FOREWORD The ongoing energy transformation, driven by renewables, is bringing far-reaching, systemic change to our societies. This offers important opportunities for greater inclusion and equality. Women and renewable energy have a synergistic, bidirectional role. Women can be key players in the rapidly expanding renewable energy space, and the renewable energy sector can play a crucial role in increasing women’s participation in a growing economy. Women have been involved in promoting adoption of energy access solutions, participating in the clean energy value chain, starting community enterprises and generally fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In our endeavour to celebrate the success of the Women in Renewable Energy sector, we have created a unique book "Asia's Most Powerful Women Leaders in Renewable Energy". The book provides insights on women's role in renewable energy employment and decision-making. It showcases the success stories of Asia's women leaders in clean energy and also provides a basis for further research that can inform evidence-based policy-making, it also adds to the momentum for closing the gender gap in renewable energy and beyond. We hope this collection will provide a rich source of inspiration for many women. Happy reading!
MESSAGE THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT (WE AS) WOMEN CAN ACCOMPLISH. – Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States of America
I appreciate First View’s initiative on launching “Asia’s most influential women in Renewable Energy (RE)” towards recognizing and acknowledging the potential of women in the field of Renewable Energy. This initiative will certainly trigger celebration of commitment, courage and confidence of exceptional women across different segments in Renewable Energy space in Asia and globally. It will equally inspire women achievers to further motivate and empower women in the direction of transforming the world into a clean, green and a better place to live in. I have always admired the role played by women in propagation of RE across the value chain as it leads to more importantly addresses the energy access to the need, results in increased uptake of effective clean energy initiatives and expand emission reduction opportunities. However, while more attention is being paid to the imperative role of women in the energy sector, it still lacks recognition of women and portrays as mere passive users of energy. Unfortunately, India has the lowest rate (26%) of women participation (excluding Arab countries) across the economy as compared to the global levels of 46%. This lowest rate further falls to below 20% if share of women in agricultural sector is excluded (which employs over half of the country’s female workers (ILO, 2018)). Today, as we see around the world, women are underrepresented in the renewable energy sector, where they comprise an average of only 32% of the total workforce. In India, women account for an estimated 11% of the workforce in the rooftop solar sector, significantly less than this global average. However, it is higher than the percentage (<10%) of women in other energy sectors in India, such as coal, oil and gas companies, and electricity utilities. Interestingly a survey on women in rooftop solar sector in India by CEEW and IEA shows that the participation is relatively high in the design and pre-construction phase, and corporate functions (at 18% and 34%, respectively) as compared to construction and commissioning (<3%), and operations and maintenance (<1%), which involves frequent travel and onsite project work. At the same time, India has the world’s highest share (30%) of female students studying engineering and technology. Through this First View’s lovely and relevant intervention, I am happy that a platform is now established where the active role played by women in RE is highlighted widely thereby motivating and encouraging their role in RE sector participation at all levels. While I think there is a tremendous potential to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the clean energy sector, there is a concern that women will become more marginalised if gender neutral policies and programmes are not proactively planned and implemented. In the absence of proper training, education, apprenticeships, employment opportunities, financial tools and supportive social policies, transitioning to clean energy may exacerbate existing gender inequalities. It may also hinder broader human development, poverty alleviation and the employment goals. We all should be increasingly made aware that women have the capability to represent key energy managers, contributors and beneficiaries of RE and Energy Efficiency (EE) projects. Recognition and awards become practical tools in spreading and broadcasting the unparalleled work that influential women leaders are implementing across Asia and worldwide. The exceptional women in the field of RE identified in this report possess vision, innovation, entrepreneurial drive, leadership, individuality and tenacity who shall become role models for other women to aspire to. I congratulate First View for this ingenuity in awarding Asia’s most influential women in RE. This will assuredly provide a platform to seek out successful and talented achievers and visionaries making a difference in the growing field of RE. This will result in active engagement between different communities to further encourage and reassure women’s economic and financial independence by increasing income-generating opportunities and enhancing women’s social and political status.
YUVARAJ DINESH BABU Executi ve Di rector TAS CF – Lead Advi sory
MARKET MAKERS WOMEN IN KEY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS THAT FUEL THE GLOBAL RENEWABLE ENRGY ECONOMY
All pages are arranged in the alphabetical order of the first name
ANJULI CHANDRA MEMBER PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (PSERC) Ms. Anjuli Chandra Currently a Member at Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, is a former Central Power Engineering Services (CPES) cadre officer and Ex Principal Chief Engineer,
She has also planned the SubTransmission and Distribution system of Thimpu and Paro cities of Bhutan under the aegis of Ministry of Power and Ministry of External affairs GOI.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
She has prepared the 19th Electrical Power
She is a gold medalist in Electrical Engineering
for perspective planning of the power sector for
from Thappar Institute of Engg and Technology and gold medallist in MBA from Punjabi University, Patiala. She is a certified Energy auditor from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. During her stint at CEA, she worked in various formations viz Renewable energy sources, power survey and load forecasting, power system monitoring, generation monitoring, Design of Hydro projects project appraisal and Distribution planning & Development. She was Chief Engineer Renewable energy sources in central Electricity authority
survey report of CEA which is the base document the next 20 years. She has framed and notified Regulations for Multi-Year Tariff, Supply Code, Grid code, Open access, forecasting and Scheduling for renewable generators, Renewable Purchase Obligations and Net Metering for renewable energy sources. She has brought out the Crisis and Disaster Management Plan for Power sector. Her areas of interest include Regulation, Integration of renewable energy sources in the Grid, Smart Grid, Intelligent Metering and Loss Reduction Strategies.
when the programme for scaling up of Renewable energy to 175 GW was adopted by GOI She was associated in the making of plans policies and Regulations for integration of Renewable energy in the Grid. She served as the Executive Director Tariff & Engineering in Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission for about 4 years on deputation Apart from her many contributions in power sector she remained advisor cum consultant to the State of Jammu and Kashmir for APDRP programme of GOI. She has planned the Distribution system of Jammu urban area and Srinagar.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 42 | SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+
I FEEL THAT RENEWABLE ENERGY IS NO LONGER A CHOICE BUT AN IMPERATIVE. THERE WILL BE DIFFICULTIES IN INTEGRATING LARGE SCALE RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE GRID BUT NOT WITHSTANDING THE CHALLENGES I EXPECT TO SEE A FUTURE WHERE WE WILL BE LARGELY POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY."
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EKTA MEHRA SENIOR SECTOR SPECIALIST ENERGY AND FINANCE KFW Renewable Energy is a focal area of KfW India and seen as one of the key sustainable ways for growth. In KfW, Ekta has worked on the € 100 mn Solar Line of Credit with Bank of Baroda which seeks to finance a mix of solar ground mounted projects, solar rooftops and other small She has over twelve years of experience as a finance professional, first as an Investment Banker with SBI Capital Markets then in Development Finance as Senior Sector Specialist with KfW, the German Development Bank. As an Investment Banker she worked in Infrastructure Project Finance across the entire value chain – from project appraisal, financial modelling to debt syndication and disbursement. She also developed a deep understanding of the importance of structuring finance to ensure project success. As a mother of two daughters, she views her work with KfW India as solving real problems faced by the community and creating project ideas which contribute to sustainable economic development with environmental consciousness.
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solar applications, and € 250 mn Line of Credit with SBI for Energy Efficient Residential Housing. She is also involved in the existing € 150 mn KfW Solar Line of Credit with SBI.
INCREASING ACCESS TO FINANCE IS A CRITICAL FACTOR FOR MAINSTREAMING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA!” ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
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FARZANA RAHMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND UNIT HEAD (INVESTMENT), RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED (IDCOL)
Farzana led a team that contributed to create
Moreover she has managed training programs on
business model based off-grid solar programs
Renewable Energy for delegations from Ethiopia,
which provided access to energy to otherwise
Sudan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Nepal, Afghanistan. I
energy-deprived population of rural Bangladesh.
shared my unique experience on Renewable
She along with her team have successfully
Energy program implementation at international
encouraged many local and international private
conferences held in USA, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
sector organisations and individuals to participate
China, South Korea, Philippines, Ethiopia &
in these programs as sponsors, technical
Nigeria.
solutions providers, experts, etc. which have helped into creating a balanced framework for program implementation. All these programs have not only appeared as climate-friendly energy solution for the country but also created international example for dissemination of clean energy technologies in rural areas. With over 13 years of project planning, development, and management experience, she lead four Renewable Energy programs that generate 50 MW clean electricity for 50, 000 rural people in Bangladesh. Farzana also supported by multilateral agencies and globally acclaimed as sustainable business model, so far, 26 solar mini-grids, 1500 solar Irrigation pumps, and 15 other renewable energy projects have been successfully implemented
KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND AND REACH FOR THE SKY. DO NOT FORGET THE DEPRIVED ONES THAT YOUR CREATOR HAS CREATED YOU TO SERVE."
under these programs.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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KUMUD WADHWA SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER NPMU NATIONAL SMART GRID MISSION
Ms. Kumud Wadhwa has more than 30 years of
Earlier as part of ISGTF, she played an
Cross-Domain experience in Power Sector-
instrumental role in design of Road Map for
spanning across Project planning and
Smart Grids in India targeting grid efficiency,
management for Transmission projects, IT
flexibility & sustainability, Pilot Program
projects and Smart Grid projects in Distribution.
management and Launch of Smart Grid
She joined National Thermal Power Corporation
Knowledge portal. She did her MBA in
in 1989 and spent initial few years at a 400kv
Information Systems from MDI and Electrical
substation managing erection, testing and
Engineering from NIT Kurukshetra.
commissioning works and also set up a special test lab for breaker timings, oil testing, energy
She is also nominated as Indian expert in ISGAN
meter testing etc. Thereafter she was in the
annexes, member of BIS LITD 10 and Mission
planning department and then moved to an IT
Innovation agenda.
function in 2003. She designed and developed a prototype of project management system on Microsoft platform and online asset management system for transmission system that was shortlisted as one of the top 20 IT implementations in India in 2009 by leading magazine PCQUEST. She is currently working as Senior General Manager in the Project Management Unit at National Smart Grid Mission supporting the Ministry of Power for design and development of Smart Grid and capacity building initiatives for Smart Grid.
