Appointment Designation – Public Member
- Appointed 2021
- Appointed Vice Chair 2021
- Reappointed 2025
Lead Commissioner for:
- Energy Assessments
- Energy Reliability
- Long-term Electricity Planning (Implementation of Senate Bill 100)
- Demand Analysis (Forecasting and Scenarios)
- Data Initiatives
Commissioner Siva Gunda is serving his second term on the California Energy Commission.
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Gunda in 2021 to serve as the Energy Commission’s public member and was later appointed to Vice Chair in September 2021. Gunda was reappointed in December 2025.
Gunda has been recognized for his leadership advancing solutions to complex energy challenges facing California, including grid reliability, petroleum issues, and the implementation of Senate Bill 100. He is the lead commissioner on energy assessments, energy reliability, long-term electricity planning, demand analysis, and data initiatives.
From 2017 to 2021, he held multiple roles at the CEC, including the manager for the Demand Analysis Office and deputy director for the Energy Assessments Division.
Before joining the CEC, Gunda worked at the Energy Efficiency Institute at the University of California, Davis from 2011 to 2017. He served as director of research and India initiatives, director of research, and program manager.
Gunda earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. He holds a master of science degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from Utah State University.
He is a serious cricket fan and former captain of his college team. He lives with his family in Davis.