependable power infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth, industrialisation and rising electricity demand. Reliable baseload power will continue to play an important role as the country scales renewable energy and storage capacity.

The Anuppur project also builds on our established presence in Madhya Pradesh and demonstrates confidence in our ability to develop and operate large, technologically advanced energy assets. As India enters what I often describe as the “era of electricity”, projects of this scale will be essential in ensuring that energy security, affordability and sustainability progress together.

About Ratul Puri:-

 Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources. 

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