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WindInsider’s
Next-Gen Leaders Celebrating Young Leaders
40
An Initiative by
WindInsider Publications Welcome to WindInsider Next-Gen Leaders – an extraordinary campaign set to celebrate the brilliance of young leaders under 40 who are revolutionizing the wind energy landscape. In this special digital publication, we unveil the trailblazers, the visionaries, and the innovators who are propelling the wind industry into a sustainable future. These exceptional individuals have not only embraced the challenges of renewable energy but have emerged as champions, driving meaningful change in the sector. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements and contributions of these dynamic leaders, showcasing their dedication to reshaping the narrative of clean and sustainable energy. WindInsider Next-Gen Leaders - where the future of wind energy takes center stage, and the leaders of tomorrow redefine the possibilities of today.
Anirudh Somnath Senior Manager Engineering (Wind), Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited Anirudh Somnath, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector, currently serves as the Senior Manager – Engineering (Wind) at Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited in India. His academic background is equally impressive, holding an MSc in Renewable Energy from Haze University of Applied Science in the Netherlands, complemented by specialized training in Wind Energy from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. Anirudh's journey in the renewable energy sector began with a childhood fascination with windmills he encountered during his travels from his village in Chikkamagaluru, India, to his boarding school.This early inspiration led him to pursue a
career in this field, and he joined Ayana Renewables Wind Engineering department as one of the founding members. During his five years at Ayana, Anirudh has played a pivotal role in securing over 1100MW of wind project capacity through wind auctions. Currently, he is dedicated to identifying potential sites for wind project development within the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) segment. Driven by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Anirudh remains steadfast in his vision of contributing to a cleaner and greener future through the development of wind energy in India. His expertise and dedication make him a valuable asset to the renewable energy sector.
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Archit Agrawal CEO & Director GLOBE ECOLOGISTICS PVT. LTD.
Archit Agrawal is involved with Globe Ecologistics since 2012 in various roles like Business Development and Strategy. He has been serving as the CEO since 2019. He comes with a Bachelor’s in Science in Management from Purdue University and a Masters in Science in Oil and Gas Management from University of Aberdeen. His background in the Supply Chain and Energy sector have helped guide the company through the last few years. The company has successfully evolved into a one-stop solution for all wind energy related logistics. He has tried to push the company towards becoming technologically advanced by not only adopting the best industry practices but also pioneer solutions in new emerging areas, especially in terms of Health and Safety. He is instrumental in the major fleet expansion
undertaken by the company recently to prepare the company to grab the maximum possible opportunities available in the market. He is responsible for adapting to market requirements by introducing new types of vehicles to meet the evolving needs of the market due to higher capacity machines being introduced in the market. He is also planning to foray into other allied fields to align the company with the tremendous growth in the renewable sector in India. He is involved in industry organizations like Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) and Hydraulic Trailers Owners Association (HTOA). He is also an activer member of Entrepreneurs Organization.
WINDINISIDER’S NEXT-GEN LEADERS CELEBRATING YOUNG LEADERS UNDER 40!
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Iyappan M DGM Projects, Everrenew Energy Private Limited M. Iyappan is an expert in Renewable Energy with more than 19 years of experience in developing and building Wind and Solar projects. Currently, he works as a Deputy General Manager – Projects at Everrenew. His skills cover everything in Wind Power Projects, such as creating wind farms, building them, and getting them started in India and Sri Lanka. He is good at managing contracts, dealing with vendors, buying what's needed, leading teams, managing projects, handling supply chains, and negotiating. He has great experience in making developments for moving parts of wind turbines. At Everrenew since October 2021, M. Iyappan has shown skills in planning projects, understanding costs, managing risks, choosing the right cranes, planning resources, working with others, and making sure projects are finished on time. He also looks at daily project updates, manages resources, finds new vendors, and helps the team buy things they need. Before Everrenew, M. Iyappan worked as a WTG Construction Lead at Renew Power & Siemens Gamesa Renewables. He was excellent at working with others, figuring out costs, managing risks, talking to customers for milestones and planning how to get what's needed. He made sure projects had enough milestones to make a good profit.
Before Siemens Gamesa, M. Iyappan worked at Vestas Wind Technology as a Senior Engineer (Project) from August 2004 to April 2010. His job was to plan projects, assign resources, talk to different teams, make sure everything was on schedule, and make sure the budget was followed. He also kept an eye on project progress, costs, quality, cash flow, safety, and risks. He was awarded for being the best performer, went for advanced training in Spain, and finished projects in other countries, like a 20MW project in Sri Lanka and Cyprus. M. Iyappan has spearheaded the Wind Energy industry in the country. He helped add around 15 Gigawatts of Wind Energy Capacity, making a big impact. His knowledge and skills have really helped the wind energy sector grow in the country. M. Iyappan studied Electrical & Electronics Engineering, got a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, and did an Executive Postgraduate in Management from Chennai Business School. He is also a certified Project Manager at Level C by Project Management Associates (IPMA).
WINDINISIDER’S NEXT-GEN LEADERS CELEBRATING YOUNG LEADERS UNDER 40!