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ABUNDANT SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM SUN AND WIND TOGETHER WITH SMARTER GRIDS WILL LEAD TO A GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE’’. ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
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MANI KHURANA SENIOR ENERGY SPECIALIST WORLD BANK
M a n i l e a d s a $ 2 b i l l i o n p r o g r a m i n e n e rg y i n I n d i a . W o r k i n g f o r o v e r t w e l v e y e a rs i n World Bank and leading investment p r o j e c t s a n d a n a l y t i c a l a c t i v i t i e s a c ro s s e n e r g y s e c t o r v a l u e c h a i n . T h e s e p ro je c ts r a n g e f r o m m i n i g r i d p r o j e c t s , s o la r r o o f t o p p r o j e c t s t o l a r g e s c a l e d i s tri b u ti o n r e f o r m s a c r o s s I n d i a . T h i s i n c l u d e s th e World Bank solar rooftop project which f a c i l i t a t e d t o k i c k s t a r t t h e s o l a r ro o f to p development in India. This project not o n l y p r o v i d e s c o n c e s s i o n a l l o a n s f o r s o la r rooftop projects in Commercial and I n d u s t r i a l s e g m e n t s b u t a l s o w o rk s a c ro s s 1 7 s t a t e s t o b u i l d t h e e c o s y s t e m f o r s o la r rooftop. She and her team focus on b u i l d i n g c o n s e n s u s a n d b r i n g i n g c la ri ty o n p o l i c y a n d r e g u l a t o r y m a t t e r s , b u i ld i n g capacity and creating awareness about solar rooftop. The program has been highly successful.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SOLAR ENERGY IS NOT JUST FOR THE ELITE AND WEALTHY. TODAY, WITH GROWING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TAKING POWER GENERATION INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, SOLAR ENERGY HAS BECOME THE WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST DEMOCRATIC SOURCE OF POWER - OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE." 6
DR. MEGHA PUSHPENDRA LEAD-STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)
Megha worked as a communication lead at
rooftop and also worked as Communication lead
International- intergovernmental level (ISA),
for Global RE-INVEST, India –ISA Partnership
with Federal government (MNRE, GOI) and with
Renewable Energy Investor’ s meet and
Provincial government (GOMP) to build the
Exposition. Megha broke the stereotype, raised
communication ecosystem & outreach for
and sustained a challenging career after a hiatus
renewable energy especially Solar since the
of 10 years in professional life, and proved that
adoption of Paris Climate Agreement. She even
motherhood and career break can not stop the
represented ISA in Paris Peace Forum (2018),
force in an educated woman’ s life if she gets
Paris, UNSSCO- Asia Pacific Regional High-Level
encouragement and confidence from mentors,
Forum on Green Economy (2091), Bangkok, Sun
co-workers and family. All she needs is keep
World (2019) in Peru (Latin America). Moreover
developing her skill set with the changing world
she has even achieved an appreciation from
environment and needs.
MNRE, GOI and an appreciation from GOMP. She was also responsible for strategizing and implementing the communication and outreach of the global investors meet; REINVEST, flagship event of the host country from 2017 till present. She also lead communication for Government of Madhya Pradesh’s RESCO 1 & 2 Project for solar
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FOCUS AND POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND CAN CHANGE ANY PARADIGM!" ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
RUCHIKA DRALL ASSISTANT MANAGER (ENVIRONMENT), INDIAN RENEWABLE ENERGYDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (IREDA) Ruchika Drall has over 13 years of experience in
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit of
the field of sustainability, renewable energy and
IREDA became functional in 2015 with her
climate change. She holds a Master’ s degree in
joining. One of the first activities she undertook
Energy Systems from University of Petroleum &
was the development of IREDA’ s Environmental
Energy System with the University Silver Medal.
and Social Management System to define
She enhanced her skills in sustainability with a
processes and procedures to be followed to
PG Diploma in Environment and Sustainable
ensure the E&S safeguards in all the IREDA
Development. She completed her Bachelor’ s
funded projects. The objective of this system is
degree in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi
to make the renewable energy projects truly
University. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph. D in
sustainable by minimising and mitigating
Renewable Energy Access from UPES, Dehradun.
whatever negative impacts they may have on the surroundings and the community around.
She is a certified Lead Auditor for ISO 14001: 2015 on Environmental Management Systems
Going forward, she hopes to continue working in
with a Gold Seal. She has undertaken GRI
the sector towards building a sustainable world.
Certified Training Course on GRI Sustainability
She wishes to be instrumental in bringing real
Reporting Standards. She has been actively
changes in the lives of those who have been
presenting and participating at various forums to
deprived of the basic energy needs.
ensure continuous learning. She started her career in 2007 with ICF International which is a US based consulting firm. As a young professional in a multinational consulting firm she worked on various sectors across various geographies across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Currently, Ruchika is working at Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) as Assistant Manager (Environment).
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, LET’S MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRULY SUSTAINABLE.” 8
BUSINESS WOMEN THE RISK TAKERS, ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS LEADING FROM THE FRONT
All pages are arranged in the alphabetical order of the first name
CHETNA MOHAN PRESIDENT EL CAMINO TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD She is engaged in promoting manufacturing solutions for solar industries by providing novel Technology solutions from Top Tier Solar International organisations to R&D Labs and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in the Chetna Mohan is an entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in the fields of Solar PV (Photovoltaic), Semiconductors, RF(radiofrequency) and microwave. She came in naive into the family business and learnt every detail from scratch. Being a co-founder of a successful US based BPO(business process outsourcing) company, earned her Master’ s in Business Administration (MBA)- 10 years ago in marketing and Digital Marketing from IIM Bangalore and is currently a dynamic leader in this field. She is a specialist in solar technology right from acquiring raw materials, equipment from international sources, to sales and advice to clients in various industries for different applications. She envisions new technologies, strategizes business processes and establishes client relationships.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
Indian market. She has put El Camino Technologies–Solar in the forefront in providing products and solutions for testing labs enabling them to test the modules as per International standards. This in turn can put India in the forefront using the top end technology. She takes immense pride in the expertise she has gained in renewable energy and finds it gratifying to share her knowledge with people who want to learn about this subject.
ETERNAL INDISPENSABLE RESOURCE, EMPOWERING AND ENCOURAGING POSTERITY TO LIVE UNANIMOUSLY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT - 'PARADISE"
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KANIKA KHANNA CEO SUNKALP ENERGY
Kanika has since established Sunkalp Energy’ s dominance in North and West India, through presence in 7 states, a portfolio of over 200 customers and a sustained 50% CAGR. Kanika has an MS in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’ s degree from the Delhi College of Engineering. Her work is centred on the use of data and technology to
The project which was a first of its kind AC microgrid providing electricity to an entire village and it became the topic of many case studies. Kanika quickly established, through advocacy, systems and standards that the industry eventually followed. Kanika, along with her team, also launched a mobile app based platform that initiated the price transparency in the rooftop
make rooftop solar an organized industry. She has
solar industry and was used by aspiring solar
Delhi Alumni Association. Kanika has a decade of
Ventures.
held visiting faculty positions for Entrepreneurship companies. This work also won a grant from IIM Ahmedabad’ s venture capital arm, Infuse at IILM, IIT Delhi and serves on the Board of MIT experience in distributed energy generation, starting with her work at the headquarters of Cummins Engine Company in Indianapolis. At Cummins, Kanika worked in Manufacturing Quality of highly complex diesel engines. She also did Systems Integration for Cummins’ turbochargers, wherein she worked on products for key clients including Chrysler. On her return to India, Kanika expanded the business for the Bhagwan Dass Khanna Group with Sunkalp Energy- a solar EPC company which focused specifically on roof-top solar power. Kanika started her renewable energy journey in 2012- when the industry was still at a nascent stage- with a crowd funded rural micro grid in Uttar Pradesh.
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WE AS AN INDUSTRY ARE OVERTHINKING RENEWABLE ENERGY. WHILE WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF CREATING DEMAND AND BRINGING MANY RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS BELOW GRID PARITY, NOW IS THE TIME TO FOCUS ON QUALITY, PROFITABILITY AND GROWTH."
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
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MIRUNALINI VC DIRECTOR SWELECT ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD
Mirunalini Chellappan a Member of the Board of
Served as a platform for Swelect’ s current IPP /
Directors at Swelect Energy Systems Ltd, is a
Energy Sale Division. Currently, she is a core
second-generation entrepreneur driven by
member of the Strategy team of the IPP / Energy
passion for a sustainable future and Cleantech,
Sale Division of Swelect.
specifically Solar. With a decade of experience in the Solar Industry with hands on experience of
Played an instrumental role in the company’ s
products and projects. Her core values are
acquisition strategy and Change management
customer first, quality products and people
post acquisition. She streamlined the Supply
relationships are priceless.
Chain and brought in innovative cost reduction / management
She believes that success comes from not just
Techniques. She played a pivotal role in doubling
hard work, but smart work and willingness to work
the production and sales volume within the first
bottom up. A voracious appetite for new learning
year of heading the division.
opportunities and innovative technologies. In short, a technocrat with strong business acumen.
She has a degree in M. S (POWER ELECTRONICS), TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE STATION,
Currently, the Head of the Solar PV Module
AUG 2008, B. E (EEE), COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,
Manufacturing Division (Brand Name: HHV Solar
GUINDY, INDIA, JUN 2002 – MAY 2006.
Technologies – HHV ST), Head of Products & Special Projects, she established the Solar Product Division for Swelect in 2008 and
IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE
successfully spearheaded the launch of complete
IN THE RENEWABLE SECTOR.
range of Solar Products under the Swelect brand
WE NEED TO RENEW THE
adding to the company’ s top and bottom line in a span of 5 years. Under the project management portfolio, she set up the EPC / Projects Division for MW projects for Swelect in 2011. Successfully led the team to complete Swelect’ s very first MW project in 2012.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 42 | SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+
IDEAS, POLICIES, SKILL SET & TECHNOLOGY. BASICALLY, RENEWING THE RENEWABLE SECTOR IS THE KEY TO SUSTAINABILITY”.
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NEHA MEHTA FOUNDER FEMTECH PARTNERS Neha is a recipient of the Nav Shakti Award at 11th National Women Excellence Award 2018, conferred by the Indo European Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (IECSME); for her contribution for empowerment of women. Neha has been focussing to bring gender diversity in the fileds of renewable energy, finance and technoology. She has also been helping women with financial inclusion and better representation at board levels. Neha is responsible for overall stratergy and expanding the footprint into new markets. Neha has been doing development work with the Voluntary Service Organisation(VSO) in Bangladesh. And currently, she's working on the Financial Services & Intellectual Property(FSIP) programme of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK government. She's working on the SDG's of gender diversity and financial inclusion in 6 countries accross South-East Asia, also called the Prosperity Fund (PF6) countries.
NEVER SAY NEVER. EVEN IF YOU SEE THE SMALLEST OPPORTUNITY, JUMP AT IT AND NEVER STOP MOVING FORWARDS." 13
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
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RADHIKA CHOUDARY CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR FREYR ENERGY SERVICES PVT LTD Program with Stanford Graduate School of Business. Over the course of her career, she has worked across various roles ranging from engineering, supply chain management, quality audit, policy and business development in four A dynamic entrepreneur with over 13 years of award-winning work in the field of Solar Energy, Radhika Choudary is the co-founder and Director at Freyr Energy. The resilient leader spearheads the Business Development division utilizing her skills and experience to build a platform for making sustainable energy solutions more accessible and affordable. With an aim to make cleaner, safer and affordable energy available to all, Ms. Radhika co- founded Freyr Energy, a fully integrated solar company providing solar solutions for homeowners, businesses &
continents. She has worked at some of the world’ s leading solar and wind companies such as GE, SKF, Lanco Solar and SunEdison to name a few. She has been instrumental in setting up and heading Lanco Solar’ s South India Division across seven states and also successfully implementing and managing several projects across three countries for SunEdison. Radhika is an alumnus of Purdue University, USA where she completed her MS in Nuclear Energy and has a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University, India.
communities. Currently heading Business Development, Sales & Marketing at Freyr, she has been instrumental in doubling business every year for the last 5 years. Adding another feather to her cap, Ms. Radhika was a panelist at
THE COUNTRY IS BLESSED WITH AMPLE POTENTIAL FOR THE GROWTH OF SOLAR ENERGY, BEING STRATEGICALLY
SolarRoofsTelanagana 2019, UNIDO’ s Shakti
PLACED IN THE PERFECT GEOGRAPHICAL
National Convention of Women Entrepreneurs,
LOCATION, WITH 250-300 TROPICAL
Franchise India/BusinessEx. com’ s Startup Summit2019 and a speaker at UBM’ s RenewX
SUNNY DAYS. A BIG OPPORTUNITY LIES
(2019). In 2017, she was the recipient of the
THERE AND WITH A LITTLE PUSH AND HELP
Femina World Women Leadership Award for
FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN A
Excellence in power and energy sector, the Women Entrepreneur Quest (WEQ) recipient and also completed a 1-year SEED Transformation
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 42 | SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+
SUSTAINABLE MANNER, THIS CAN HELP INDIA ACHIEVE ITS 40GW TARGET."
