Naresh Telgu is the chief operating officer of the pumped storage projects (PSP) and hydropower business at Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL). With nearly 30 years of experience in the hydropower and pumped storage sector, he has worked across India and international markets, leading the development, execution and optimisation of complex hydropower projects.
At AGEL, Telgu spearheads an ambitious portfolio comprising 25 GW of pumped storage capacity and a 5 GW hydro development pipeline.
His role spans the entire project lifecycle, from site identification and statutory approvals to engineering design, commercial structuring, commissioning and future operations.
In addition, he plays an important role in forging strategic business partnerships and driving the integration of Adani’s solar and wind assets with pumped storage solutions.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Telgu serves as chairperson of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India’s National Council on Hydropower and Pumped Storage Projects and is a co-opted board member of the International Hydropower Association.
According to Telgu, with India’s power sector rapidly transitioning towards higher renewable energy penetration, PSPs are emerging as the most viable, scalable and domestically deployable long-duration storage solution. “Recent policy measures such as the resource adequacy guidelines, the waiver of interstate transmission system charges, and the roadmap targeting 100 GW of PSP capacity reflect the country’s commitment to storageled grid stability,” he notes.
Despite this momentum, he highlights several challenges that continue to affect sectoral growth, including the variability of renewable generation, the existing storage capacity gap, lengthy environmental and forest clearance processes, and transmission infrastructure readiness.
Among his most memorable professional experiences is the development and implementation of the Shuakhevi hydropower project in Georgia.
“Leading this project with professionals from 27 nationalities strengthened my understanding of multicultural engineering environments” he adds.
Telgu describes his management style as collaborative, transparent and outcome-driven. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in Finance.
