Shri Manu Srivastava, a distinguished 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is widely hailed as the architect of India’s modern solar energy landscape. Currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Energy and Renewable Energy Departments, his career is a masterclass in how technical expertise, when paired with administrative innovation, can solve some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. From the sprawling solar fields of Rewa to the corridors of the World Bank, Shri Srivastava’s work has placed Madhya Pradesh firmly on the global map of sustainable development.
Academic Excellence and Technical Roots
A native of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Manu Srivastava’s administrative journey is built on a formidable academic foundation. He earned both his Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) and Master of Technology (M. Tech) in Electrical Engineering from the premier Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. This deep technical understanding of power systems and energy dynamics has been the bedrock of his career, allowing him to design and implement complex infrastructure projects that were previously thought to be impossible in the Indian context.
The Rewa Project: A Global Inflection Point
Shri Srivastava’s most iconic contribution is the 750 MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Project. As the Chairperson of Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL), he spearheaded a project that became a “global inflection point” for the solar industry. It was the first project in India to break the grid parity barrier, proving that solar power could be cheaper than coal-based electricity without any government subsidy (Viability Gap Funding).
The project’s innovative risk-sharing mechanism and payment security structures became the blueprint for the Government of India’s national bidding guidelines. Its impact is truly far-reaching; today, the Delhi Metro runs approximately 60% of its daytime operations on clean energy supplied from Rewa—a unique feat of interstate institutional power supply. The project’s success earned it the prestigious World Bank Group’s President’s Award and a place in the Prime Minister’s “Book of Innovation,” while also being featured as a case study at Harvard and Singapore Management University.
Innovating for the Grassroots: Gram Urja Swaraj
Shri Srivastava’s vision is not limited to mega-scale projects; he has been equally passionate about decentralizing clean energy. He pioneered the “zero-investment” solar rooftop model, enabling institutions and even Panchayati Raj Institutions to adopt solar power without any upfront cost, ensuring savings for 25 years. Under the “Gram Urja Swaraj” initiative, he has worked to make villages self-reliant in energy, a move that aligns perfectly with the national goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Versatile Leadership and Impact
Throughout his 35-year career, Shri Srivastava has held several key positions, including Principal Secretary of Revenue, Technical Education, Skill Development, and Cottage & Rural Industries. In his previous stint in the power sector, he was instrumental in steering Madhya Pradesh to achieve 24×7 power supply, a major milestone in the state’s developmental history. His versatility was further evident during his tenure in the Government of India, where he managed the natural gas sector with high distinction.
Known for his integrity and quiet efficiency, Shri Srivastava has also served as the President of the MP IAS Association, where he was respected by his peers for his balanced and professional leadership.
Why is he one of the ‘Stars of MP’?
Shri Manu Srivastava is one of the ‘Stars of MP’ because he is a rare “Technocrat-Administrator” who has used his IIT-honed intellect to provide tangible, large-scale benefits to the people of Madhya Pradesh and India. He is not just an officer who manages departments; he is an innovator who reimagines them.
His work has saved the state thousands of crores in energy costs and reduced carbon emissions by millions of tonnes annually—equivalent to planting millions of trees. By proving that green energy is not just an environmental necessity but an economic advantage, he has inspired a national movement. For his visionary leadership in the energy sector and his commitment to building a sustainable future, Shri Manu Srivastava is truly one of the brightest ‘Stars’ of Madhya Pradesh.
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