With a distinguished career in public administration and energy sector leadership, Ms Shalini Agarwal, IAS, Managing Director, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL), shares her insights on Gujarat’s evolving power landscape, the State’s clean energy transition, grid modernisation initiatives, and the role of technology in building a resilient energy ecosystem.
In an exclusive interaction with Hemangini Kanth Rajput and Elma Fatima of Elets News Network (ENN), she discusses GUVNL’s strategic priorities for ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power, enabling industrial growth, attracting investments and supporting Gujarat’s vision of becoming a key contributor to Viksit Bharat.
Gujarat has emerged as a leader in India’s energy transition. What are the key priorities of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited in ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power for the State’s growing industrial and urban needs?
The evolution of Gujarat’s power sector has always been closely aligned with the State’s development trajectory. As Gujarat enters a new phase of growth driven by advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, green industries and urbanisation, the role of the power sector extends far beyond electricity supply. It is about creating the confidence that enables investment and sustains economic growth.
Gujarat has consistently remained ahead of the curve in anticipating future requirements. Whether it was introducing one of the country’s earliest solar policies, creating one of India’s largest renewable energy ecosystems, promoting rooftop solar at scale, or now preparing for large-scale energy storage and grid modernisation, the emphasis has always been on building capacity ahead of demand and creating an ecosystem that supports long-term economic growth.
Within GUVNL, our priorities are therefore centred on strengthening the entire electricity value chain. Alongside ensuring reliable and affordable power, we are preparing the grid for significantly higher renewable energy penetration through investments in Battery Energy Storage Systems, Pumped Storage Projects, modern transmission infrastructure and digital technologies.
Another important priority is long-term planning. Through scientific resource adequacy assessment, network planning and digital platforms such as Akshay Urja Setu, we are creating greater visibility, transparency and predictability for consumers as well as investors.
Reliable power has always been one of Gujarat’s strongest competitive advantages. We endeavour to ensure that this strength continues to support industrial competitiveness, attract new investments and contribute meaningfully towards the vision of Viksit Gujarat as the growth engine of Viksit Bharat.
As renewable energy capacity expands rapidly across the State, how is GUVNL strengthening grid infrastructure, energy storage and distribution networks to support Gujarat’s clean energy ambitions?
The next phase of the energy transition will be determined not by how much renewable energy is installed, but by how effectively it is integrated into the electricity system.
Recognising this, Gujarat has adopted a comprehensive approach where renewable generation, transmission infrastructure, energy storage and distribution planning progress together. This integrated planning has enabled the State to absorb increasing levels of renewable energy while maintaining the reliability and quality of supply expected by consumers and industries.
Going forward, Battery Energy Storage Systems and Pumped Storage Projects will become important elements of grid flexibility. These technologies will enable better utilisation of renewable energy, improve system resilience and support round-the-clock availability of clean power.
At the distribution level, digital transformation is equally significant. Smart metering, data-driven network planning, GIS-based asset management and consumer-centric digital platforms are improving operational efficiency while enhancing consumer experience.
The transition is therefore not merely towards cleaner electricity, but towards a more intelligent, resilient and future-ready power system.
Gujarat is witnessing significant growth in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and urban infrastructure. How is the power sector evolving to meet the increasing energy demands of emerging industrial hubs, particularly in Central Gujarat?
Industrial development and power infrastructure have always complemented each other in Gujarat. As new economic clusters emerge across Central Gujarat, the power sector is preparing well in advance to support future demand.
Planning today is based on long-term demand assessment rather than incremental expansion. Generation resources, transmission corridors, substations and distribution infrastructure are being strengthened with a forward-looking perspective so that reliable power is available from the very inception of industrial development.
This assumes even greater importance as Gujarat attracts investments in sectors such as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, data centres, speciality chemicals and advanced engineering. These industries require not only uninterrupted power but also high-quality supply, system resilience and operational certainty.
Alongside physical infrastructure, we are also simplifying service delivery through digitalisation and transparent processes. Ease of access to electricity is an important component of ease of doing business, and we remain committed to continuously improving this experience.
Reliable electricity has become one of Gujarat’s defining strengths. Preserving and enhancing this advantage will remain central to supporting the State’s next phase of industrial growth.
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference serves as a platform to foster collaboration and investment across key sectors. What opportunities do you see for industry stakeholders, technology providers and investors to partner with GUVNL in accelerating Gujarat’s energy transition?
The scale of Gujarat’s energy transition presents opportunities across the entire value chain. As the electricity sector becomes increasingly digital, decentralised and technology-driven, partnerships will play an important role in shaping the future.
We see considerable opportunities in renewable energy, Battery Energy Storage Systems, grid modernisation, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced transmission solutions, electric mobility and green hydrogen. These are areas where innovation and collaboration can create significant long-term value.
Equally important is the opportunity to work together in developing smarter planning tools, improving operational efficiency and strengthening consumer-centric services. Digital initiatives such as Akshay Urja Setu demonstrate how technology can improve transparency, reduce timelines and facilitate investment.
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference provides an important platform where industry, technology providers, investors and policymakers can engage constructively and identify areas of collaboration. Such partnerships will be essential in building an energy ecosystem that supports sustainable economic development.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of the energy sector in shaping Gujarat’s long-term economic growth, and what message would you like to share with participants of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference regarding the State’s vision for a sustainable and future-ready power ecosystem?
Energy has always been one of the fundamental drivers of Gujarat’s economic success, and its importance will only increase in the coming decades. Every investment in manufacturing, logistics, digital infrastructure, clean technologies and urban development ultimately depends upon the availability of reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.
As India progresses towards becoming a developed nation, the role of the power sector will evolve from being an essential utility to becoming a strategic economic enabler. Future competitiveness will increasingly be determined by the ability to provide clean, reliable and technology-enabled energy infrastructure.
Gujarat is well-positioned to lead this transformation. The State combines progressive policies, robust infrastructure, institutional capacity and a strong execution framework. These strengths provide confidence to investors and create an enabling environment for long-term growth.
My message to participants of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is that Gujarat offers much more than investment opportunities. It offers a collaborative ecosystem where government, industry and technology partners work together with a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.
The journey towards Viksit Bharat will be driven by the collective progress of its States. We are confident that Viksit Gujarat will continue to serve as one of the strongest engines of that national aspiration, with the power sector playing a central role in enabling this transformation.