Sanjiv Kumar Katiyar, with over 42 years of experience in the power sector, currently serves as Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL). He oversees the operations and maintenance of thermal and hydropower stations, monitors coal mine operations, manages human resources and leads strategic partnerships with PSUs such as NTPC, THDC, NTPC Green Energy Limited and SJVNL.
Katiyar notes a major shift in the power generation sector towards renewable energy. While renewables, particularly solar, have reached 111 GW out of a total 235 GW installed renewable capacity, rising industrial demand continues to necessitate thermal power.
With last year’s peak demand at 250 GW and this year’s forecast at 260 GW, India plans to add 80 GW of thermal capacity by 2030. In order to expedite progress in energy storage, focus is shifting to pumped hydro systems to meet demand during non-solar hours. Katiyar remains confident that generation targets will be met through comprehensive efforts.
Key challenges, according to him, include dependence on imports for critical components such as turbines, controls and energy storage systems. Long gestation period in commissioning pumped storage systems and land acquisition hurdles, especially in greenfield projects.
To support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, India is rapidly expanding capacity. In 2024-25 alone, about 34 GW was added – 17 GW solar, 6 GW rooftop solar, 3 GW wind, 4 GW thermal, 4 GW biomass and 5 GW hydro. India targets 500 GW of renewable energy and 100 GW of additional thermal power by 2030-32 to ensure supply stability.
Approximately 50 GW of thermal and 9 GW of pumped storage capacity is under development. Nuclear power is also poised to grow, with plans for 100 GW by 2047, supported by the Nuclear Energy Mission and the development of small modular reactors by 2033.
The stand-out achievement of his career has been improving ABVTPS Marwa’s PLF from 49 per cent to 84.4 per cent in FY 2023-24, placing CSPGCL first among 33 state gencos. Another milestone has been completing a complex station control and instrumentation system overhaul at the Korba West TPS in just 46 days.
A mechanical engineering graduate and a certified energy auditor, with a management diploma, Katiyar’s leadership style emphasises motivation, clear direction and team empowerment.
