Post the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, there has surprisingly been significant churn in the private sector, with senior business leaders moving to different professional avenues. Key changes have been witnessed at the top government level too in the power sector. Renewable Watch tracks the key recent movements in the sector, including in the gas and petroleum industry, given the focus on green hydrogen…
Public sector
Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power
Post serving as principal secretary (power), Uttar Pradesh government, and chairman of UP Power Transmission Corporation Limited, Alok Kumar assumed charge as secretary, Ministry of Power, in February 2021. He succeeded Sanjeev Nandan Sahai.
Suman Sharma, Managing Director, SECI
In August 2021, Suman Sharma was appointed managing director (MD) of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). A 1990 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service, Sharma succeeded Jatindra Nath Swain, who was serving as chairman and managing director (CMD) of SECI.
Arun Kumar Mishra, CEO, EESL
In October 2021, Arun Kumar Mishra was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) on deputation at Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). This followed the resignation of EESL’s executive vice-chairperson Saurabh Kumar. Mishra has extensive experience in the power sector, having worked with NTPC and the Power Grid Corporation of India in the past. He has also served as director of the National Smart Grid Mission.
Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman, IGL
In January 2021, Arun Kumar Singh, director (marketing) with additional charge as director (refineries) and director (finance) at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), assumed additional responsibility as chairman of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). He replaced P.K. Gupta, director (human resources), GAIL India, who had completed a two-year term at IGL. In September 2021, Singh was also appointed CMD of BPCL.
Rajiv Ranjan Jha, Director (Projects), PFC
In October 2021, Rajiv Ranjan Jha was appointed director (projects) at the Power Finance Corporation, with the responsibility of developing strategies to venture into new businesses and oversee ongoing projects. He was promoted from his previous post as executive director (projects).
Private sector
Srivatsan Iyer, Global CEO, Hero Future Energies
Srivatsan Iyer was appointed global CEO of Hero Future Energies, replacing Sunil Jain, in January 2021. Iyer earlier worked as vice-president of strategy, planning, innovation and technology at Braskem.
Amit Jain, Global CEO, Sterling and Wilson Solar
In June 2021, Amit Jain was appointed global CEO of Sterling and Wilson Solar, a Shapoorji Pallonji group company. Jain previously served as the company’s country head for the US and Australia. He succeeded Bikesh Ogra, who will now serve on the board of the company as a director.
Vivek Srivastava, CEO, WAAREE Energies Limited
Effective August 30, 2021, Vivek Srivastava took over as CEO of WAAREE Energies Limited. He was previously senior vice-president at Reliance BP Mobility Limited.
Suman Mishra, CEO, MEML
Suman Mishra, senior vice-president, business transformation, insight and analytics, automotive sector, was appointed CEO of Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited and chief executive designate of the last mile mobility business in August 2021. She replaced Mahesh Babu, who was serving as CEO and MD of MEML.
Venkatesh R., MD and Director, Energy Business, Wärtsilä India
In April 2021, Wärtsilä India appointed Venkatesh R. as MD and director, energy business, India. His previous role with Wärtsilä was as area director for Middle east Asia, based in Singapore. Venkatesh replaced Neeraj Sharma, who served as president and MD.
Himanshu Mody, CFO, Suzlon Energy
Himanshu Mody was appointed chief financial officer of Suzlon Energy with effect from August 1, 2021, replacing Swapnil Jain. Mody earlier worked as group executive director with Bennett Coleman & Co Limited and with the Essel Group.