Founder and CEO, Gruner Renewable Energy
Utkarsh Gupta is the founder and CEO of Gruner Renewable Energy, a company focused on bioCNG solutions and renewable energy projects. With a background in chartered accountancy and experience in the energy sector, he established Gruner Renewable Energy in February 2023, identifying potential in the bio CNG segment for sustainable energy development. Within five months, the company reported a turnover of Rs 400 million, managing over 50 projects across the country and expanding its workforce from four to over 200 employees.
His leadership philosophy is guided by the principle that “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” as articulated by John F Kennedy. He emphasises the importance of learning, collaboration, innovation and continuous evolution as core values within his organisation. Gupta encourages his team to think creatively, take ownership of their roles and contribute meaningfully to shared objectives.
Under his leadership, the company has undertaken several initiatives, including the construction of a compressed biogas plant in Gujarat, which is projected to produce 16,000 tonnes of biogas annually. Gruner Renewable Energy has also secured 11 projects worth Rs 15 billion to build biogas facilities, which are expected to produce over 88,000 tonnes of compressed biogas annually. The company has faced challenges such as logistical complexities and high costs in establishing decentralised bioCNG plants, which it addresses through project management frameworks and partnerships, including a collaboration with BioEnergy Germany to enhance technological capabilities. Gruner Renewable Energy has set a target of establishing 100 biogas plants by 2025, with 50 planned in the current fiscal year. It is working on integrating technologies such as centralised control systems and automation to improve operational efficiency while exploring new feedstock options, such as Napier Grass. The company’s focus over the next few years includes scaling operations, integrating technology and implementing practices aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.
Moreover, Gruner Renewable Energy is implementing digitalisation and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency across its biogas projects. The company is establishing a centralised control room at its Noida head office to enable real-time monitoring and control of operations across all biogas plants.
