The past year saw several leadership changes at both the ministerial level and in prominent public and private renewable energy companies. New ministers have taken charge at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Ministry of Power (MoP). Management changes have also taken place in major public sector undertakings, including NHPC Limited and NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPCREL). Moreover, private players including Suzlon, Waaree Energies, Cleantech Solar, Gensol Engineering, AMPIN Energy Transition, Sunsure, Vikram Solar, Alpex, Saatvik Solar and the KP Group have announced senior management changes. A look at the key recent appointments….
MINISTRY CHANGES
Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Power, and Housing and Urban Affairs
In June 2024, Manohar Lal Khattar assumed the roles of union minister for power and housing and urban affairs, succeeding R.K. Singh. Prior to this, Khattar served as the chief minister of Haryana for two consecutive terms. He graduated from the University of Delhi. At a recent press conference, he stated that the achievements in the power sector during the first 100-day period of the new government demonstrate the ministry’s focus on policy reforms and the introduction of new initiatives, which will go a long way in strengthening and empowering the sector.
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy
Pralhad Joshi took over as union minister for new and renewable energy in June 2024. This is in addition to his role as minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution. A five-time Member of Parliament, Pralhad Joshi managed the coal, mines and parliamentary affairs portfolios in the last cabinet. His tenure in these ministries was marked by several key initiatives aimed at reforming and streamlining operations in the coal and mining sectors, as well as enhancing the efficiency of parliamentary proceedings.
Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy
In June 2024, Shripad Yesso Naik assumed the role of minister of state for power and new and renewable energy. A Member of Parliament from the North Goa constituency, Naik has, in the past, served as minister of state across diverse ministries including tourism; ports, shipping and waterways; and health and family welfare.
Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, MNRE
In October 2024, Prashant Kumar Singh took over as secretary of MNRE, succeeding Bhupinder Singh Bhalla. Previously, Singh served as a senior official in the MoP, where he was instrumental in driving reforms and programmes aimed at improving energy access and efficiency. A 1993 batch IAS officer from the Manipur cadre, Singh has held several notable government positions throughout his career, including managing director of the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Government e-Marketplace. He has served in various ministries, including roles as deputy secretary in the Ministry of Steel and joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Raj Kumar Chaudhary, CMD, NHPC Limited
Raj Kumar Chaudhary took charge as chairman and managing director (CMD) of NHPC Limited in the past year. He joined NHPC in 1989 at the Koel Karo Hydroelectric Plant in Jharkhand and has since served in various departments, including cost engineering and design and engineering both at the corporate office and at various hydroelectric projects (HEPs), including NHPC’s Koel Karo, Kalpong, Teesta V and Subansiri Lower HEPs. He has also served as director (technical) at the Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu II projects in Bhutan. He has experience in all aspects of hydroelectric project development, from concept to commissioning, and has contributed to the development of hydropower in India and Bhutan. Later in the year, he was assigned the additional role of CMD of SJVN Limited.
Sarit Maheshwari, CEO, NTPCREL
Sarit Maheshwari assumed charge as CEO at NTPCREL in the past year. He has over two decades of experience in the energy sector, having begun his career with NTPC Limited, spending nine years in the technical domain at various gas power stations, and specialising in the erection, commissioning and maintenance of gas turbines. This was followed by a decade in fuel management and upstream oil and gas. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Aligarh University, an MTech in power generation technology from IIT Delhi, and an MBA in marketing management.
Harsh Baweja, Director (Finance), REC Limited
REC Limited appointed Harsh Baweja as director (finance) in May 2024. A chartered accountant with over 33 years of experience, Baweja has held key roles in managing financial operations and business challenges, including addressing stressed assets and driving REC’s renewable energy financing initiatives. Previously, he was executive director (finance) at REC, where his efforts contributed to achieving a net zero non-performing asset status.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Manoj Kohli and Mahesh Makhija, Board of Directors, Sunsure Energy
Sunsure Energy announced the appointments of Manoj Kohli and Mahesh Makhija to its board of directors. Kohli, with 45 years of leadership experience, was
previously the country head of SoftBank India and CEO of Bharti Airtel. He also led SB Energy, achieving the installation of 5 GW of renewable energy capacity. Makhija, with over two decades of renewable energy expertise, has held leadership roles at Apraava Energy and Arthur Andersen.
Vivek Srivastava, CEO, WTG Division, Suzlon
Vivek Srivastava was appointed CEO of the WTG Division, reporting to the group CEO of Suzlon, effective February 12, 2024. He has expertise in scaling businesses within the energy and mobility sectors. An alumnus of Malaviya Regional Engineering College, he began his career at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, where he spent a decade, before moving to Reliance Industries Limited, where he spent over 20 years, leading initiatives in network development, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), asset management, strategy, and business development. Prior to joining Suzlon, he served as group CEO of Waaree Energies.