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RAJYALAKSHMI KOLA CO-FOUNDER SUNWORKS Rajyalakshmi is a seasoned business leader
Management, Project Estimation, Feasibility
with 12 years of experience leading teams in
Studies, and Asset Management.
the renewables and construction industries. She co-founded Sunworks Energy, an end-to-
Rajyalakshmi is also an avid dancer, and an
end high quality Solar services provider, in
advocate of balancing physical fitness and mental
2015. Her focus has always been in ensuring
health.
clients remember the company' s work for its quality and technical prowess.
She holds a Bachelor' s degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Madras and a Master' s
In a span of five years, the company has
degree in Civil Engineering (with a specialization
provided services for 1400+ MW of solar
in Construction Engineering and Management)
capacity. This included solar installations for
from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
residences, hospitals, schools, colleges, food
University.
factories, commercial buildings, pharma and textile plants along with design, EPC and PMC services for utility-scale clients. The team is now taking it' s high-quality design and engineering services abroad as well. Rajyalakshmi is proud to have led this highperforming team in all project management and company culture building efforts. Her expertise lies in Solar Power, Construction
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ALL HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND INDUSTRIES PUT TOGETHER CONSUME ABOUT 500 EXAJOULES ANNUALLY, EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY EARTH RECEIVES FROM THE SUN IN JUST NINETY MINUTES.” ― YUVAL NOAH HARARI, SAPIENS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF HUMANKIND
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
DR. RASHI GUPTA DIRECTOR VISION MECHATRONICS
Dr. Rashi Gupta is not only the founder director of
Dr. Rashi has been instrumental in implementing
M/s Vision Mechatronics Private Ltd, but has led it
Active Balancing technology, used for enhancing
to become a renowned player in the field of
Lithium ion battery life, in India. She is highly
Robotics, Renewable Energy & Energy Storage
TM ', , a hybrid acclaimed for introducing ‘ OneBoxTM’
since a decade. Fondly known as “Batterywali of
plug and play solution, which integrates
India”, Dr. Rashi Gupta is a pioneer of
renewable generation and energy storage
manufacturing of Advanced Lithium Batteries in
providing a seamless and hassle free transition to
India. She has consistently worked across wide-
renewable energy. Her skill set and experience
ranging positions such as Engineering, Supply
brings onboard a unique acumen in industry,
Chain, Quality Audit, Policy and Business
business and regulatory framework.
Development and has played substantial role in Facilities Management and Administration, HR
Dr. Rashi is a dynamic personality holding
and Finance. Dr. Rashi believes in equal
degrees of BE, MBA, LLM, & PhD to her title. She
opportunity for all and ensures it is followed in
is a committee member of Bureau of Indian
her organization. She’ s been fearless & ferocious
Standards for Batteries, Energy Storage and E-
in carving out a name for herself & the company
Mobility. She is also Member for International
in the global market.
ElectroTechnical Commission (IEC). She is also a committee member of National Energy Storage
Under her inspiring leadership, Vision
Committee, FICCI. Dr. Rashi embodies relentless
Mechatronics has worked with clients, partners
and passionate hard work and is truly a huge
and affiliates across numerous industries. Vision
inspiration.
Mechatronics manufactures the "World' s Smartest Lithium Battery" and has containerized Lithium battery solutions upto 90MWh with preventive
RENEWABLE ENERGY
and predictive monitoring solutions.
COUPLED WITH ENERGY
Working diligently, Dr. Rashi follows an excellent
STORAGE CAN LEAD US TO A
work ethic. She is a firm believer in the need for renewable generation and energy storage for a sustainable future of the world.
SUSTAINABLE,INCLUSIVE AND INDEPENDENT SOCIETY WITH ENERGY FOR ALL"
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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SINDOOR MITTAL VICE CHAIRPERSON AVAADA GROUP
Sindoor Mittal is the Vice Chairperson of Avaada
Sindoor focuses on strategy, leadership
Group, India’ s largest clean energy company. An
development, fundraising, and commissioning of
alumnus of Stanford Graduate School & ISB-
the solar energy capacities. In her pursuit, Sindoor
Hyderabad, Sindoor is a social entrepreneur,
has built a high performing team and partnerships
pioneer & evangelist of sustainable development.
with global technology companies and system
Sindoor has been a vanguard of the clean energy
integrators from the energy sector. She believes
transition in India.
that the combination of a cohesive team with a strong focus on execution is the key to creating a
Sindoor has led Avaada to become a key player
successful energy company.
in India’ s renewable energy sector. She spearheaded Equity fundraising by bringing
Today she relentlessly pursues her belief that India
marquee investors like ADB, DEG, FMO &
can accelerate its growth through encouraging
Proparco to India through Avaada. She
greater economic participation by women. Sindoor
successfully handled the transaction of the
is keenly involved in the company’ s Corporate
organization’ s ~1140 MW renewable portfolio
Social Responsibility endeavor, which focuses on
sale to Tata Power. For her achievements in the
providing girl education, clean environment and
area of entrepreneurship, Sindoor has been
health to the communities in which they work.
conferred with “AsiaOne Young Asian Entrepreneurs 2019-20” & “Women Leader of the Year- 2018” award. Sindoor is looked upon as an industry leader and is a Keynote speaker in leading forums. She has been a Speaker at events like RE-INVEST, Economic Times’ Global Business Summit, IFC’ s Climate Business Forum. At the ‘ Madhya Pradesh Investor Summit’ she shared the dias with the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She is an active participant at the World Economic Forum, Davos.
17
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT BUSINESS AND SUSTAINABILITY GOALS CAN COEXIST. CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND IF WE DON'T ACT NOW OUR CHILDREN WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTION OR INACTION". ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
TANYA SINGHAL FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR SOLARARISE actual negotiations and closing legal contracts. Ms. Tanya Singhal was raised in a family of
The next challenge was to put this business plan
engineers, so it was natural for her to pursue
into action. From choosing which PPAs to sign,
engineering. But, after she graduated from IIT,
where to build, buying land, designing the plant,
Tanya joined a very non-engineering career,
negotiating contracts, raising debt to finally
consulting, at the Boston Consulting Group. This
construction management and operations. She
was the first of many decisions her family found
still remembers, being at the site of her first plant
odd, but supported her nonetheless. A few years
on commissioning day, as the first bit of power
into her career at BCG, she attended a
was generated and the meter' s needle moved.
presentation which showed a small box on the
Back in 2010, solar was a new sector with many
map of India, and just filling that small box with
risks. The sector has taken time to mature but is
solar panels was sufficient to power all of India.
now ready to compete with conventional power
The sector was waiting and all it needed was
head on. Just like raising a child, this has been a
professionals to jump in and realise its potential.
journey of persistence and patienceâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; there were
Finally, in 2010 after 4 years in consulting, Tanya
times when things went completely off plan but
took the plunge. She left her stable, flourishing
she never gave up and kept going.
consulting career and started her entrepreneurial journey to make solar an affordable reality in India. Again, her family offered their reluctant support. There were many questions that were
SOLAR IS RAPIDLY
difficult to be answered at that time:
REDEFINING THE FACE OF THE
-What work will she do and the role will she play ?
POWER INDUSTRY. AFTER
-Do women have meaningful roles in Infrastructure?
WORKING FOR OVER DECADE IN
Over the last decade, she has proudly answered
SOLAR, I FEEL MUCH CLOSER TO
these questions to the satisfaction of everyone,
MY DREAM, WHEN EVERY LIGHT
especially herself. The early years were occupied
IN YOUR HOME WILL BE
with the humongous task of raising $100 Mn of equity from global investors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from making pitch decks, business plans, presentations and finally to
POWERED BY THE CLEAN ENERGY FROM MY SOLAR PLANTS."
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
18
VAISHALI NIGAM SINHA CHIEF CSR, COMMUNICATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER RENEW POWER As someone who is deeply concerned about the
Chairperson, South Asian Women in Energy -a
threat of climate change and its ill effects on the
body under the United States India Strategic
society as a whole, Vaishali has focused her
Partnership Forum
attention on promoting sustainability both in and
Co – Chair of CII Indian Women Network and
beyond business and instituting programmes to
Woman Empowerment Committee
safeguard women and children who are most
Member, Advisory Board, Columbia Global
vulnerable to climate risks. Vaishali was a key
Centre, Mumbai – facilitating a climate change
member of the start-up team that established
focus to their projects in South Asia
ReNew Power in 2011 with a vision to provide
Member, Advisory Council at: i) CII-ITC CoE for
efficient clean energy solutions to create a better
Sustainable Development and ii) CoE for
planet. Today, ReNew Power is India’ s largest
Research on Clean Air (CERCA) at IIT Delhi
renewable energy independent power producer, generating over 5 GW of power from solar and wind and mitigating 13 million tonnes of carbon annually through its operations. In her current role, Vaishali is primarily responsible for ensuring that ReNew Power runs its business in a socially responsible manner, displaying sensitivity and care for the environment and communities impacted by climate change. She works by reaching out to likeminded stakeholders and collaborating with them to develop a blueprint for action that has a significant impact on protecting our environment and the quality of life of rural communities. Leadership Roles: Member, Governing Council, UN Global Compact Network, India and Chairperson, UNGCNI Gender Committee;
19
THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE THE MOST AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE. RENEWABLE RESOURCES PROVIDE A POTENT SAFETY NET FOR THEM AND IS A TOOL TO TRANSFORM AND ALLEVIATE THEIR LIVES THROUGH CLEAN ENERGY. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE ARE THE NEED OF THE HOUR AND WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS ON BOARD AND TACKLE THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE”
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
THE ACHIEVERS WOMEN IN KEY DRIVING POSITIONS PUSHING THE LIMITS EVERYDAY AND SETTING NEW BENCHMARKS OF PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
All pages are arranged in the alphabetical order of the first name
AARTHI BALAN ASST. VICE-PRESIDENT SWELECT ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD Under Process automation in Numeric (now SWELECT), she led a team of engineers to achieve Asset management and Remote monitoring. Asset Management was achieved by bar-coding the After completing her MS in Electrical Engineering
current and noncurrent assets as well as the entire
from US and working with AT&T, New Jersey - US,
work-in progress in 9 manufacturing plants.
Aarthi Balan joined SWELECT (formerly Numeric
She was instrumental in launching the Channel
Power Systems Ltd. ) to head the Process
Partner program by heading a team of Sales
Automation team. She now heads Marketing &
engineers to cater to the demands of SWELECT’ s
Communications and Channel sales at SWELECT
100+ Channel Partners nationally. She has also
and was instrumental in the launch of SOURCE
been involved in the launch of SOURCE
Hydro Panels in India. She is a member of the
Hydropanels in India – an innovative product of
Board of Directors at Amex Alloys Pvt. Ltd. , a
ZMW which delivers clean drinking water from air
subsidiary of SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd.
and sunlight.
