Basudev Hansdah brings long power O&M background to Maithon Power Limited CEO role

Power-sector career spanning commissioning, operations and maintenance

Basudev Hansdah has nearly three decades of experience across the power sector and is currently chief executive officer (CEO) of Maithon Power Limited. His background combines commissioning, operations, maintenance and business leadership.

Hansdah’s career began at Steel Authority of India Limited’s Rourkela steel plant, where he gained exposure to captive power plants, distribution systems and multi-unit operations. He later joined NTPC Talcher and managed the operations and maintenance of 67.5 MW and 110 MW units.

Following that, he held leadership roles within the Tata Power Group, where he led the commissioning and operation of major assets and executed critical power purchase and statutory agreements. He also served as CEO of Industrial Energy Limited and as chief of Jamshedpur Operations during 2024-25. Hansdah holds three patents to his credit.

Outlook for India’s energy mix and grid needs

Hansdah said his perspective on the Indian power sector remains optimistic, with the sector’s trajectory depending on balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability. He noted that renewable energy will continue to drive capacity additions.

At the same time, he argued that flexible thermal generation will remain essential to manage variability in renewable output. He also said nuclear power is expected to play an important role in strengthening the clean baseload segment.

Beyond generation, Hansdah highlighted how a changing geopolitical environment reinforces the need for a balanced domestic energy mix supported by renewables and emerging storage technologies. He pointed to technology trends—artificial intelligence, smart grids, automation and advanced forecasting—as tools improving system reliability and enabling more responsive grid management.

Constraints cited: integration, transmission and financial health

Despite these advances, Hansdah referenced several structural impediments, including grid integration challenges and transmission bottlenecks. He also cited the weak financial health of discoms and ageing infrastructure as key concerns.

He further noted rising load volatility, which increases the need for demand-side management, time-of-day tariffs and flexible generation assets.

KSB reports Q2 FY26 growth and new nuclear-adjacent orders, including Kaiga shutdown cooling pumps

Q2 and H1 FY26 results

KSB reported sales of ₹690.7 crore in Q2 FY26, compared with ₹601.3 crore in the previous quarter and ₹666.7 crore in the year-ago period. Profit Before Tax was ₹77.9 crore.

For the first half (H1 FY26), total sales were ₹1,292 crore versus ₹1,262.1 crore in the prior-year period. The company said profitability was under pressure due to margin challenges and global uncertainties.

Orders spanning energy, nuclear and infrastructure

During the quarter, KSB highlighted multiple orders tied to power and infrastructure. These included shutdown cooling pumps for the Kaiga Units 5 & 6 nuclear project.

KSB also secured a high-pressure (HP) valves package for NTPC Limited’s Nabinagar and Gadarwara projects through L&T-MHI Power.

In energy-linked awards, KSB cited its first LUV pumps order for the Gadarwara Power Project, alongside other contracts in water and urban mobility segments.

Outlook and focus areas

KSB said its outlook remains stable, supported by an order pipeline across core sectors. It also pointed to operational efficiency, cost discipline, and execution as priorities.

Pace Digitek commissions 2.5 GWh BESS manufacturing line

Pace Digitek Limited says its subsidiary Lineage Power Private Limited has commissioned an additional 2,500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing line.

The company reports that commissioning the new line has doubled its total installed BESS manufacturing capacity from 2,500 MWh to 5,000 MWh.

Pace Digitek also states that over the past year it has manufactured more than 300 utility-scale BESS containers, with a combined battery energy storage capacity of around 1,500 MWh.

The update is focused on BESS manufacturing capacity rather than nuclear equipment or nuclear fuel-cycle supply chain activity.