With over 32 years of experience in various domains, including technology, engineering and business operations, Naresh Mansukhani, chief executive officer (CEO) at renewable independent power producer Juniper Green Energy, has worked on a wide range of projects. He holds the credit for launching the solar division of Orange Renewable as CEO. In the past, he has held roles such as CTO at ACME Solar Private Limited, operations head at Minda Sai Limited, business head at Wings Power Private Limited, and operations head at Ranutrol Instrumentation Limited. At Juniper, which has a portfolio of solar, wind and hybrid power projects, he manages the entire business cycle for his division, from securing new businesses to execution and operations under power
purchase agreements.
“India’s power sector is progressing steadily towards cleaner energy solutions,” he says. While coal remains crucial for energy security amid rising demand, its gradual reduction is being supported by growing renewable capacity and a more
resilient grid.
He also highlights India’s rapid growth and population expansion, which have led to a sharp increase in energy demand. “As the world’s third-largest energy consumer, India must balance this demand while transitioning to cleaner energy,” he notes. According to him, key challenges include rising loads and renewable integration, with around 17.68 per cent of the country’s transmission and distribution networks being outdated. This outdated infrastructure is causing inefficiencies, inflating costs and hindering the transition.
This is of greater concern due to India’s push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption to cut emissions. EVs currently use about 0.5 per cent of India’s electricity, but are expected to account for 6-8 per cent by 2035. This growth demands significant grid upgrades, encompassing charging infrastructure, energy storage and smart energy management, as rising demand from EV fleets and public transport is pressuring the grid, necessitating clean energy integration.
At Juniper, Mansukhani emphasises collaboration and proactive problem-solving, focusing on practical solutions over challenges. Expectations and goals are set clearly, ensuring everyone understands what they need to contribute to the larger objectives. Regular check-ins help track progress, and celebrating milestones is a vital part of the process of pushing the team forward.