Environmentalist by nature, her mantra in life is to promote and live a sustainable lifestyle in all ways
She has done her MS (ECE) – University of North
possible. That being a global goal, her position as
Carolina, Charlotte, USA and BE (ECE) – Madras
AVP in the renewable energy sector is only a
University, Chennai.
meagre percentage. In order to materialise the ultimate goal, she strives to innovate the explored and unexplored avenues for a better tomorrow. Some of her notable achievements include research on power scavenging and power harvesting for wireless sensor nodes. The project was sponsored by Boeing during her Master' s program and also co-authored an IEEE paper on “Case Study of Mobility Support for IPv4/IPv6 Transition Mechanisms over IPv6 Backbone Networks”.
21
Renewable energy should no longer be one of the options but rather the only choice towards a sustainable future”. ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
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AMANDA XU MARKETI NG MANAGER SUMEC ENERGY HOLDI NGS CO. , LTD
Amanda has an experience of over 10 year in the solar industry, familiar with the solar industry development history and tendency. She has an experience of 9-year in marketing. She has a rich experience in overseas branding and marketing with a history of excellence in marketing planning. Moreover she has established a brand new image of Phono Solar overseas, increase Phono Solar brand awareness greatly. She has also won 6 media awards for the company in 2019.
SOLAR MAKES ME GRATEFUL FOR EVERY RAY OF SUNSHINE." ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
22
ANITA KARNIK VICE PRESIDENT – PROJECT ADVISORY & STRUCTURED FINANCE SBI CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED
Anita graduated from IIM Calcutta in 2006 and started my career working with ICICI Bank in the field of Securitization and Structured Finance. At SBI she has worked on various projects like project finance for coal & gas based projects as well as transmission line projects in the conventional space, financing for Ground mounted Solar, distributed rooftop solar, wind, hydropower in the renewable space and advisory for equity stake sale in India’ s largest power exchange. Her accomplishments involve setting up a line of credit from a foreign development bank for supporting energy efficient housing in India. Currently, she handles Renewable Energy projects as well as Multilateral lines of credit for Climate Adaptation related projects.
23
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR IN INDIA AND WITNESS ITS REMARKABLE GROWTH OVER THE PAST DECADE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON NEW PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE GREEN & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SECTOR." ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
BARKHA BANSAL HEAD, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PV-DIAGNOSTICS Barkha is a young engineer from IIT Bombay who
Keeping this in mind, we started PV Diagnostics
started working with her classmates from college
to help developers realize maximum gains from
to solve the problem of energy efficiency in solar.
their existing assets. ” says Barkha Bansal. Barkha
She is the co-founder of PV Diagnostics (PV-D)
believes that the only way to increase
and looks after business development and
accountability in the solar industry is through
strategy for the company. PV Diagnostics is a
data. It is important to collect data to validate the
start-up focusing on diagnostics and quality
quality of plants at different levels - through
control for solar power plants. PV-D works with
detailed factory audits for modules and a quality
large-scale companies in the solar sector towards
check of modules after transportation,
the implementation of quality control measures
installation, and periodic checks during the
throughout the value chain, plant' s diagnostics
operation of the plant. If high quality standards
and performance improvement. PV Diagnostics
are not maintained during the installation and
also works with multiple investors, asset
operation of plants, they will not generate the
managers and refinancers on technical due
required output, which will not only be a loss for
diligence of the assets, covering electrical, civil
the investors, but also a national loss. PV
and contractual assessment of the solar plants.
Diagnostics was started by Prakash Suratkar,
With the core objective of simplifying decision
Ayush Mahajan, Atul Jain, and Pranav
making, the company’ s data-centric approach
Maheshwari in Jan 2017! Barkha, who was a
prepares a highly quantitative assessment of
classmate of Ayush and Pranav, contributed to
plant health, expected generation and maximum
initial company formation and strategy
generation potential along with a step-by-step
discussions and later joined by leaving her job at
performance improvement strategy. “While solar
an international venture capital firm.
installations in India are growing at an unprecedented rate the problems of quality control and poorly realized efficiencies are also on a rise. At the same time, with declining margins, every bit of additional generation will make a huge impact on the P&Ls of the developers and IPPs.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
IF HIGH-QUALITY STANDARDS ARE NOT MAINTAINED DURING THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SOLAR PLANTS, THEY WILL NOT GENERATE THE REQUIRED OUTPUT, WHICH WILL NOT ONLY BE A LOSS FOR THE INVESTORS, BUT ALSO A NATIONAL LOSS"
24
BHAWNA KIRPAL MITAL HEAD – HR HERO FUTURE ENERGIES PVT LTD (HFE) There she contributed to HR and Corporate Communications. She played a vital role in Bhawna Kirpal Mital possess 17+ years of
ensuring that HR framework in India is aligned to
experience in Human Resource in a Generalist
International HR processes. Before Tractebel
profile. She leads the Human Resource Function at Hero Future Energies (a Hero Group Company). She joined the company at a very early stage and has been part of the growth, Company has now offices in India, London, Singapore, Ukraine and Vietnam. She has managed the Organization transformation from the start-up to an established and one of the leading IPP in renewables today. She blends the modern-day HR practices with traditional Indian value system. She is a passionate HR professional driven by results and achievements.Apart from HR’s listed job she has zeal to take on additional responsibilities. Being multi-tasked, she has been actively managing Administration and IT functions along with CSR activities of the company. She is keen to share good practices and to work as part of a network. She has a deep knowledge of the business she works for and creates open environment for her team members and facilitates same throughout the Organization. Her endeavour and passion is to make HFE a great place to work.Bhawna has worked in Tractebel Engineering (GDF SUEZ group …now ENGIE) for 6.5 years.
25
Engineering, she worked with Degremont Ltd. (now SUEZ Environment). She learnt and managed amalgamation of two cultures – Indian and French and showcased how HR acts as a facilitator. She started her career with Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has done B. Sc. from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra & MBA from Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan. She recently attended HR Strategy course at London Business School.
INCREASED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, GLOBAL WARMING, SMOG POLLUTION, OZONE DEPLETION, INFERIOR PLANT GROWTH, DECREASE IN GREEN BELT ACROSS THE GLOBE NECESSITATED THE WORLD TO THINK OF CLEAN ENERGY. NOW IS THE TIME TO FOCUS ON INCREASING CLEAN-TECH SKILL-SETS IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS/UNIVERSITIES/INSTITUTES BY DESIGNING COURSES FOCUSING ON RENEWABLES AND MOTIVATE STUDENTS/YOUTH TO OPT FOR SUCH COURSES. ALIGNMENT OF FUTURE GENERATION IN CARRYING ON THIS GREEN MISSION WILL BE THE KEY” ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarterENERGY | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE
| 10
CAMEAL YU MARKETI NG MANAGER FOR APAC GOODWE POWER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGY CO. , LTD.
Cameal has an experience of over 6 years in PV industry and promoting solar energy globally. Under her leadership, GoodWe was ranked in Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 10 Solar Inverter Manufacturer by Bloomberg, IHS & Wood Mackenzie. Cameal has worked in GoodWe for more than 6 years, concentrating on new product promotion, media campaigns and brand management.
THE WORLD AWAITS OUR DISCOVERY" ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
26
CYNTHIA LI MARKETING DIRECTOR, PV &AMP; ENERGY STORAGE DIVISION, SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO., LTD.
Cynthia was major in Economics and Trade. She has over 10 years experience in the power sector in marketing and leadership roles and has been associated with Sungrow for more than 4 years. She is participating in the Company’s extension of international markets and has extensive experience in brand operations, marketing, and public relations.
INNOVATION IS OUR STRENGTH, WE BELIEVE IN ADDING VALUE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. SUNGROW HAS BIG R&D TEAM WHICH KEEPS ON PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE SOLAR INDUSTRY. WE ALWAYS BELIEVE IN GETTING THE SOLUTION FOR THE MARKET BASED ON THE CUSTOMERS’ FEEDBACK AND IN LINE TO MARKET REQUIREMENTS."
27
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
DEEPIKA SANDEEP PRACTICE HEAD- AI AND ML, BHARAT LIGHT AND POWER
Deepika Sandeep is a seasoned leader in the field
She is a recipient of "40 under 40 Data Scientists"
of artificial intelligence, machine learning and
and "Women in AI leadership" awards, by Analytics
natural language processing. Currently, she heads
India Magazine. She is a recognized leader in the
AI/ML program at BLP Clean Energy, a start-up
renewable energy sector and ranked among 40
operating in renewable energy generation,
under 40 most promising leaders in Indian solar
management and Industry 4. 0 space. In her
industry. She mentors new entrants into the field
current role, she devises technology strategy for
of analytics, through various initiatives of Govt. of
the organization and leads the analytics practice
India. She holds a Master' s degree from IIT Madras
for predictive, prescriptive and preventive
and several publications in her field of expertise.
maintenance of assets in solar farms, wind farms and heavy industries. She is the product owner of strategic initiatives such as digital twins, datadriven energy management solution et al. She began her analytics journey as a research associate at IISc, and has worked on applications of machine learning across domains such as automotive manufacturing, pharmacovigilance, real estate, social media and neuroscience, in her
MADE ENOUGH HAY WHILE THE SUN SHONE; TIME TO MAKE ELECTRICITY WHILE THE SUN SHINES"
previous roles.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
28
EARTHA WONG INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DIRECTOR GSOLAR POWER CO., LTD Eartha assisted over 60 Indian solar module manufacturers to reduce production cost on a huge scale and improve Indian solar module manufacturers’ competitiveness in world, focus on helping India to realize electricity affordable to every family. She turned GSOLAR international business from Zero to over 50% International Market share in 5 years, established nearly 70% market share in India.
COURAGE AND GREAT EXECUTION CAN BEAT ANYTHING." 29
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
ECHO YAO SALES DIRECTOR FOR SOUTH ASIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA HOYMILES CONVERTER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
E c h o Y a o h a s b e e n a n i n t e g r a l p a rt o f Hoymiles. She has made a significant c o n t r i b u t i o n i n b o o s t i n g t h e s o l a r m a rk e t w i t h h e r e x p e r i e n c e o f o v e r 5 y e a rs i n s o l a r f i e l d a c r o s s t h e w o r l d . N o t to mention the 2000 residential roofs p r o j e c t i n S o u t h A s i a a n d 1 5 0 0 ro o f s i n E u r o p e s h e w o r k e d w i t h l a s t y e a r, s h e i s a l s o t h e f i r s t o n e t o i n t r o d u c e H o y m i le s m i c r o i n v e r t e r i n t o t h e I n d i a n m a rk e t, w o r k i n g w i t h l o c a l s o l a r p l a y e r s to d ri v e the transformation of Indian solar industry with more affordable and highquality solar microinverter. Echo Yao is
WE COME NEAREST TO THE GREAT WHEN WE ARE GREAT IN HUMILITY" - Rabindranath Tagore
very passionate and is a woman who i n s p i r e s o t h e r y o u n g w o m e n t o e n te r a n d m a k e t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o s o l a r e n e rg y too.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
30
GAIL CHEN GENERAL MANAGER OF EAST ASIA & INDIA ARCTECH SOLAR Gail is currently managing two subsidiary companies, Japan and India, a team of 12 members. She has restructured the team and sales strategy for East Asia market to develop healthy project pipeline for sustainable business. She is also known to have successfully developed Taiwan market within one year. She is has also delivered structure shipments beyond expectation, including the second largest ground-mounted project in Taiwan in 2019. She was awarded with, 2015 Asia-Pacific Best Salesperson of the Year Award and 2016 Asia-Pacific Best Performing Salesperson. Moreover, she has successfully signed and delivered 50MW in 2014, 70MW in 2015 and 150MW projects.
