Manju Gupta, Executive Director at Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), brings over 37 years of extensive experience in India’s power sector. Her expertise spans power system planning, open access, transmission pricing, cross-border interconnections, commercial operations and regulatory affairs. She has also served as deputy chief operating officer at Central Transmission Utility of India Limited and currently heads POWERGRID’s Commercial and Regulatory Cell.
Gupta has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s transmission landscape. She contributed significantly to the achievement of the “One Nation, One Grid, One Frequency” vision, enabling seamless power transfer across regions and optimised utilisation of generation resources. She has also been closely associated with the development of green energy corridors, supporting the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid.
A strong advocate of technology adoption, Gupta has driven the deployment of advanced systems such as flexible AC transmission system solutions (FSC, SVC, statcom and TCSC), 765 kV AC networks, and ±800 kV high voltage direct current systems, along with voltage source converter technologies, high-temperature low-sag conductors and dynamic line loading.
As head of the field quality assurance and quality assurance and inspection departments, she introduced digital initiatives such as virtual inspections, contributing to improved operational efficiency and timely capex execution.
In the regulatory domain, Gupta has played a key role in policy development, contributing to the Electricity Act of 2003 and tariff policy amendments, as well as frameworks for transmission pricing, open access and general network access. She has also supported regional energy cooperation through grid interconnections with neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Recognised for her thought leadership, Gupta has authored technical papers for global platforms such as CIGRE and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and actively participates in industry forums. She is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and workplace inclusion.
An electrical engineering graduate from the Delhi College of Engineering, she has further strengthened her leadership skills through executive programmes at the Harvard Business School and the Indian School of Business.