India’s power sector is moving towards a more connected, intelligent, and data-driven energy ecosystem. From the rapid deployment of smart meters to the growing role of edge intelligence and energy management solutions, technology is reshaping how utilities manage the grid and serve consumers.

In the August–September 2026 issue of Electrical & Power Info, Gurpreet Oberoi, Chief Business Officer at Kimbal, shares his perspective on the evolution of India’s smart metering market, Kimbal’s technology and manufacturing capabilities, and the company’s vision for the future of intelligent energy systems. The conversation covers Kimbal’s work across Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Edge Intelligence, Energy Management Solutions, and digital manufacturing, while also reflecting on Gurpreet’s three-decade journey in the energy sector.

Interview with Electrical & Power Info Magazine

India is witnessing rapid growth in smart metering. How do you see this market evolving, and what role is Kimbal playing in this transformation?

India’s smart metering journey has reached an inflection point. What began as an initiative to improve billing efficiency is now becoming the foundation of a more intelligent, resilient, and data-driven power distribution ecosystem. As utilities prepare for higher renewable energy integration, EV adoption, and increasingly dynamic load patterns, smart meters are evolving into the edge devices that enable real-time visibility, automation, and better grid decision-making. With RDSS targeting around 250 million smart meters, India is building one of the world’s largest digital utility transformations.

At Kimbal, we see ourselves as an energy engineering company enabling this transformation through an integrated AMI ecosystem. Alongside our third-generation smart meters, we have developed our indigenous IP-based K-Mesh communication stack, Head-End System, and Edge Intelligence capabilities to help utilities derive operational value from data, not just collect it. Having supplied over 12.5 million smart meters and built an installed base and order book of over 9 million RF Network Interface Cards, our focus remains on delivering reliable, scalable, Made-in-India solutions for utilities across diverse operating environments.

Looking ahead, our ambition extends beyond scale. We are building globally relevant technologies that combine strong energy engineering with Edge Intelligence, enabling utilities across diverse markets to accelerate their digital transformation and build more resilient, future-ready grids. Our goal is to make the experience gained from India’s energy transition relevant wherever utilities are shaping the next generation of electricity networks.

With technology becoming central to energy management, how is Kimbal helping utilities improve efficiency, reliability, and consumer experience?

Utilities today are managing a far more dynamic energy ecosystem with distributed energy resources, microgrids, prosumers, and increasing demand for real-time grid intelligence. Addressing these challenges requires technologies that can analyse data closer to where it is generated and translate it into faster operational decisions.

At Kimbal, we are investing in technologies that bring intelligence to the grid edge. Our Kimbal EI (Edge Intelligence) platform enables utilities to support distributed intelligence, faster application deployment, and future-ready energy services, allowing smart meters to evolve into intelligent grid assets rather than data collection devices. Through our collaboration with MicroEJ, we are building a software-defined foundation that enables utilities to introduce new capabilities over time while adapting to evolving operational requirements.

Beyond the grid edge, Kimbal Urja extends intelligence across the energy ecosystem through advanced Energy Management Solutions. By providing real-time visibility, demand optimisation, and actionable insights, it helps utilities, industries, and commercial consumers manage increasingly complex energy environments, including distributed energy resources, microgrids, and prosumer participation.

Technology leadership is equally reflected in how we manufacture. At the Kimbal Mega Plant, digital manufacturing powered by our in-house Manufacturing Execution System (MES), advanced SMT lines, automation, and Special Purpose Machines (SPMs) enables consistent quality, end-to-end traceability, and production at scale. This integrated engineering approach allows us to deliver reliable, future-ready technologies that utilities can depend on throughout their digital transformation journey.

Kimbal has built strong capabilities in smart meters and energy solutions. What differentiates your approach from others in the market?

What differentiates Kimbal is our belief that the future of the power sector will be shaped by intelligent, connected, and software-driven energy systems. Our focus has always been on building technologies that help utilities address both today’s operational priorities and tomorrow’s grid requirements.

This approach is reflected in how we are investing across the energy value chain. Alongside strengthening our Advanced Metering Infrastructure capabilities, we are advancing Edge Intelligence to bring intelligence closer to the grid, enabling faster decision-making and supporting the evolution of smart meters into intelligent grid assets. We are also expanding our capabilities in Energy Management Systems through Kimbal Urja, with a focus on emerging areas such as distributed energy resources, prosumers, microgrids, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), helping utilities prepare for a more distributed and dynamic energy ecosystem.

Another important differentiator is our ability to translate innovation into reliable execution. From product engineering and software development to advanced digital manufacturing at the Kimbal Mega Plant, our teams work as one integrated ecosystem. This enables us to develop, validate, and scale new technologies with speed while maintaining the quality, reliability, and consistency that utilities expect.

As our international footprint continues to grow, we are building globally relevant technologies that can adapt to diverse utility environments. For us, differentiation comes from continuously investing in innovation that enables utilities to build smarter, more resilient, and future-ready energy networks.

On a personal note, what inspired you to enter the energy sector, and what has been your most rewarding experience so far?

Over the last three decades, what has kept me connected to the energy sector is its constant evolution and its direct impact on people’s lives. Every utility, every region, and every project presents a different set of challenges, and that continuous learning has made this journey both engaging and fulfilling.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to work closely with utilities across the country. Whether it is interacting with utility leaders, visiting project sites with our delivery teams, or participating in industry forums, every conversation offers a new perspective. Those interactions have reinforced an important lesson for me: meaningful innovation begins with understanding real operational challenges and building solutions around them.

It is equally rewarding to see those conversations translate into technologies that create value on the ground. Watching the industry progress from early smart metering initiatives to intelligent, data-driven energy ecosystems has been a remarkable journey, and I feel privileged to contribute to it alongside our customers, partners, and the talented teams at Kimbal.

For me, the most satisfying part is seeing an idea move from a discussion table to successful implementation. Knowing that something your team has built is helping a utility operate more efficiently or serving millions of consumers gives you a real sense of purpose.

Conclusion

The interview reflects Kimbal’s broader focus on building technologies that support the evolving needs of utilities and the wider energy ecosystem. As India’s power sector moves towards greater digitalisation, distributed energy resources, and real-time intelligence, Kimbal continues to invest in engineering, software, manufacturing, and energy management capabilities that can support this transition. From smart metering and grid-edge intelligence to advanced energy management, Kimbal is focused on developing Made-in-India, globally relevant technologies for the next generation of energy networks.