This March, in our Special edition of Enersider, we bring you ICONs—stories of leadership that changed the course of the energy sector. Featuring 10 towering visionaries across power, renewables and clean energy, this edition celebrates the minds, milestones and moments that continue to power India’s transformation.
Introduction –
For this special edition of Enersider, we turn the spotlight on those who have not merely witnessed India’s energy transition—but have defined it.
ICONs, our cover story, celebrates the Top 10 most influential and formidable figures in India’s energy ecosystem—leaders whose decisions have altered trajectories, built institutions and reimagined what is possible. Spanning power, solar, wind, green hydrogen and emerging frontiers, these names represent the commanding heights of the energy landscape.
Shortlisted after careful vetting of credentials, assessment of long-term influence, and weighing of their contributions to the sector, these ICONs stand apart not for titles alone but for the legacies they are building. The editorial feature traces their professional journeys, landmark decisions, and defining milestones that have reshaped businesses, policies, and pathways.
Together, these stories offer more than inspiration—they offer perspective. ICONs is our tribute to the legends whose vision continues to power the future.
Praj – https://www.praj.net/board-of-directors/pramod-chaudhari/
Professional Journey – 350 words / Milestones 5X50 words
- Praveer Sinha – Tata Power
- Professional Journey
Dr. Praveer Sinha has become one of the most influential voices shaping India’s power sector today. His journey reflects not just technical excellence, but a practical understanding of what India’s energy transition truly demands—on the ground, at scale, and over the long term. As Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Power, he leads one of the country’s oldest power companies through a carefully calibrated shift—from a legacy utility to a modern, clean-energy-driven enterprise.
Trained as an electrical engineer, Dr. Sinha brings a rare combination of academic depth and operational clarity to leadership. With a Master’s in Business Law, a PhD from IIT Delhi, and international research exposure, his perspective has always been multidisciplinary. Engineering discipline, legal insight, and strategic thinking come together in the way he approaches complex sectoral challenges.
Before assuming charge at Tata Power in 2018, Dr. Sinha headed Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, where he led one of the most notable turnaround stories in India’s power distribution landscape. Under his leadership, TPDDL evolved into a benchmark utility—embracing smart grid technologies, sharply reducing losses, and significantly improving service reliability. It was an early sign of his conviction that technology, when applied with intent, can transform both performance and public trust.
At Tata Power, this philosophy has translated into a decisive push towards renewables, solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and digital infrastructure. Initiatives such as the 1.1 GW solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, rapid expansion of group-captive renewable capacity, and the nationwide rollout of smart meters reflect a clear, long-term vision rather than isolated bets.
The impact has been measurable. Under Dr. Sinha’s stewardship, Tata Power has strengthened its balance sheet, deepened investor confidence, and crossed the ₹1 lakh crore market capitalisation milestone in 2023.
In a sector balancing legacy infrastructure and climate urgency, Dr. Praveer Sinha’s leadership stands out for its steadiness and substance—anchoring commercial success to the larger goal of building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future for India.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
2002 – Joins Tata Power and takes on leadership roles across operations and distribution
2007 – Appointed CEO, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL)
2010 – TPDDL recognised as India’s smart-grid benchmark
2018 – Appointed CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power
2020 – Drives decisive pivot towards renewables and digital solutions
2023 – Reappointed CEO & MD for second term
2023 – Tata Power crosses ₹1 lakh crore market capitalisation
2024 – Expands solar manufacturing and smart meter deployment
- Sumant Sinha – Renew
- Professional Journey
In India’s fast-evolving energy story, few leaders have shaped the narrative as decisively as Sumant Sinha. As the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ReNew, Sinha has been at the forefront of the country’s clean-energy transformation —steering a home-grown enterprise into a global renewable powerhouse while keeping climate responsibility firmly in focus.
When Sinha founded ReNew in 2011, renewable energy was still finding its footing in India. Solar and wind power were often seen as alternatives rather than essentials. Sinha saw things differently. He believed clean energy would not only address climate concerns but also become critical to India’s economic and energy security. That belief shaped ReNew’s early strategy—and continues to guide its evolution today.