DREAM IT! BELIEVE IT! BUILD IT!"
31
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
CAPT. GEETA JADHAV CLUSTER HEAD BUSINESS HR RENEWABLES, TATA POWER Currently Captain Geeta is Cluster Head Business HR, Renewables for Tata Power and Capt Geeta Jadhav is a seasoned HR professional with 22 years of multi domain cross industry expertise in senior leadership roles. She has worked in large professionally managed and reputed Indian organizations across diverse sectors like Indian Army, Academics & Engineering. Since last 12 years she has held different HR roles at senior level in Power Sector. In her career, she has worked with entrepreneurs and business leaders in driving businesses with a strong sense of collaboration, strategic vision, and organizational alignment. She started her career in Indian Army as a commissioned officer. As an officer, she was part of technical cell in Intelligence Corps of Indian Army. She got the opportunity to serve the nation in critical operations like Kargil (Op Vij ay) in year 1999 and Parliament Attack (Op Parakram) in year 2001. After her successful stint in Indian Army, she has worked in diverse profiles including as a professor in SIBM with functional specialization in HRM. Later she was part of HR team in senior level role with Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. in engineering industry. Subsequently she joined Tata Power in HR function where she has held multiple senior roles in last 12 years.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
CHRO for Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd. She has managed and led diverse portfolios in the areas of Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Organizational Design, Strategic M&As, Strategic HR and IR for Domestic and International Operations. As Cluster Head, she has been successful in transforming the function and enhance impact of HR across Renewables Cluster. With strong analytical ability, eye for detail and a focus on strategic interventions, she has led several critical projects to deliver business strategy, change management programs and transformation programs. She is passionate about operating in an environment of diverse and complex responsibilities and has excelled in managing these situations effectively. With her result oriented outlook, domain expertise and meticulous working style groomed in Indian Army, she has attained prominent position in the corporate world. She has learnt new skills at different cusps of her career, mastered those and practiced with passion.
GREEN ENERGY IS THE WAY FORWARD." 32
HELENA LI VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL MODULE SALES AND PRODUCT STRATEGY; PRESIDENT, ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, TRINA SOLAR Helena Li is a highly experienced executive
From 1998 to 2004, Helena worked for
who has spent most of her career helping to
Microsoft. She was based in Beijing for the first
grow and develop technology companies,
two years and focused on the China market
especially in Asia Pacific emerging markets.
development as Head of Marketing. In her final four years at Microsoft, Helena moved to
Helena has been in the solar industry since
Singapore and took on an expanded regional
April 2011. She worked for another
role where she oversaw program operations in
international solar company prior to joining
14 countries in Asia Pacific.
Trina Solar in September 2013 as Managing
Helena has an executive MBA from the China
Director and Vice President for Asia Pacific and
Europe International Business School in
the Middle East.
Shanghai.
She manages a large and growing team of Trina Solar personnel involved in: sales and business development, marketing, customer support, etc. Helena has also been tasked with helping Trina Solar to position itself as a ‘ total solutions’ provider for solar energy. From 2004-2006, she was with US semiconductor company Intel as group manager for market development covering the China market. She helped Intel to penetrate new market segments and oversaw a diverse group of business and market development managers. She was also involved in product marketing, namely spear-heading the company’ s successful ‘ Intel Inside’ joint marketing campaigns with computer companies and other equipment makers.
33
I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY, WHICH GIVES ME GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE LOW CARBON ECONOMY. IT’S EXCITING TO REALIZE THAT I COULD MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOCIETY, AND FUTURE OF THE PLANET AND OUR CHILDREN. AS A MOTHER OF TWO, I AM ALSO SHARING THE GREEN ENERGY BENEFITS TO MY KIDS, WHO ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND ALSO PROUD OF THE CONTRIBUTION MY WORK COULD BRING TO THE ENVIRONMENT." ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
JIGNASA VISARIA HEAD OF RENEWABLE CAPITAL FOURTH PARTNER ENERGY
Jignasa Jani Visaria is Fourth Partner Energy’ s in-
first commercial solar fund deployment in Asia. A
house financial wizard. In Mumbai’ s investors and
through taskmaster, Jignasa’ s strength lies in her
banking circuit – she is recognized as a force to
sheer perseverance and attention to detail – traits
be reckoned with, in the Renewable Energy
she expects from each member of her team as
financing realm. She heads our Corporate
well.
Development (newly christened ‘ Renewable Capital’ ) Department and is one of the youngest
THE SOLAR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN A
members of Fourth Partner Energy’ s Executive
SUNRISE SECTOR – SUSTAINABILITY IS A NEW
Leadership committee. Jignasa has over 15 years
‘HOT’ TOPIC AND WE HAVE WITNESSED A LOT
of experience in the Finance sector, having
OF ACQUISITIONS AND EQUITY INVESTMENT
worked with eminent lenders like Development Credit Bank, HDFC Bank and Yes Bank. Her exposure to the Solar industry began in
IN THIS SPACE. SINCE SOLAR FALLS UNDER THE ESG (ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND
September 2017, when she joined Fourth Partner
GOVERNANCE) SPECTRUM, ATTRACTING
Energy’ s CD team in Mumbai. At Fourth Partner
INITIAL INVESTMENT HAS NOT BEEN TOO
Energy, Jignasa is responsible for evaluation and
DIFFICULT. HOWEVER, GOING FORWARD I FEEL
pricing formulation for RESCO proposals, vetting
EQUITY IS GOING TO BE TOUGH SINCE MOST
of documents, ensuring risk-mitigation amongst clientele, fund-raising, fund management and Forex & Credit ratings. Jignasa has spearheaded
OF THE KNOWN PLAYERS IN THE MARKET ARE ALREADY TAKEN – VALUATION EXPECTATIONS
4PEL’ s fund-raising and debt-raising endeavors in
WILL BE HIGHER, OVERALL ECONOMIC
the past 26 months –she has been instrumental in
SLOWDOWN WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT
bringing on board TPG Capital’ s THE RISE FUND
AND WE NEED TO FACTOR IN LACK OF
as primary investor in the firm; just last quarter she also helped close a line of credit to 4PEL from Bank of America, which was incidentally BOfA’ s
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGULATORY HURDLES. INDIA’S RE STORY HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN!."
34
KANIKA CHAWLA DIRECTOR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CENTRE FOR ENERGY FINANCE COUNCIL ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND WATER Kanika writes extensively in leading newspapers in India and overseas on matters relating to the energy transition. She is the founding director of the CEEW Centre for Energy Finance, a non-partisan market observer and driver that monitors, develops, tests, and deploys financial solutions to advance the energy transition. It aims to help deepen markets, increase transparency, and attract capital in the clean energy sectors of emerging economies. She leads the CEEW renewable energy programme, as well as the Centre for Energy Finance. Serves on the Leadership Group of the institution, and is the Chair of the Internal Complaints Committee. She also initiated the CEEW Women in Sustainability initiative that supports the careers of women in public policy.
PERSEVERANCE PAYS." 35
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
LISA ZHANG MARKETING DIRECTOR GROWATT
Lisa Zhang, Growatt marketing director was graduated from one of China’ s leading colleges, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and majored in Information Science and Technology. Zhang joined the PV industry after graduation and was one of the pioneering engineers in solar R&D of China. Zhang joined Growatt in 2011 and started her career in marketing of the industry. Under the lead of Zhang, Growatt has been established as one of the world’ s leading inverter brands and its PV solutions are popular in over 100 countries.
WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY." ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
36
LUCY LU MARKETING DIRECTOR NINGBO GINLONG TECHNOLOGIES CO.,LTD
Lucy is the soul of Ginlong (Solis). A few years ago, she rushed into PV solar industry with boundless enthusiasm, and began to work in silence. She knew that she must break the stereotype of thinking and actively change her thinking, so as to ensure that she would not be eliminated by this world. During the first six months she took over marketing, she made a comprehensive transformation and upgrading of the company' s market prospect planning, which can be said that the company' s listing has her contributions that cannot be ignored. She has made outstanding achievements and contributions in the industry and society, and made painstaking efforts to promote the development of new energy.
37
A MAN IS NOT OLD AS LONG AS HE IS SEEKING SOMETHING. A MAN IS NOT OLD UNTIL REGRETS TAKE THE PLACE OF DREAMS. THE ONLY WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE COMPETITION IS THROUGH SERVICE. ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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MONIKA BIERI SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST CLEANTECH SOLAR
the Department of Architecture at School of Design and Environment, to share her perspectives on “Life-cycle cost analysis of rooftop and building integrated PV systems”. In her current role in the organization as a Senior Financial Analyst, she is responsible for the financial models and return calculations for Cleantech Solar’ s Southeast Asia solar Monika has over 15 years of experience as a
projects. She leads the investment committee
financial analyst with UBS AG, Zurich, where she
process to ensure proper governance,
was responsible for covering the European
documentation and transparency of
power sector within the fixed income team at
investment decisions
UBS Global Asset Management from 2004-2013. This facilitated extensive experience in providing investment recommendations to portfolio managers for water, gas and electricity companies. She has also published various papers on topics such as life-cycle cost analysis for solar applications in the tropics, solar viability analysis in Southeast Asian countries and initiated the “Solar Economic Handbook” for Singapore. Besides speaking at multiple conferences on these topics, she was also invited by the National University of Singapore
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR CAREER INTO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL AND FULFILLING."
as a guest lecturer to ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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MONIKA RATHI HEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MAHINDRA SUSTEN
Monika holds 3 US patent applications, 10+ international publications and has one trade secret to her credit. She is also a certified TRIZ level 1 expert, Certified Black Belt, Certified Trainer for Step up (Leadership program at Susten) and LRQA Auditor. . She is the only person in NITK history to have won all the three Gold Medal awards for Best all Rounder, Branch Topper and College Topper. She was also conferred with Young Achiever Award by my alma mater NITK in 2015, and Women of year Award”, conferred by SolarQuarter in 2019. Monika is known within the professional community at Mahindra Susten. In her current role as Business Development Head, she is responsible for complete order booking for EPC from Indian Solar Market as well as South East Asia markets, Cost control of EPC pricing to win bids, end to end customer management to ensure smooth contract closure and project execution.
39
ALWAYS REMEMBER, YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU THE STRENGTH, THE PATIENCE, AND THE PASSION TO REACH FOR THE STARS TO CHANGE THE WORLD.TAKE RISKS, CALCULATED ONES WHICH WILL BE BOTH REWARDING AND ULTIMATELY, EMPOWERING, AND DO NOT FORGET TO APPLAUD YOURSELF AND GIVE YOURSELF THE CREDIT FOR MANAGING WORK AND FAMILY EQUALLY WELL."
