Sanjay Banga joined Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) in 2003, bringing with him over 26 years of professional experience in the power generation and distribution segments. As vice-president, business development, power management, contracts and technology at TPDDL, he is responsible for business development, selection of smart grid technologies and implementation, power management, capex planning, and contracts and material management.
An alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, he also has an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University. He began his career with NTPC in 1989 and was invol-ved in commissioning super thermal power projects till 1995. Prior to his current job, he worked with Reliance Energy.
Commenting on the state of the sector, Banga says, “Generation capacity has increased significantly in the past decade. We also have a robust transmission system, aside from some congestion problems in the southern corridor, which are being resolved. However, the distribution segment, which infuses money back into the power value chain and ensures sector viability, has remained a weak link.” A key issue is that the state discoms do not have any targets pertaining to reliability and have performed dismally over the years. He is hopeful that the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) will have a positive impact, given its focus on reducing AT&C losses to 15 per cent through operational efficiency improvements. “Under UDAY, discoms will adopt innovative models like outsourcing or public-private partnerships to curtail losses and bring in efficiency,” says Banga. He also welcomes the proposed amendments to the Elect-ricity Act, 2003, and believes their implementation will further liberalise the sector and enhance competition.
Banga recalls the deployment of technology in TPDDL as his most challenging task so far. “We drew up a 10-year roadmap way back in 2004 with US-based KEMA Consulting, and implemented it in a timely manner. As a result, TPDDL has become a benchmark utility in terms of technology standards.”
Banga believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. “I make sure I do not carry work back home and spend time with my family,” he says. An avid reader, he is a big fan of Ayn Rand, and The Fountainhead is his all-time favourite. He also plays the guitar in his spare time. His family includes his wife, a teacher, and two school-going children.