Subhechcha Ganguly 
Meet Er. Gajanan Kale, a dynamic leader who has left an indelible mark in the power distribution industry in India. With over 30 years of experience, he has served in various prestigious organizations, including the BHEL Bhopal, Central Railway Nagpur, Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), Tata Power Co. Ltd Mumbai (TPCL), and TP Ajmer Distribution Ltd.
Throughout his illustrious career, Er. Kale’s unwavering focus has been on customer satisfaction. He has worked tirelessly to reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) Loss, making retail power distribution financially viable while ensuring that the customers are delighted and empowered. With two Master’s degrees in Management and Power Systems, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Power Systems, Er. Kale is a highly educated individual with numerous advanced management and industrial sessions to his name.
Since taking over as the Chief Executive Officer of TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL), Mr. Kale has introduced numerous technological solutions to improve the reliability of power supply services to customers in the vast geographical area of the Discoms. He has deployed Grid Automation and GIS implementation and has even brought local participation in billing and collection activities, contributing to the local economy.
Under his able guidance, TPWODL has introduced various payment avenues like payment at the customer doorstep, digital payment modes, and customer care centres, providing customers with multiple options to pay for their services. Er. Kale’s down-to-earth approach has made him a key inspiration for employees, who see him as someone who is always accessible and willing to resolve any issues.
One of his personal initiatives has been to promote green energy and agricultural supply through KUSUM-C and microgrid for remote areas. This has been well appreciated by the Energy Department of the Odisha government and the Ministry of Renewable Energy, Govt. of India. Farmers in the western part of Odisha, who have traditionally been dependent on grid power for irrigating their land, have shown overwhelming eagerness to adopt green energy as a sustainable way of life.
Under his leadership, TPWODL has achieved several milestones in its first 2 years of operations. Some of these include:
- Reducing the AT&C losses from 27.56% to 18.28%
- Increasing the collection efficiency to 100.16%
- achieved customer satisfaction index 96%
- Launching a dedicated website and mobile app for customers
- Installing more than 0.35 lakh smart meters
- Setting up 24×7 customer care centers
- Strengthening the network infrastructure by adding new substations and feeders
- Implementing various CSR initiatives in the areas of education, health, livelihood and environment.
Er. Kale’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in TPWODL achieving many outstanding milestones within a short period of 2 years, recently being included in a group of select power utilities rated A+ (highest rating) by the Ministry of Power, Government of India. He has set benchmarks in the power distribution industry in the state, aiming to scale new heights and bring in efficiency and energy to the system, providing reliable access to services being offered by the Utility to the ultimate customers.
Gajanan Kale is not only a visionary leader but also a humble and approachable person. He believes in empowering his team and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. He regularly interacts with his employees, customers and other stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations. He also encourages feedback and suggestions from all quarters to improve TPWODL’s performance and service.
Mr Kale is an inspiration for many young professionals who aspire to make a difference in the power sector. He is a role model for excellence, integrity and customer-centricity. He is a true leader who is transforming TPWODL into a power distribution company that Odisha can be proud of.