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+ IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
| 45
NAMITA VIKAS SENIOR GROUP PRESIDENT & GLOBAL HEAD, CLIMATE STRATEGY & RESPONSIBLE BANKING, YES BANK LTD. Namita Vikas is a senior business leader with 29
subsequent issuances by YES BANK, that
years of diverse global experience in climate
eventually opened up India’ s green bond market
strategy and sustainability across Banking,
currently valued at over USD 10 billion. She
Technology & FMCG, with particular focus on
played an instrumental role in ideating and
Sustainable Finance, Renewable Energy, Climate
launching India’ s first green retail product- Green
Action, Design Thinking & Innovation, ESG Risk
Future Deposit, earmarked for financing green
Management, Public Policy & Corporate
and sustainable sectors. Her inclusive and
Citizenship.
innovative approach towards addressing market barriers, has led to innovative Blended Finance
She is a strong proponent of balancing growth
and Credit Enhancements modelling aimed at
with sustainability, and views renewable energy
scaling adoption of solar applications. She has
and other emerging green sectors, as
played a critical role in establishing YES BANK’ s
unprecedented opportunities for sustainable
leadership in green finance and enhancing the
growth. She has been elected as the Chairperson
bank’ s participation with international bodies like
of the UN Natural Capital Finance Alliance and is
International Solar Alliance, facilitating finances
a part of the Global Steering Committee of the UN
towards renewable energy.
Environment Programme – Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). She also serves on the Advisory
She was ranked one of the “Leading Women in
Council of the Green Bond Principles and Social
Business Sustainability” by the World Business
Bond Principles Executive Committee.
Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and was globally recognized as the
As a leader in climate action, she has contributed
“Sustainability Leader of the Year” by Ethical
significantly in facilitating mobilization of
Corporation, UK in 2017. In 2018, she was named
investments towards green sectors, through
one of “Asia’ s Top Sustainability Superwomen” by
development of multiple ‘ industry first’ innovative
CSRWorks International. In 2019, she was
green products and services. She played a
featured in the list of “India’ s Top 100 Women in
pivotal role in the issuance of India’ s maiden
Finance” by the Association of International
green bonds, followed up by two more
Wealth Management of India.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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NAMRATA MUKHERJEE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF POLICY ADVOCACY STERLITE POWER TRANSMISSION Namrata Mukherjee is Senior Vice President and
IEDCL a subsidiary of IL&FS group is a leading
Head of Policy Advocacy at Sterlite Power
IPP player with 1200 MW operational coal based
Transmission and has been associated with the
power projects, 726 MW gas based power
Group for 3 years now. Sterlite Power is a leading
projects, 750MW of wind power operational and
global developer of power transmission
250MW under construction apart from over
infrastructure with projects of over ~12, 500
100MW of biomass and cogeneration based
circuit kms and 22, 719 MVA in India and Brazil.
projects, 40MW of solar PV project, and a waste
She is responsible for leading the Company’ s
to energy project in Delhi. She was responsible
Policy advocacy efforts which entail analyzing
for leading the Company’ s Policy & Regulatory
the operating environment of the company’ s
advocacy efforts which entailed regular
business, interaction with key stakeholders like
interactions with Policy makers and Regulatory
Ministry of Power (MOP), Ministry of New &
authorities and working closely with industry
Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ministry of
associations to take forward key issues impacting
Environment, Forests and Climate Change
the sector. Prior to this, she has worked with
(MOEFCC), Central Electricity Authority (CEA),
Mercados EMI in New Delhi specializing in the
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
renewable energy sector and the Regulatory
(CERC) and other key authorities at the center
Studies and Governance Division in The Energy
and states. She works closely with industry
and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi.
associations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce (ASSOCHAM) and Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) to take forward some critical issues facing the sector. She has worked extensively in areas of promoting competition, PPP frameworks in the infrastructure sector, facilitating ease of doing business, among others. She was heading the policy and regulatory practice at IL&FS Energy Development Company Limited (IEDCL).
41
OUR ABILITY TO MEET GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENTS AND PROVIDING AFFORDABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY TO HUMANITY LIES IN THE CREATION OF SEAMLESS POWER TRANSMISSION HIGHWAYS WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CONVERTING OUR HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER’S VISION OF ONE WORLD, ONE SUN, ONE GRID, INTO REALITY!"
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
NEHA AGRAWAL HEAD OF CORPORATE STRATEGY VIKRAM SOLAR LIMITED Heading the Corporate Strategy team - concluding
Associated with Internal Audits, structuring of
strategic alliances, MOUs, capex plans, annual
Internal Audit teams and plans for various
business plans, monitoring and management
companies, Risk Management and designing
action planning. Working with leadership on
SOPs, Enterprise Risk Management for 4 years in
performance management of corporate and
Ernst & Young as an External Consultant.Wide
functions. Business development, new business
array of companies worked for including
verticals, business modelling and financial
Consumer Goods, Industrial, Retail, Power and
modelling. Business Process Restructuring. Vikram
Real Estate on a large scale.
Solar Private Limited, a company engaged in Solar, the most "talked about" renewable source of energy.Responsible for Change Management, driving performance management, periodic monitoring, business development, territory expansion and capital expansion, BPR, New Process Implementation, Risk-based Internal Audit, Financial Modelling & Analysis, Risk Management & designing Risk Mitigation Plans, Financial Reporting and MIS.Highly focused and dedicated towards the drive mechanism for Change towards a more professional culture.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
IT IS TIME TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS TO COMBAT CO2 EMISSION AND GLOBAL WARMING, MAKING WAY FOR SUSTAINABLE GREEN ENVIRONMENT."
42
NIDHI SARIN PROGRAMME HEAD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; IGEN ACCESS GIZ Ms Nidhi Sarin has over 15 years of experience of working in the area of energy, climate change and environment. She has handled multi-million projects on areas including distributed and grid connected renewable energy, power sector reforms, climate change adaptation and mitigation. She has extensively worked with government on policy development, formulating regulations and standard. She has mentored renewable energy start-ups and provided incubation support to the private sector and worked closely with financial institutions to leverage financing for reliable and affordable energy access. She has also carried out independent evaluations and action research for evidence creation in the offgrid energy sector Ms Sarin heads the access to energy in rural areas programme for GIZ India. She has worked with bilateral, multilateral organizations, corporate sector and non-government
IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE YOUR WORK BRINGING SMILE ON SOMEONE'S FACE.
organizations.
43
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
NIHARIKA KOLTE GLOBAL DIRECTOR ABJ DRONES
In parallel, Niharika also founded her own company - Drone Tech Solutions, to make it the preferred one-stop-shop for drone-based inspections, data processing, and analysis across industries including Renewable Energy & Infrastructure space. Her broader vision is to Niharika comes with an extensive experience in the renewable energy space. She started her career in the renewable transaction space as part of the corporate finance team at PwC & KPMG. She has worked with IPPs, Pension Funds, SWFs as a key member of the deals team. She has worked on several deals aggregating to a billiondollar capital raise in the Renewable Energy space. After her role as an Ibanker, she decided to use her industry knowledge and add direct operational value in the RE O&M space by bringing newer technologies to the market. She is working with ABJ Drones as the Global Director where her role largely encompasses Business Development. She is currently heading the Asia
boost efficiencies across these sectors by leveraging AI & ML to automate operations & predictive maintenance in these industries. Additionally, she also serves as the Strategic Advisor to Animal Angels Foundation which is the only certified organization to practice Animal Assisted Therapy for human wellness in India.
ENABLE A RENEWED FUTURE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY".
Pacific region.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
44
NIKITA AGRAWAL SALKAR ASST MANAGER - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FIRSTVIEW MEDIA VENTURES PVT LTD Nikita is a dynamic leader, She has enormous experience in the field of renewable energy events. She currently leads the product development vertical in FirstView Group for renewable energy. With her market research capabilities and expertise in the renewable energy industry, she is responsible for Creating Product strategy for events and Special Publications for the clean energy sector. She has very strong connect with the leaders of Renewable Energy Industry. She has done her MBA in marketing from Mumbai university
I THINK THAT INDIA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE TRANSITION THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE TO RENEWABLE ENERGY. WE ARE AT 4TH POSITION IN THE WORLD AND WILL MOVE SWIFTLY". 45
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
NIKKI LIM HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS CLEANTECH SOLAR
Nikki Lim is a key member of the team which raised and closed the deal with Shell Eastern Petroleum, which currently has a 49% stake in Cleantech Solar. She has successfully closed the debt deal from “responsAbility”, a fund backed by Swiss financial institutions to build projects in South East Asia, and has also secured a USD 50 Mn equity investment from Climate Fund Managers (The Hague–based FMO and Dutch Government backed USD 850 Mn Fund). She is currently managing the key stakeholders of Cleantech Solar: Shell Eastern Petroleum and Climate Fund Managers, as well as dialogue with potential new financing partners including development banks, financial institutions and pension funds.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
IN THE LAST DECADE, ADOPTION OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HAS HUGELY ACCELERATED. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS AND TO BE WORKING WITH CORPORATES IN THE REGION WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO USE THE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD."
46
NITHYA BALAKRISHNAN HEAD – MARKETING & COMMUNICATION FOURTH PARTNER ENERGY Nithya Balakrishnan leads the Marketing & Communication team at Fourth Partner Energy. Loud, full of energy and always packing too many words into a sentence – she thrives on multitasking and working towards overcoming challenges. She is passionate about sustainability & renewable energy and pivoted careers after a decade in business journalism, to delve deep into the world of solar with the brightest minds in the industry at 4PEL. At Fourth Partner Energy, Nithya is responsible for driving brand strategy & positioning, media management, PR and government relations for the firm. She carries out all external communication with various stakeholders, industry associations, think tanks and sectoral publications. She drives internal and external marketing campaigns, primarily ideating and creating content – while mentoring and guiding her team towards executing the same. Nithya has been instrumental in enhancing Fourth
INDIA HAS A POPULATION OF OVER 1.4 BILLION AND IS AMONGST THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES. THE WAY WE SHAPE OUR ENERGY MARKETS WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ACHIEVING GLOBAL CLIMATE GOALS IN THE FUTURE. SOLAR ENERGY WILL OCCUPY THE POLE POSITION IN DEEPENING THE COUNTRY’S COMMITMENT TOWARDS DECARBONISATION AND DECENTRALISATION OF ELECTRICITY. TO EXPONENTIALLY BOOST ENERGY TRANSITION IN INDIA, A ZERO POLICY DOUBLE-SPEAK BETWEEN THE CENTRE AND STATES ON REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT IS IMPERATIVE. LONG-TERM, COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND A SINGLE-WINDOW SYSTEM FOR QUICKER APPROVALS NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE.
Partner’ s brand value within the industry as well as on social media and in ensuring the firm creates headlines for all its achievements. Prior to 4PEL, Nithya was a business journalist and news anchor with CNBC and Economic Times TV in New Delhi for nearly a decade where she tracked corporate policy for the Energy and Retail sectors. She was a finalist for the Best TV Journalist (under 25) by the Indian Broadcasters Association in 2012.
47
IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY LIKE OURS ‘COST-SAVINGS’ WILL BE THE PRIMARY DRIVER FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES AS INDUSTRY & INSTITUTIONS WILL LOOK FOR MORE AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE OPTIONS. SUSTAINABILITY WILL NEED TO PIGGYBACK ON THE MONETARY BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO SOLAR, IN THE NEAR-TERM.”
