Energetica india Magazine

Q In a time of growing expenses and new technology invest - ments, how is MSEDCL striking a balance between the twin imperatives of financial sustainability and reasonable tar - iffs for consumers? IAS Lokesh Chandra: Even amid rising input costs and heavy technology investments, MSEDCL has decisively balanced fi - nancial discipline with affordability through a forward-look - ing Energy Transition and Resource Adequacy Plan. The utility has secured over 38 GWof low-cost renewable capacity, including 16 GW under MSKVY 2.0 at a highly competitive INR 3.06 per unit, fundamentally altering its power procure - ment mix. This strategic shift is set to reverse the Average Cost of Supply (ACoS) trajectory, delivering a projected 9 percent reduction by FY 2029–30. Over the next five years, power procurement savings of ap - proximately INR 82,000 crore are expected, gains that have already translated into tariff reductions across all consumer categories, as reflected in the latest tariff order. These sav - ings are being further strengthened by operational efficiencies driven by large-scale smart metering, AI/ML-based load fore - casting and scheduling, digital approvals, loss reduction initia- tives, and optimised procurement practices. Notably, AI-driv - en forecasting alone has delivered power purchase savings of nearly INR 1,050 crore in just one year. Complemented by RDSS-led reforms, targeted field restruc - turing, and organisational realignment to enhance execution efficiency and curb ATC losses, these measures have already unlocked savings of hundreds of crores. Together, they ensure long-term financial resilience while enabling historic tariff re - ductions for residential, industrial, commercial, and agricul - tural consumers from FY 2025–26, demonstrating that deep modernisation and consumer affordability can not only coex - ist, but reinforce each other. Q Congratulations on setting a Guinness World Record by deploying almost 46,000 solar agricultural pumps in just 30 days. Which operational tactics played a major role in this accomplishment? IAS Lokesh Chandra: The Guinness World Record for validat - ing 45,911 solar agricultural pumps in 30 days was driven by tight planning, real-time oversight, and decisive leadership. We enforced non-negotiable quality controls such as safe - ty compliance, photo/video evidence, RMS validation, and third-party checks to deliver speed with integrity. When unseasonal rains cut early qualifiers to 6,000, we pivoted fast-deploying 150 staff in dual shifts, streamlining data flows, running continuous vendor webinars, and tracking progress hour by hour. This coordinated effort across leadership, field teams, vendors, and IT ensured disciplined execution and energetica INDIA- February_2026 29 INTERVIEW