Anil Kumar is a seasoned human resources (HR) professional, having worked in various HR roles across recruitment, industrial relations, performance management, career management, etc. Currently, he is director, personnel, at NEEPCO, a role he took over in March last year. He oversees all strategic and key operations at the HR department, besides CSR, security and safety, and legal aspects. Since April 2020, he has also been holding charge as director, finance, and is responsible for the financial and commercial functions of the company.
Kumar believes that hydropower plants are ideal for meeting peak load as they are highly flexible, unlike thermal power plants. This was evident in the handling of the 9-minute lights switch-off event at 9 p.m. on April 5, 2020. He also highlights the enormous hydro potential of the north-eastern region. “The region, especially Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, has a potential of about 58,971 MW, that is almost 40 per cent of the country’s total hydro potential,.” He believes that the recent slew of government measures, such as providing renewable energy status to large hydel projects and new funding provisions, will give a boost to segment growth.
No doubt Covid has brought several challenges for the sector, he admits. Supply chains have been disrupted, project execution has been delayed and overall demand for electricity has fallen by an average of 15 per cent due to lower demand from the industrial sector. Besides, the pandemic has affected the day-to-day work of operational and under-construction plants, as well as system and instrumentation projects. However, Kumar notes that despite the lockdown, NEEPCO has managed to declare commercial operation of two units (2×150 MW) of the 600 MW Kameng HEP, in June and July 2020. Kumar’s most memorable assignment was heading the challenging 405 MW Ranganadi hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh. He oversaw the entire gamut of technical activities, O&M and administration of the plant.
Kumar is a science graduate and a postgraduate in management. His management style comprises a mix of visionary and democratic approaches, based on the task at hand. Quoting Steve Jobs, he says, “Great things in business are never done by one person; they are done by a team of people.” Kumar maintains a healthy work-life balance by setting time boundaries and dedicating time for self-care through exercise, yoga, meditation and jogging.