Dr Amit Paithankar, CEO, Waaree Energies
Dr Amit Paithankar assumed the role of CEO of Waaree Energies in May 2024. Prior to this, he held several key management positions, including managing director for South Asia at Emerson Electric Co. (India) Private Limited. On his appointment to the new position, Paithankar remarked, “With the solar industry evolving continually, this is an opportune moment for significant growth. Waaree Energies has contributed to the clean energy landscape in India. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the company’s objective of providing sustainable energy solutions.” Paithankar has a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Mumbai and an MBA from the London School of Business and Finance.
Dr Alok Das, Group CEO, KP Group
In November 2024, the KP Group appointed Dr Alok Das as its group CEO. With over 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, he will oversee 35 companies within the group, including KPI Green Energy and KP Energy. Das is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, where he earned a PhD in renewable energy. He has previously held key positions at leading industry firms such as Suzlon Energy, Reliance Energy and NEPC Michon Limited.
Aditya Sehgal, CEO, Alpex Solar Limited
In July 2024, Alpex Solar appointed Aditya Sehgal as its new CEO. With over 37 years of experience, including 17 years in the renewable energy sector, Gupta previously served as the chief financial officer (CFO) of the company, a position that is now being filled by Amit Ghai. Sehgal is a graduate in electrical engineering from the University of California. He has experience in developing complex robotic technologies, automated checkout solutions and advanced battery systems. His expertise also includes vendor and
contract manufacturer management for high-volume electronics production.
Shilpa Urhekar, CEO, Solar EPC (India), Gensol Engineering Limited
In May 2024, Shilpa Urhekar was appointed as CEO, Solar EPC India, Gensol Engineering. Prior to joining Gensol, she served as country head (India) at Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited. In her new role, Urhekar will oversee the company’s solar EPC operations in India. Urhekar brings extensive experience in renewable energy and infrastructure development, having previously held leadership positions in the energy sector where she successfully led large-scale projects and strategic initiatives.
Ankit Jain, CFO, Gensol Engineering Limited
Gensol Engineering has appointed Ankit Jain as its CFO. He succeeds Jabir Mahendi Aga, who has moved into an expanded leadership role within the Gensol Group. With over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, Jain has held roles in fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and corporate governance. His career includes positions at Zetwerk India, Baker Hughes, Philips Lighting, GE Oil & Gas and KPMG.
Narayan Lodha, CFO, Vikram Solar Limited
Narayan Lodha was appointed as CFO of Vikram Solar in April 2024. With over 20 years of experience, he has held leadership roles at True North, Indian Energy Exchange, Ravindra Energy Limited and Bhilwara Energy Limited. He is a qualified chartered accountant and company secretary.
Abani Kant Jha, CFO, Saatvik Solar
Abani Kant Jha was appointed as CFO at Saatvik Solar in August 2024. He has over 25 years of extensive experience spanning the telecom, retail, technology and manufacturing industries. He previously served as director of business operations and CFO at Jindal Films. Jha’s career includes leadership positions at EaseMyTrip, the Aditya Birla Group, DP World and Reliance Industries.
Prabhu Narayan Singh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Waaree Energies
Waaree Energies announced the appointment of Prabhu Narayan Singh as chief sustainability officer in June 2024. With over three decades of industry experience, he leads the company’s environmental, social and governance initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
Amit Kumar Mittal, COO – C&I Business, AMPIN Energy Transition
In December 2023, Amit Kumar Mittal was appointed chief operating officer (COO) for the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Business at AMPIN Energy Transition. Mittal has 36 years of experience in renewable energy operations, covering solar, wind, hybrids, battery energy storage systems, green hydrogen, thermal and nuclear power plant engineering. He has worked with companies such as Radiance Renewables, First Solar, Reliance Power and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited. He is an alumnus of BITS, Pilani.
Ritesh Singhi, Vice-President and Country Manager (India), Cleantech Solar
Ritesh Singhi was appointed vice-president and country manager (India) at Cleantech Solar in January 2024. Prior to this, he served as COO for the C&I segment at AMPIN Energy Transition and previously held the position of chief procurement officer at CleanMax. With a focus on expanding the company in the C&I solar energy market, Singhi leads Cleantech Solar’s operations, strategy and business development in India.
Shashank Adlakha, COO, REnergy Dynamics
In November 2024, Shashank Adlakha was appointed COO of REnergy Dynamics. Adlakha has over 27 years of experience and has held roles in project development, execution and business development. He has led the execution of over 2 GW of renewable energy projects and India’s first commercial green hydrogen project.