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Santhanalakshmi S Sr. Manager LEGAL & CONTRACTS, EVERRENEW ENERGY PRIVATE LIMITED Santhanalakshmi is an exceptional professional who embarked on her career as an associate in the field of law with an academic background of Bachelor of Law, Master in Business Economics, and MBA in Human Resources and is currently pursuing LL.M in Labour Law. However, her remarkable journey took a transformative turn when her passion for renewable energy ignited a new path in her career. In 2008, she transitioned into the renewable energy sector, and since then, she has dedicated herself to the cause of clean and sustainable energy. Over 15 years, she has left an indelible mark in the realms of legal expertise, contracts, and compliance within major renewable energy players in the country. Extraordinary accomplishments have marked her journey within the renewable energy sector. One of her standout achievements is her role in executing over 13 gigawatts (GW) of commercial contracts, serving as a linchpin between various stakeholders, including Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and clients. This remarkable feat underscores her profound expertise in navigating the intricate legal and contractual intricacies of the renewable energy sector. However, it hasn't been a straightforward journey. As a woman in a demanding profession, the challenges of balancing work and personal life, especially during and after maternity, were significant. Yet, Santhanalakshmi's unwavering determination to continue her professional growth and contribute to the renewable energy sector speaks volumes about her resilience and commitment. Crucially, Santhanalakshmi's journey has been significantly bolstered by her current company, Everrenew.
With their support, motivation, and multidimensional role, she is delivering her utmost results in the renewable energy field. Everrenew, being one of the key players in the market, has provided her with a platform to realize her personal and professional goals successfully. She is committed to contributing to the monumental country’s target to install a colossal 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Her commitment doesn't stop there. Her envision of future is where the world achieves net-zero emissions well before the global target year of 2070. Santhanalakshmi is determined to play a substantial role in this journey, recognizing that achieving net-zero emissions is paramount to mitigating the impacts of climate change and securing a sustainable future for generations to come. Her dedication and commitment to the renewable energy sector make her a formidable force for positive change. In conclusion, Santhanalakshmi's journey in the renewable energy sector is a compelling story of determination, resilience, and a deep passion for clean and sustainable energy. Her transition from a legal associate to a key figure in the renewable energy industry underscores her commitment to a greener and more sustainable future. Her experiences and unwavering dedication serve as an inspiration to professionals, especially women, who face similar challenges in their careers. Santhanalakshmi's mission to contribute to a more sustainable world is a testament to the transformative power of determination and unwavering commitment. With her vision, Everrenew's support, and the collective effort of like-minded individuals and organizations, a brighter, cleaner future seems within reach.
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Sakthivel J AVP WIND & SOLAR PROJECTS, EVERRENEW ENERGY PRIVATE LIMITED Sakthivel is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working expertise in the Renewable Energy industry with a mantra of "Concept to Commissioning". He has an intense experience in the cross-functional portfolio of Business Development, Project development & management, Contracts & Supply Chain Management. The wealth of experience covers handling projects and contracts worth INR 9000 Crores.
Sakthivel has set a Benchmark in the Indian Renewable Energy sector for executing 2GW in a Single Year (FY 2016-17). He has Executed the First Indian SECI Project in India. Under his leadership, his team executed wind projects of 10000 MW OF Wind Projects & 1000 MW OF SOLAR Projects. Sakthivel has previously worked with GE, Vestas & Siemens Gamesa. Shakthi holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University
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Rishi C. Sanghvi Managing Director SANGHVI MOVERS LTD. Rishi Sanghvi is the Managing Director of Sanghvi Movers Limited (SML), World's 6th and Asia's largest crane rental company. SML is traded on the BSE/NSE and its fleet includes 450+ heavyduty telescopic and crawler cranes. Rishi is passionate about renewable energy which is reflected in the company’s track record of erecting more than 15 GW of wind turbines in the last decade. He has an MBA degree,
focused in Finance from Cornell University and a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition to his role as Managing Director, Rishi Sanghvi serves as Co-Chair of the National Council on Logistics for ASSOCHAM and is a member of the CII WR SubCommittee on Infrastructure and Real Estate. He is also an active member of the Young Presidents Organization and Entrepreneurs' Organization.
WINDINISIDER’S NEXT-GEN LEADERS CELEBRATING YOUNG LEADERS UNDER 40!
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Kumud Niranjan Mishra General Manager WIND (O&M), HERO FUTURE ENERGIES Kumud Niranjan Mishra, a Chartered Engineer and General Manager in Wind Operations at Hero Future Energies (HFE), boasts a rich and diverse career spanning 15 years in the energy sector, with eight years dedicated to renewable energy. With a background in Electrical, Electronics, and Power Engineering, Kumud has been a driving force in HFE's pursuit of a sustainable future through innovative cleantech solutions. He oversees wind operations for HFE, managing an impressive asset base of 583 MW of wind assets and continuously striving for asset performance optimization and innovation through global technology partnerships. Prior to his current role at Hero Future Energies, Kumud gained valuable experience working in renowned organizations
such as Ketan Construction Limited, Adani Power Limited, Sterlite Power Transmission Limited, and Skeiron Renewable Pvt Ltd. His contributions to these organizations included project management, business development, and key roles in power transmission and substation projects, both in India and abroad. Throughout his career, Kumud has achieved multiple promotions and accolades, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication in the energy sector. His commitment to shaping a sustainable future through renewable energy aligns seamlessly with Hero Future Energies' mission and their commitment to clean and renewable sources of power generation.
WINDINISIDER’S NEXT-GEN LEADERS CELEBRATING YOUNG LEADERS UNDER 40!
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