Under his leadership, ReNew has grown into one of India’s largest renewable energy companies, with a wide portfolio of wind, solar, and hydro projects spread across several states. But scale alone has never been the end goal. Over time, the company has expanded into areas such as energy storage, solar manufacturing, green hydrogen, and carbon solutions—signalling a broader commitment to supporting the full transition to low-carbon energy.
Sinha’s steady and thoughtful approach to growth has been the subject of headlines in many major national dailies. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, he has focused on building a resilient business that can adapt to changing markets and policies. This approach has helped ReNew deliver clean electricity at scale while maintaining long-term stability.
Sinha’s influence extends well beyond ReNew. He is a leading voice in global climate discussions and serves as Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. In this role, he works alongside business leaders worldwide to push for faster and more coordinated climate action. His inclusion in the TIME100 Climate list further underlines the global relevance of his work.
At its heart, Sumant Sinha’s story is about purposeful leadership. By combining commercial discipline with climate ambition, he has shown that clean energy is not just an environmental choice—but a practical, scalable solution for India’s future.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
2011 — Found ReNew to accelerate India’s transition to clean, net-zero energy.
2016 — ReNew crosses 1 GW installed capacity, a first for an Indian renewables company.
2018 — Wins ET Entrepreneur of the Year (Energy) for leading ReNew’s rapid scale-up.
2021 — ReNew lists on Nasdaq at ~$4.5 B valuation under Sinha’s leadership.
2023 — Company rebrands from ReNew Power to ReNew, expanding decarbonisation solutions.
2024 — ReNew crosses 10 GW renewable asset capacity under Sinha.
2024 — Included in TIME100 Climate Leaders for climate leadership.
2025 — ReNew’s FY24-25 report marks 15 years of clean energy leadership with ~18+ GW portfolio.
- Girish Tanti – Executive Vice Chairman, Suzlon Group
- Professional Journey
Girish R. Tanti has been a defining presence in India’s wind energy sector for nearly three decades. In his role as Executive Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of the Suzlon Group, he has guided the company through the industry’s formative years to the present-day behemoth his company is.
Trained as an electronics and communications engineer and later with an MBA in the UK, Tanti entered Suzlon in the mid-1990s when wind energy was still nascent in India’s power discourse. Alongside his late brother Tulsi R. Tanti, he helped transform what began as a modest entrepreneurial venture in 1995 into a globally recognised wind energy company. From the outset, Girish Tanti gravitated toward the less visible but mission-critical aspects of the business — technology localisation, manufacturing strategy, global market entry, and operational scale.
Over the years, he played a defining role in building Suzlon’s international footprint, overseeing operations across Europe, the United States, and Asia. His work contributed to Suzlon becoming one of the few renewable energy companies from India to break into the global top tier of wind turbine manufacturers — a feat that reshaped perceptions of India’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
Yet Tanti’s influence extends well beyond Suzlon’s balance sheet. A consistent voice in industry forums, he has been deeply involved in shaping policy and market thinking around renewable energy. As Vice-Chair of the Global Wind Energy Council, Chair of GWEC India, and through leadership roles at CII’s renewable energy platforms, he has helped bridge industry realities with policy intent — particularly at moments when India’s wind sector required course correction and renewed confidence.
In recent years, his focus has turned sharply toward strengthening domestic manufacturing. Suzlon’s move to establish AI-enabled blade manufacturing facilities reflects this shift — signalling a belief that scale, technology, and resilience must sit at the heart of India’s energy transition.
In a sector shaped by change and uncertainty, Tanti’s leadership stands out for its consistency. His legacy is not in grand gestures, but in the resolve to keep building when conditions were at their toughest.
- Timeline /Milestones / Achievements
1995 – Co-founds Suzlon Group with Tulsi Tanti, entering India’s emerging wind energy sector.
Early 2000s – Establishes Suzlon’s presence across Europe, the US and Asia.
2006 – Plays key role in Suzlon’s acquisition of Belgian gearbox manufacturer Hansen Transmissions.