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
NIVEDITA BHATTACHARYA DIRECTOR-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUNEDISON
Nivedita Bhattacharya is Director, Business
the sector to facilitate policy framing, tendering,
Development at SunEdison. Nivedita is the face of
procurement, project clearances & execution.
SunEdison for Government, nodal agency & PSU
Nivedita has enabled smooth project execution
interfacing at senior levels for diverse solar
and commissioning by working closely with
projects. She also actively interfaces with
various state governments and state agencies at
Railways, Defense & large PSU C&I customers for
senior levels.
setting up projects across India covering the entire range of utility scale, behind-the-meter, rooftop, residential & pump solar projects. She has over 16 years of holistic experience in the Indian power sector where she has worked with distribution utilities (NDPL), trading companies (PTC), consultancy firms (PwC, Feedback Ventures), large IPP companies (Moser Baer, Tata Power) and rooftop solar companies (Amplus). With her wide and diverse experience, Nivedita is able to engage with a variety of stakeholders in
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
ENGAGING POSITIVELY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GOVERNMENTS, IS A VERY VITAL COMPONENT THAT DETERMINES THE SUCCESS OF ALL OF US IN THE INDIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR.
48
PARUL K. SHAH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ZODIAC ENERGY LIMITED Mrs. Parul K. Shah is Executive Director of Zodiac Energy Limited Ahmedabad, a listed corporate on National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). She is heading the residential rooftop system division of Zodiac Energy Limited and under her leadership, the company has achieved 20+ MW installation in Residential Solar Rooftop systems with 4500+ clients in last 4 years (including WIP) up to March 2020 making Zodiac Energy Limited, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s No. 1 Residential Rooftop Solar Installer. Today, Zodiac Energy Limited is household name in Gujarat for residential solar rooftop projects.
Empowering Future with Eternal, Safe & Clean Solar Energy". 49
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
PAYAL SAXENA MANAGER - STRATEGIC CONSULTING GENSOL GROUP
Payal Saxena, being a young, trustworthy, and
Not limiting herself to Solar PV Technology, she
dynamic person, has been always a part of
has hands-on experience in Micro-Electro-
innovative and advanced research in the
Mechanical System (MEMs) (ranging from nano-
challenging and emerging field of the energy
meter to micro-meter) - designing, fabrication, and
sector. She has a strong technical background
simulation of Electrostatic Energy Harvester
with BE in Electrical & Electronics Engineering,
Devices, Bio-CNG/Biogas, Energy Storage &
M. Tech in Energy Technology, and currently
Electric Vehicle. Energy Harvester was developed
leading Strategic Consulting Department in
using X-ray Lithography BL-07 in Synchrotron Unit
Gensol Group.
in RRCAT, Indore. She has released various research publications in the past to create
With the experience of 4. 5+ years, Payal Saxena
awareness on Renewable Energy.
has been actively involved in various roles and responsibilities of the company. She has provided solar PV consultancy services (10GW+) as Lender’ s Independent Engineer (LIE) and Owner’ s Engineer (OE) ranging from kW to MW. She has served leading investors or lenders of the Renewable Energy industry for asset acquisition & loan facilities. Also, She provided advisory services to key solar players from concept to commissioning of the project.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
CLIMATE CHANGE CAN END, WHEN IT’S YOU AND ME WHO STAND, HAND IN HAND” 50
RAJNI BHANDARI AGM- MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AMP ENERGY INDIA Prior to Amp Energy India, Rajni has worked with prominent solar Independent Power Producers such as Azure Power and Amplus Solar where she managed new business development, stakeholder relationships, marketing content creation and brand development. During these stints, Rajni’ s notable achievements included conceptualising and implementing innovative solutions for distributed generation and rural microgrids much before such commercial arrangements had been institutionalised in India. During this period, Rajni also worked alongside Rajni Bhandari is AGM – Marketing & Business Development with Amp Energy India, a leading renewable energy developer providing sustainable energy solutions to both utility and non-utility customers. At Amp Energy, Rajni leads the company’ s marketing, brand development and public relations initiatives in India while also handling business development and client relationship management for Western India. As a part of her role, Rajni has led the sourcing and contracting of non-utility solar solutions across customer categories such as FMCG, IT enabled services and manufacturing as Amp Energy expands its footprint in India to more than 1 GW including a pipeline of projects under implementation. Rajni has been involved in India’ s solar energy sector since its infancy and has seen the sector grow exponentially over the last 11 years.
51
reputable sustainable developmental institutions such as Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on their initiatives in developing non-utility solar in India. Rajni holds an MBA degree in Power Management from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies and Bachelor’ s degree in Chemistry (Hons) from Delhi University.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AFFORDS SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT ONLY ECONOMICAL BUT ALSO SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY TRANSFORMATIVE." ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
DR. RAJNI PATEL PRESIDENT - DR. GOPAL ENERGY FOUNDATION / JOINT MANAGING PARTNER TRANS INDIA LAW ASSOCIATES Dr. Rajni Patel President - Dr. Gopal Energy
To mitigate Climate Change and remove the curse
Foundation (www. dgef. in) & Joint Managing
of Energy poverty globally she Co-Founded Dr.
Partner -Trans India Law Associates (www. tila. in)
Gopal Energy Foundation a voluntary organisation. DGEF since 2015 has been working
Dr Rajni was born when her father, an Engineer by
for energy transformation by serving the global
profession was building Loktak Hydro Electric
community with motto of “energy for all”. Dr
Project (Manipur). In her formative years she was
Rajni’ s vision and leadership have led DGEF to
blessed to witness the construction of most
incubate several initiatives such as TILA
valuable Hydro Projects of India. She was acutely
International Confex on Energy (Motto – Energy
aware that she has to do some activity as a
Transformation); TILA International Moot Court
mission for resolving twin challenges that India
Competition on Energy and International Laws
and World are facing (1) Energy poverty & (2)
(Motto- Right to Energy); Electricity Laws – Online
Climate Change.
Certificate Course (Motto-Capacity building for Energy professionals) ; International Energy
After a decade of education in Law (LLB),
Arbitration Centre (Motto- Timely dispute
Management (MBA) & Research (PhD) today she
resolution for Energy revolution).
rose to become the Joint Managing Partner of TILA. She also served as Expert Examiner for
She is a sought-after attorney, for Legal Due
professional bodies like ICAI and ICSI.
Diligence for land acquisition for Energy Projects. As President of DGEF she has been able to
Dr Rajni led TILA Teams for one of the largest
highlight “Right to Energy” for resolution of Energy
acquisition of Land for setting up Solar / Wind
poverty & Climate change.
projects in India for leading companies such as IREDA, Suzlon Energy, Adani Renewable etc. Under her guidance TILA has also advised Energy Companies for PPAs /Energy Contract Management. Her team also worked for merger and acquisitions for Power PSU’ s like SJVN Ltd. / NEEPCO Ltd. Thanks to Dr. Rajni, for supporting Solar Module Manufacturing Companies for BIS / ALMM approvals.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
AS RENEWABLE POWER BOOMS, INNOVATION SHALL BRING DOWN COSTS AND WE MAY START TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE"
52
REENA BANERJEE HEAD-HUMAN RESOURCE SPRNG ENERGY
With diverse prior experience of HR in IT, ITES and Manufacturing industries, Reena Banerjee has been currently fulfilling the HR role for Sprng Energy since the past two and half years. She is currently associated with an industry that is designed to build India in an ecologically green fashion. As part of the initiatives to generate power through green alternatives (like wind and solar), Sprng Energy has a mission aimed at enhancing India’s national capacity in the solar and wind generating fields effectively and efficiently with a target of 2.5 GW by 2022. This aim is what serves as inspiration to the commitment level of the team. She has been associated quite actively with a few NGO’s like Rudra Environmental Solution, Edarch.org, Poornam and Shreevatsa – SOFOSH.
53
WITH INCREASING EMPHASIS AND SUSTAINED INITIATIVES BY GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE, RENEWABLES HAVE BECOME THE BUZZWORD FOR THE DAY AND ARE HERE TO STAY. IN THE THIRD DECADE OF 21ST CENTURY, RENEWABLE ENERGY SEEMS TO BE THE RIGHT MANTRA.” ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
RITU LAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF EXTERNAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS, AMPLUS SOLAR International Solar Alliance (ISA). Her immense contribution to the sector includes training energy Ritu Lal is Senior Vice President and Head of
professionals and government officials from
External and Institutional Relations at Amplus
various countries on how to make solar
Solar. Amplus has recently (April 2019) become a
commercially viable. She is also a part of various
member of the PETRONAS Group, one of the
industry initiatives aimed at increasing the
largest energy conglomerates in the world. Ritu is
participation of women in renewable energy. She
passionate about India’ s renewable opportunities,
is frequently invited to share her thoughts as an
especially Solar, and is a keen advocate for policy
industry expert by Council on Energy Environment
support and initiatives that can maximise India’ s
and Water (CEEW), Observer Research Foundation
adoption of solar. She represents Amplus at
(ORF), World Resources Institute (WRI), RE-Invest,
industry bodies like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IGEF,
Intersolar, Renewable Energy India Expo (REI) and
trade associations, media, government agencies,
Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI). She is also
policy think tanks and various other platforms and
a leading member in all the major policy advocacy
events, in India and internationally. She has been
groups in the renewable energy sector, giving
with Amplus from its early days and previously
inputs to MNRE and other regulatory bodies such
headed the Business Development portfolio. Her
as DERC and JERC in designing state policies that
rich experience of over 20 years has been across
aid deployment of rooftop solar in India. Ritu Lal
various fields - she has worked extensively in
has been an essential part of the growth story of
Purchasing and Supply Chain, Sales and Business
Amplus, which began as one of the pioneering
Development, and has had substantial roles in
rooftop solar start-ups in India. Today, Amplus has
Finance, HR, Facilities Management and
over 300 employees and is arguably India’ s most
Administration. Her diverse skill sets give her an
admired rooftop and distributed solar energy
in-depth understanding of industry requirements
company. It would not be wrong to say that her
as well as business and regulatory issues. Prior to
drive, strategic inputs and leadership have been
the solar industry, she has worked with the FMCG
key catalysts in Amplus’ s growth.
and Pharmaceutical sectors, with companies like GlaxoSmithKline and DSM. Her career has been marked with diverse geographical exposure, and along with India, she has worked in Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. In addition to her business role, she mentors young solar professionals and trains industry start-ups at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
WE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THIS EXCITING TRANSITION TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY. I HOPE THAT MORE AND MORE WOMEN WILL NOT JUST JOIN THIS MOVEMENT, BUT LEAD IT FROM THE FRONT.”
