Alok Mukherjee is a power sector expert of over 36 years’ standing and has worked with some of the leading players in this industry. He has hands-on experience in key functions including business development, construction, and operations and maintenance, as well as extensive board-level exposure.
As director, operations, Odisha Power Generation Company (OPGC), Mukherjee is closely involved with the operations of the company’s 1,740 MW power plant, which has two 210 MW units and two recently commissioned 660 MW supercritical units. The smooth transition of this vintage 420 MW plant to a new 1,740 MW power station with state-of-the-art technology and management systems is one of his key accomplishments.
Mukherjee is passionate about introducing digitalisation for improvements in plant performance, profitability, plant safety, etc. “The introduction of robotics, AI and associated digital interventions will be a game changer and make the Indian power sector a major factor to reckon with in the global arena,” he says.
Mukherjee is also enthusiastic about integrating renewable energy into the grid. He believes that the power sector is like the Indian joint family where all forms of energy – conventional and renewable – can coexist in harmony and have huge growth potential.
Mukherjee started his career with NTPC and later worked with other power majors including Reliance Energy and ONGG-Tripura Power Company Limited. As director and CEO of ONGC-Tripura, he is credited with establishing a 726 MW gas-based power project along with 650 km of 400 kV transmission lines under challenging circumstances. “The project, with an investment of around $1,600 million, is the largest in the Northeast. The project helped take India’s relationship with its neighbouring countries to a new level,” he says.
At Reliance Energy, he was involved in setting up a 1,200 MW greenfield power project in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was also involved with the bidding process for 1,000 MW and 4,000 MW of projects under international competitive bidding guidelines.
Mukherjee is very active in providing leadership for employee development and community welfare activities, which, he believes, is an imperative for the sustainability of any enterprise. He is an electrical engineer from IIT-BHU. He is a sports enthusiast and enjoys table tennis and lawn tennis in particular.