2008 – Suzlon enters the global top 5 wind turbine manufacturers, strengthening India’s presence on a global level.
2010s – Drives technology localisation and manufacturing expansion across India to strengthen Suzlon’s market hold.
2022 – Becomes Executive Vice Chairman after the passing of founder Tulsi R. Tanti.
2023 – Leads Suzlon’s operational turnaround and growing domestic order book amid India’s renewable expansion.
2024–25 – Guides Suzlon’s plans to expand manufacturing capacity, including advanced blade facilities to support rising wind demand.
- Pratik Agarwal – MD, Sterlite Electric and Chairman, Resonia
- Professional Journey
Pratik Agarwal stands among the key leaders driving India’s rapidly changing power transmission and clean energy landscape. As Managing Director of Sterlite Electric and Chairman of Resonia, he has played an important role in building the infrastructure that carries electricity across the country—from power generation centres to industries and cities—while also supporting the growing integration of renewable energy into the grid. His leadership combines strategic thinking with a strong focus on building long-term infrastructure for India’s energy transition.
Agarwal’s academic journey reflects a global outlook. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from London Business School. Over the past fifteen years, he has worked across key infrastructure sectors such as power transmission and ports, building experience in project development, investment planning and long-term business strategy.
A large part of Agarwal’s professional journey has been linked with the Sterlite Group’s power infrastructure business. During this period, Sterlite Power grew from a relatively small portfolio into a major transmission developer with projects in India and overseas. One of the significant milestones came when the company became the first Indian transmission developer to win projects in Brazil, marking its entry into the Latin American market. Another important development was the launch of IndiGrid, India’s first Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the power sector, which opened up a new channel for long-term investment in transmission assets.
A key turning point came when the group reorganised its power businesses into two specialised companies — Sterlite Electric and Resonia. Sterlite Electric focuses on manufacturing advanced power conductors, cables and providing engineering solutions, while Resonia is responsible for developing and operating large-scale transmission infrastructure. Agarwal plays a leadership role across both organisations, helping guide their growth while ensuring they work together within a shared strategic vision.
In addition, Agarwal also chairs Serentica Renewables, the group’s clean energy platform that aims to supply round-the-clock renewable power to large industrial consumers. Together, Sterlite Electric, Resonia and Serentica represent different parts of the energy ecosystem—from grid technology and transmission networks to renewable power generation.
Through this integrated approach, Agarwal has helped position the group at the centre of India’s expanding grid infrastructure and clean energy transition. As the country continues to scale up renewable energy and strengthen its power networks, the role of modern transmission systems will become even more critical in the days to come.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
2016 – Sponsored creation of IndiGrid, India’s first power-sector Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).
2017 – Led Sterlite Power’s expansion into Brazil, becoming the first Indian transmission developer to win projects in the country.
2018 – Sterlite Power secured six major transmission projects in Brazil, expanding its international transmission portfolio.
2020 – Oversaw continued expansion of Sterlite Power’s transmission portfolio, supporting India’s renewable energy integration into the national grid.
2022 – Received ‘CEO of the Year’ Award at the Economic Times Energy Leadership Awards.
2022 – Launched Serentica Renewables, focusing on clean energy supply for large industrial consumers.
2023–2024 – Leadership roles expanded across Sterlite Electric, Resonia, and Serentica, strengthening the renewable energy ecosystem.
- Rahul Munjal – Chairman and MD, Hero Future Energies
- Professional Journey
Rahul Munjal belongs to the third generation of the Munjal family that built the Hero Group into one of India’s most respected business houses. Today, as the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Future Energies, he has carved out a distinct space for himself within the group by focusing on the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector.
The son of Raman Kant Munjal and grandson of Hero Group founder Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Rahul Munjal grew up in a family closely associated with Indian industry. While the group’s legacy was built largely on its success in the two-wheeler business, Munjal chose to explore newer sectors where the next phase of growth was emerging. His early entrepreneurial venture, Easy Bill, a bill-payment services platform, offered him a close look at India’s power distribution ecosystem. That experience played a significant role in shaping his long-term interest in the energy sector.