54
RUPAM GAUTAM HEAD-ASSET MANAGEMENT, NORTH & EAST INDIA, CLEANMAX
Ms. Rupam Gautam is the Asset Management
She is also a yellow belt in Six Sigma with a
Head at CleanMax, the trusted sustainability
strong hold in Asset Management, Business
partner for Asia’ s leading commercial and
Development, Engineering, Project Management,
industrial customers. She heads the Northern
Fund Raising, Due diligence activities with the
and Eastern regions for CleanMax in India. With
likes of KPMG. She has also liaison with Central
over 9 years of experience in the Renewable
and State nodal agencies like SECI, MNRE,
Energy and Power sector, Ms. Gautam has
UPNEDA, HAREDA, to name a few. She is a
experience and expertise across various
visiting faculty at various renowned institutes /
avenues in the value chain of business – right
organisations like IMT Ghaziabad, GN group,
from sales, design to delivery. Her demonstrable
Invertis University, ITS group, GCET amongst
excellence as a sales expert, combined with
others. She has also been keynote speaker and
technical knowledge helps her scale up
panelist at numerous events for the power sector
operations while maintaining quality and
organised by firms like Honeywell, NTPC, etc; and
control. Prior to CleanMax, Ms. Gautam has
has acted as senior in-house trainer on topics like
worked with Larsen & Toubro for over 5
DCS, Business Development, Personality
consecutive years across different capacities
Development and Project Management. Her
She worked in the core engineering team which
strong engineering background and management
designed supercritical pressure boilers used in
degree from IMT Ghaziabad provides her a good
coal-fired power generation plants with
stead to understand and influence every aspect
operating capacities between 660 and 1, 000
of CleanMax’ s processes. She has worked in
megawatts Her key responsibilities included
different capacities throughout the project cycle
assortment of materials, vendor selection,
to service the clients’ and investors’ requirements
instrumentation control, logic preparation and
for high generation and revenue.
monitoring of many other parameters. Apart from this she was also part of the process that initiated the requirement of renewable energy sources like solar energy plants in the coal fired
WE ARE PROBABLY THE ONLY GENERATION WHO ARE AT THE CUSP;
plants. She is a Certified level 2 - Value Engineer
AND HAVE THE OPTION OF SAVING
from SAVE, USA.
OUR RESOURCES, MAKE SURE WE ARE REMEMBERED THE RIGHT WAY.”
55
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SHIKHA UPADHAYAY MANAGER MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS & PR REC INDIA
Shikha leads the Marketing and PR efforts at REC
She comes with a strong background in
Solar for India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, she is
communications having previously held positions
also closely working on overall Digital, Branding
in development sector, infra Sector and education
and PR efforts for REC at the APAC level. REC
sector. She has also worked as a free-lance
Solar is a leading brand of solar panel
communication-consultant most notably for the
manufacturer headquartered in Norway with its
Kumaon Literary Festival 1st Edition in 2015 which
operational headquarter in Singapore. REC’ s Tuas
was backed by NDTV and Yes Bank as a
factory in Singapore is a state-of-the-art
communication strategist.
manufacturing facility powered by cutting-edge technology p. m/roducing world-class solar
With passion for environment and renewables she
panels. In India REC is the largest European
is an avid reader and writer and a keen follower of
brand of solar panels with 400 MW in installation,
the sustainability brigade. She believes in shared
globally that number is 10GW cumulative. With
responsibilities and the power of effective
high efficiency and best in class warranties it' s a
communication to bring about real change at the
preferred brand for rooftop systems in the
behavioral level for a long-term change.
commercial and industrial segment and also for homeowners. She has been in the position for more than 2. 5 years now. Previously she was the Manager Conferences for the eponymous show in India, Renewable Energy India trade show in Greater Noida which she successfully helmed for two-editions. REI is India’ s largest trade show in solar and renewables organised by UBM India. She was closely involved in the overall planning, branding and execution for the entire summit. Apart from that she was also leading the Conference division for the overall Renewable portfolio in UBM India.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
As a marketing & communication professional in the solar industry the biggest challenge I see is, how to make solar attractive and aspirational? It’s not just another investment, but once in 25years, and you will only invest once in it in your lifetime. We have to move from government targets to personal targets. You want solar and clean-energy to be next-inthing for a mass-adaptation and that’s the toughest task for any marketeer in industry currently.”
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DR. SHWETA TRIPATHI GLOBAL HEAD OF KNOWLEDGE ENZEN GROUP
Dr. Shweta Tripathi is the Global Head of
She is an alumnus of the Department of Politics
Knowledge at Enzen Group, responsible for
and International Relations at Oxford University
strategic growth into new markets, services and
and the Department of Chemical Engineering at
innovation.
McGill University in Canada, Shweta holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from
Shweta has more than 19 years’ experience in
Lehigh University, USA. She has two Master’ s
clean energy and water as a business leader,
degrees — one in Environmental Engineering
strategist, researcher and solution architect, and
and Management from the llT Kanpur/Karlsruhe
has worked with utilities, academia, government
Institute of Technology, and another in Life
agencies, the World Bank and NGOs around the
Sciences from Kanpur University.
world. Her achievements include the direction and delivery of wind-solar hybrid, nano and microgrid projects in unconnected remote habitats. She has also pioneered projects successfully demonstrating the use of aerial and underwater robotics for solar farms and floating solar installations, operations and maintenance. Shweta is a recipient of the UK Foreign Office’ s Chevening Gurukul Fellowship, the FQRNT Fellowship from the Ministry of Education and Science in Quebec and the DAAD Fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service.
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I LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN WE CALL ’RENEWABLE ENERGY’, JUST ’ENERGY’ AND ’FOSSIL FUELS’JUST ’FOSSILS” ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SMRITI SINGH MANAGER - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FIRSTVIEW MEDIA VENTURES PVT LTD
With a rich experience of over 15+ years in diverse fields, Smriti Singh is currently a Manager Business Development at FirstView Media Ventures Pvt Ltd. At FirstView she is responsible for managing a portfolio of Key Accounts of Renewable Energy Corporates and generating business through media related activities with complete lead to cash management. She has taken a lead in supervising and managing E2E operational activities at FirstView Media. Previously she has been associated with various companies, including Village Ways Pvt. Ltd and Nokia Siemens Network to name a few. Her relevant work experience and attitude to continuous improvement has led her to be one of the most sought after manager at FirstView. She has a degree of Bachelor of Computer Sciences from MES College, Bangalore.
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
THERE ARE NO ENERGY CRISIS..IT’S A CRISIS OF IGNORANCE..OUR CONSTANT ENDEAVOUR SHOULD BE TO MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY MORE ACCEPTABLE AND AVAILABLE AMONGST THE COMMON MAN. LET’S EXHAUST ALL RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES BEFORE LOOKING TOWARDS CONSUMING FROM NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES"
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SRISHTI AHUJA PARTNER | TRANSACTION ADVISORY SERVICES, ERNST & YOUNG LLP Srishti Ahuja Taneja is a Partner in EY India’ s Investment Banking Advisory practice. In her role as an M&A banker, she has consummated marquee transactions in the renewables and sustainability space, including some of the largest and first of its kind transactions in India. She is considered a sector expert and brings rich transaction experience on board for benefit of project developers and global institutional investors. She has advised some of the largest global utilities and blue chip funds on their investments in India. Srishti has also been a part of the growth story of several large Indian renewables players, having advised them on multiple fund raises and M&A transactions.
GLOBALLY, ENERGY GENERATION HAS TO MOVE TOWARDS RENEWABLES. THIS IS DRIVEN NOT JUST BY SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVE, BUT ALSO ECONOMICS AS NEWER TECHNOLOGIES MAKE RENEWABLES THE MOST VIABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY.”
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ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
STEPHANIE KESSLER INTERNATIONAL BD & SALES MANAGER AEROCOMPACT GMBH Stephanie's current role is managing sales offices for better serving the customer needs. Additionally, she plays a key role in development of innovative products by direct exchange with management and customers. Stephanie has also been contributing to the company by increasing the brand awareness, initiating market growth and understanding needs for product development in specific regions.
UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMER NEEDS IS AT THE BASE OF BUILDING A VALUABLE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP. PROVIDING RELIABLE SOLUTIONS AND (AFTER) SALES SUPPORT IS AT ITS CORE."
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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SURBHI GOYAL SENIOR ENERGY SPECIALIST WORLD BANK
Surbhi has been contributing towards the cause of promoting sustainable infrastructure for over 14 years now. Her leadership roles in bringing
BECOME SUSTAINABLE AND LOW
750 MW Rewa project to life that helped bring
ON CARBON FOOTPRINT, IT NEEDS
solar power tariff at par with other generation
TO BRING IN THE OBJECTIVE TO
sources and hence reinstating the confidence of the private investors in the solar sector as a
SERVE THE POOREST OF THE
whole and especially in the state sector bids.
COUNTRY IN THE MAINSTREAM BY
Projects like Rewa gave a boost to the
ENHANCING RELEVANT SKILLSETS,
Government of India to target for the higher renewable energy generation goals in the
INTRODUCING NEW
coming future. The principle she followed, and
TECHNOLOGIES, AND GIVING AN
continues to, is to support public sector where it
EQUAL ACCESS TO
has a comparative advantage while let the market forces play a free hand in the rest.
OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL. IF THE
Strengthening of the National Grid or the central
COUNTRY HAS TO SUSTAIN THE
transmission systems, through POWERGRID,
MOMENTUM IN RENEWABLE
where she played a key role in bringing investments to this central entity, has resulted in
ENERGY SECTOR, THE THRUST
seamless dispatch of power across the country.
SHOULD BE ON PROMOTING EASE
She believes that long term partnerships of the
OF DOING BUSINESS THROUGH
World Bank with entities like POWERGRID have helped it become one of the pioneers in their fields globally.
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IF A COUNTRY HAS TO
PROVIDING CLARITY ON POLICY AND REGULATORY MATTERS."
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
SUNNY XU CEO, KEHUA TECHNOLOGY PVT. LTD. Sunny is the leader and pioneer of Kehua India Market. She is also known to be a pioneer in the Asia renewable energy industry with GW grade sales performance. She perfectly combines feminine charm and unmatched leadership style. Sunny, as her name, brings sunshine everywhere she goes and engages in the career that transforms the nature' s greatest gift to clean and renewable wealth. Her power is originated from the passion for mobilizing the right talents to deliver the right things that create value for key stakeholders. Based on 8+ years industry experience, Sunny has delivered multiple landmark solar projects in Asia, the accumulative capacity is above 2GW.
THE BEST PACKAGE CONSISTS OF RELIABLE PRODUCTS, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS, RESPONSIBLE SERVICE ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
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DR. UMA RAJARATHNAM VP AND GLOBAL HEAD OF APPLIED RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION ENZEN GROUP She’ s been awarded the Fulbright Indo-American Environment Leadership Programme Fellowship and the Chevening Rolls-Royce Fellowship. In 2007, the UN International Panel for Climate Change, in which Uma was closely involved, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Uma has published more than 30 papers and Dr. Uma Rajarathnam heads Enzen’ s Applied
holds a Masters’ in Environmental Science, a
Research and Collaboration Centre and is
Doctorate from the Centre for Energy Studies at
responsible for the technical direction and
llT in Delhi, and is an alumnus of the Stanford
delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary projects in
Graduate School of Business in the USA and Said
the fields of energy efficiency and renewables.
Business School in the UK. She’ s also on the board of WiSH Energy Solutions,
She has more than 30 years’ experience in clean
which provides small-scale wind and solar
energy and the environment, and has
hybrids.
collaborated with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Uma has led the design and implementation of solar pump-sets for marginalised farmers, the decentralisation of electricity for 68 villages in Karnataka, India, and has introduced innovative technology to reduce renewable energy curtailment.
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ACCESS TO ENERGY IS ESSENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT; PROMOTING CLEANER ENERGY IS CRUCIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”. ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 42 | SolarQuarter | WindInsider | EMobility+