Special Session with S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation at MCCI

Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised a Special Session on “Outlook for a Multifaceted DVC” on Friday, 21 November 2025 at the Conference Hall of the Chamber. Shri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) addressed the Session as Chief Guest.

Shri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) in his address mentioned that nature has richly endowed Damodar Valley, which was called the Ruhr of India. However, DVC went through dark times in the 1980s and 1990s when it was unable to pay for coal. The reason for this non payment was that DVC’s clients were not pay it. The GoI said that what is due to DVC should be given to it in a reasonable time. Subsequently, DVC’s fortunes have improved and the PLF of its plants is about 80%.

There is a culture of non-payment in India. DVC’s customers were taking cases to court and not paying DVC. This went on for a long time until the Supreme Court said that DVC must be paid. Small increments add up to substantial amount over time and then DVC is accused of ‘tariff shock’. However, the industry’s request to reduce tariffs for open access power is aimed at promoting competitiveness and reducing energy costs. Chairman assured that he will take up the matter and try to reduce the tariff.

DVC has power loss of just 1% and the same is in the double digits for other power producers. DVC’s exploration of Green Steel and coal classification technology is a promising step towards sustainable development. Coal classification is a crucial process.

DVC has ambitious expansion plans. It will spend an estimated Rs. 52,000 crores to increase thermal capacity by 2025. 500 MW of battery energy storage is coming up. Solar capacity is expected to increase by 4,000 MW by 2030.

Shri Deepak Kumar Agarwal, Managing Committee Member, MCCI in his Welcome address said that today, DVC is evolving into a champion of sustainable energy by upgrading its thermal plants with cleaner, more efficient technology while aggressively expanding solar, hydro, and storage projects. It is piloting battery systems to store renewable energy and exploring pumped hydro to stabilize the grid.

Shri Agarwal added that by aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat, DVC is strengthening local supply chains and building Indian solutions. By contributing to Viksit Bharat, it is laying the foundation for a resilient and a prosperous East.

Shri Vivek Adukia, Co-Chairman, Council on Steel & Mines, MCCI in his Theme Address said that DVC was a saviour for the ferro alloys industry with cheap power in the 1990s. It has an opportunity to once again help the secondary steel sector, which is in financial trouble today.

The Session concluded with a hearty Vote of Thanks proposed by Shri Gopal Krishna Sharan, Managing Committee Member, MCCI. He said that DVC operates in multiple spheres and it has significant growth targets. DVC is no longer just India’s oldest river valley project; it is evolving into Eastern India’s renewable energy powerhouse, a grid stabiliser for the nation and large-scale storage.