In 2012, Munjal established Hero Future Energies as the Hero Group’s renewable energy wing. The idea was not simply to diversify the group’s business portfolio, but to build a company aligned with the global shift toward cleaner sources of power. Over the years, the company has grown into a significant player in renewable energy, developing wind and solar power projects across India and expanding into international markets.
Under Munjal’s leadership, Hero Future Energies has steadily scaled its operations while attracting investment from global institutions such as International Finance Corporation and KKR and Co Inc. and establishing its presence in Vietnam and UK. These partnerships have also helped the company strengthen its project pipeline and expand its renewable energy portfolio. In addition, the company is now beginning to explore technologies like energy storage and green hydrogen.
As Chairman and Managing Director, Munjal has focused on shaping the company’s long-term strategy while building international partnerships and expanding its clean energy footprint. His work reflects a broader shift among Indian business groups that are increasingly investing in sustainability-driven sectors as the country moves toward its net-zero target.
At Hero Future Energies, Munjal’s role has been crucial to positioning the company as a forward-looking renewable energy platform. That combination of legacy, entrepreneurship and commitment to clean energy is what makes Rahul Munjal a defining industry voice today
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
2000s – Launches Easy Bill, a bill-payment services company.
2012 – Founds Hero Future Energies, marking the Hero Group’s entry into renewable energy.
2013 – Commissions a 37.5-MW pilot wind project in Rajasthan, the company’s first renewable energy asset.
2017 – Secures $125 million investment from the International Finance Corporation
2018 – Expands Hero Future Energies’ renewable portfolio with wind and solar projects across states.
2024 – Announces plans to invest $20 billion to expand renewable capacity to 30 GW by 2030.
2024 – Signs MoU with Karnataka for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects.
- Manoj Upadhyay – Chairman & MD, ACME Group
- Professional Journey
Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of renewable energy in India, Chairman and Managing Director of ACME Group, Manoj Kumar Upadhyay, has led the company’s transformation from a technology solutions provider into a major clean-energy player. Over the years, his leadership has helped shape one of India’s most ambitious renewable energy enterprises.
Upadhyay comes from a technical background, holding a Diploma in Electronics Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In his early years, he worked across industries such as power, telecommunications, and energy management. These experiences gave him practical insight into how energy systems operate and where efficiencies could be improved, a knowledge that would later shape his entrepreneurial journey.
In 2003, Upadhyay founded ACME Group with a focus on providing energy management solutions, particularly for telecom towers that required reliable and efficient power. As the company grew, it expanded its technological capabilities and began exploring opportunities in clean energy. Spotting the long-term potential of solar power early, Upadhyay steered ACME into the renewable energy sector around 2009. The company went on to commission its first solar project in 2012, marking the beginning of its evolution into renewable power.
Under his leadership, ACME has steadily built a strong portfolio of renewable energy projects. Today, the company is involved in solar, wind and hybrid energy solutions, with a project pipeline that runs into several gigawatts. In recent years, ACME has also been exploring next-generation energy solutions such as green hydrogen and green ammonia, areas that are increasingly seen as significant for the global transition to clean energy.
Innovation has remained central to Upadhyay’s approach. Over the years, the group has developed technologies related to energy efficiency, storage and telecom infrastructure. His contributions to entrepreneurship and clean-energy innovation have been recognised through several honours, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Start-up) award in 2007.
What sets Manoj Upadhyay apart is his ability to anticipate where the energy sector is headed and to build businesses around those opportunities. His journey reflects a rare combination of engineering insight and entrepreneurial conviction, placing him among the prominent figures in India’s clean energy sector.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
2003 – Founded ACME Group, focusing on energy solutions for telecom infrastructure.
2007 – Received Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Start-Up category).
2009 – Led ACME’s entry into India’s solar energy sector.
2012 – Commissioned ACME’s first utility-scale solar power project.
2015 – Established ACME Solar Holdings to scale renewable energy business.
2017 – ACME crossed 1GW renewable energy capacity milestone.
2021 – Announced major green hydrogen and green ammonia projects.
