Sanjay Kumar Dutta, an alumnus of Jadavpur University, is currently director (project and commercial) at UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL). Before joining UPRVUNL in 2022, he worked at NTPC Limited in various key positions in design, engineering, project management, commissioning and maintenance of power plants from 1985. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing the delivery of under-construction projects and adding capacity in the thermal and renewable energy sectors, keeping pace with the states’s ambitious targets.
According to Dutta, although there is emphasis on renewable energy, thermal generation will still be necessary for several years to meet the peak demand. To address the issue of emissions, carbon capture processes will play a crucial role in continuing with thermal units, units, for which approven technology is yet to be established
Further, the flexible operation of subcritical units have led to frequent failures of thick wall components and breakdown of equipment, posing significant challenges to this sector.
UPRVUNL currently has 7,140 MW of installed thermal capacity and 525 MW of hydroelectric power. In addition, 1,980 MW of power projects are under construction. With several vintage units in the fleet, upgradation is crucial to make these units available for sustained generation and flexible operations. Capacity addition remains a priority for UPRVUNL, and another 5,600 MW is being finalised in a joint venture with NTPC. Further, UPRVUNL is exploring the potential for floating solar at the Rihand reservoir and its catchment areas. Simultaneously, the feasibility of installing pumped storage plants is being explored.
From undertaking conventional work focused on the specialisation of a specific subject (control and instrumentation) to overseeing an entire under-construction project, Dutta gained a comprehensive understanding of various design considerations in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as of typical construction issues during project execution. This experience proved to be instrumental in handling his assignments.
Dutta’s management style involves making the team understand its targets and timelines while emphasising the importance of maintaining the quality of work. Transparency and clear communication in the team are key factors to its success, he believes. Additionally, he fosters a humanitarian approach within the team, which involves understanding the problems of individuals and helping each other, significantly increasing productivity.