2024 – ACME Solar Holdings listed on Indian stock exchanges.
- Mansi Madan Tripathi – SVP Lubricants APAC & Country Chair, Shell India
- Faruk Gulam Patel – Founder, Chairman – MD, KP Group
- Professional Journey
From a modest beginning to building a growing renewable energy enterprise, Faruk G. Patel, Founder and Chairman–Managing Director of KP Group, represents the spirit of new-age entrepreneurship. Over the past three decades, he has built a diverse business spanning solar, wind and infrastructure, transforming a small entrepreneurial venture into a growing clean-energy enterprise.
Patel’s story begins in Gujarat, where he grew up in a humble household. His father worked as a bus conductor, and Patel was educated in municipal schools in Surat. After completing a diploma in textile engineering, he began exploring business opportunities with limited resources but strong determination. In 1994, he founded KP Group with an initial capital of about ₹1 lakh—an endeavor that would eventually evolve into a multi-company enterprise.
In its early years, the group focused on logistics, construction and infrastructure services. One of its major growth phases came when the company entered telecom infrastructure through tower construction. Over time, KP Group executed projects across several states, building experience in engineering, project management and large-scale infrastructure execution.
A turning point in Patel’s journey came when he recognised the emerging potential of renewable energy in India. In 2008, KP Group entered the solar energy space through KPI Global Infrastructure, followed by the formation of KP Energy in 2010 to focus on wind energy. This strategic shift marked the group’s transition from a traditional infrastructure business to a renewable energy developer.
Under Patel’s leadership, KP Group has steadily expanded its footprint across solar parks, wind projects and renewable infrastructure services. Today, the group includes several companies working across power generation, fabrication and engineering support for renewable projects. The businesses have grown alongside India’s increasing focus on clean energy and sustainability.
Patel’s approach has largely centred on building integrated capabilities—from project development to execution—allowing the group to participate in multiple stages of the renewable energy value chain. As India continues to accelerate its transition toward greener sources of power, KP Group has positioned itself to be part of that long-term growth story.
Beyond business, Patel has also supported community initiatives through philanthropic work focused on education and social development.
Faruk G. Patel’s journey—from starting a business with limited capital to leading a renewable energy group—reflects the power of persistence and foresight. What sets him apart as an industry icon is his ability to recognise where the future of energy lies and build businesses that grow alongside that vision.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
1994 – Founded KP Group with ₹1 lakh logistics venture in Surat.
1997–2000 – Expanded into construction and telecom tower infrastructure projects.
2008 – Entered solar energy; founded KPI Global Infrastructure.
2010 – Launched KP Energy, expanding into wind power sector.
2015 – KP Energy transitions into publicly listed wind energy company.
2018 – Recognised with “Business Icon” and “Legends of Surat” honours.
2021 – Initiated green hydrogen venture under KP Group.
2024 – Awarded Mahatma Award for social impact and leadership.
- Prasad Panicker – Executive Chairman, Nayara Energy
- Professional Journey
With over forty years in the oil and natural gas sector, Prasad K. Panicker has spent much of his career working at the heart of refinery operations. Often described as a “refiner at heart,” he is known for his practical, hands-on approach and deep understanding of the industry. Throughout his journey, Panicker has helped strengthen major refinery operations while guiding companies toward a more integrated energy future that includes petrochemicals.
Born in Kerala, Panicker is a chemical engineer from the Government Engineering College Thrissur and pursued an MBA from the Cochin University of Science and Technology. Over the years, he further polished his leadership skills through executive programmes at Harvard Business School, Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. This blend of strong technical training and management insight defines his approach to leadership.
Panicker spent a sizable part of his early career with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, where he rose through the ranks to eventually lead the company’s Kochi refinery as Executive Director. During this period, he played an important role in strengthening refinery operations and advancing major expansion initiatives, including projects that integrated petrochemicals with refining operations. His work helped transform the Kochi facility into a more modern and diverse complex.
In 2020, Panicker joined Nayara Energy as Director and Head of Refinery, taking charge of the company’s flagship facility at Vadinar Refinery. Leading one of India’s largest refineries, he focused on improving operational reliability, safety and efficiency. Under his leadership, the refinery strengthened its performance through improved processes and adoption of new technologies.
Recognising his deep operational expertise and steady leadership, Nayara Energy appointed him Chairman in 2022. In this role, Panicker has been closely involved in guiding the company’s long-term growth strategy, including plans to expand into petrochemicals and strengthen its presence across India’s refining and distribution value chain.
Additionally, he is the Co-Chair of FICCI Committee on Hydrocarbons for the year 2024 and an active member of various industry bodies including CII, FIPI and ASSOCHAM.
It is this blend of experience, operational insight and long-term vision that has firmly established Prasad K. Panicker as a respected leader in India’s energy sector. His career reflects the quiet influence of leaders who build industries through operational excellence and strategic foresight.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
1982 – Begins career at Kochi Refinery, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.
2009 – Appointed Operations Chief, BPCL Mumbai Refinery.
2013 – Becomes Executive Director and Head, BPCL Kochi Refinery.
2015 – Leads Kochi refinery’s petrochemical integration initiatives.
2015 – Wins Dhanam Business Professional of the Year award
2019 – Retires from BPCL after leading Kochi refinery transformation.
2020 – Joins Nayara Energy as Director & Head of Refinery.
2022 – Appointed Chairman, Nayara Energy; continues as Head of Refinery.
- Sudhir Mehta – Torrent Power
- Professional Journey
While the Torrent Group began as a pharmaceutical enterprise, it was under Chairman Emeritus Sudhir Mehta’s leadership that the company made a decisive move into the energy sector. Over the years, Mehta has played a key role in building Torrent Power into a significant presence in India’s electricity generation and distribution ecosystem.
Born in Ahmedabad in 1954, Sudhir Mehta was raised in a family deeply connected to entrepreneurship. He is the son of U. N. Mehta, the founder of Torrent, who began the company in 1959 after working as a medical representative. Sudhir Mehta joined the business in the early 1970s, learning the ropes directly under his father’s guidance. Those early years gave him a practical knowledge of both the pharmaceutical industry and the realities of building a business from the ground up.
As the company grew, Mehta played a crucial role in strengthening Torrent Pharmaceuticals, which would go on to become the group’s flagship company. He was closely involved in setting up the company’s early manufacturing in Ahmedabad and expanding its international reach. One of the important milestones during this period was securing export orders from global markets such as Russia, helping the company establish its presence beyond India. Torrent Pharma’s growing export strength was eventually recognised with the President’s Award for outstanding pharmaceutical exports in the early 1990s.
Mehta’s vision, however, extended beyond pharmaceuticals. Recognising the long-term importance of energy infrastructure, he led the group’s entry into the power sector. Over time, this business evolved into Torrent Power, which today operates across power generation, transmission and distribution. A notable milestone in this journey was the successful commissioning of a large combined-cycle power project, an achievement that underscored the group’s ability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects.
After the passing of his father in 1998, Mehta took on the responsibility of leading the group through a period of rapid economic transformation in India. Under his guidance, the Torrent Group continued to expand its footprint while maintaining a strong reputation for operations and forward thinking.
Today, as Chairman Emeritus, Sudhir Mehta remains an influential figure within the group, offering strategic guidance while the next generation carries forward the legacy.
His journey reflects the qualities that define enduring business leadership—vision, resilience and the ability to build institutions that outlast individuals—making him a true industry icon.
- Timeline / Milestones / Achievements
1973 – Joins Torrent, working alongside founder U. N. Mehta.
1989 – Leads Torrent’s entry into power; acquires Mahendra Electricals.
1996 – Torrent acquires management control of Surat Electricity Company.
1997 – Torrent acquires Ahmedabad Electricity Company distribution business.
1998 – Becomes Chairman of Torrent Group after founder’s demise.
1998 – Commissions 655-MW Gujarat Torrent Energy Corporation power project.
2018 – Steps down as Executive Chairman; becomes Chairman Emeritus.
2024 – Steps down from Torrent Power board leadership role.
