The past year saw several leadership changes, at both the ministerial level and in prominent power companies. New ministers have taken charge at the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Coal (MoC). Management changes have also taken place in major public sector undertakings, including NHPC Limited, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Private players, including CESC Limited, Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL), Toshiba, JSW Power Systems Private Limited, GE Power India, Waaree Energies, Tata Power and Sterlite Power have also announced senior management changes. A look at the key recent appointments in the power sector….
Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Power, and Housing and Urban Affairs
In June 2024, Manohar Lal Khattar assumed the roles of union minister of power, and union minister of housing & urban affairs, succeeding R.K. Singh. Prior to this, Khattar served as the chief minister of Haryana for two consecutive terms. He graduated from Delhi University.
At a recent press conference, he stated that the achievements in the power sector during the first 100-day period of the new government demonstrate the ministry’s focus on policy reforms and the introduction of new initiatives, which will go a long way in strengthening and empowering the power sector.
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy
Pralhad Joshi took over as union minister for new and renewable energy in June 2024. This is in addition to his portfolio of minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution. A five-time Member of Parliament, Joshi managed the coal, mines and parliamentary affairs portfolios in the last cabinet. His tenure in these ministries were marked by several key initiatives that were aimed at reforming and streamlining operations in the coal and mining sectors, as well as enhancing the efficiency of parliamentary proceedings.
G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines
G. Kishan Reddy assumed charge as union minister of coal and mines on June 11, 2024, succeeding Pralhad Joshi. He also served as minister of tourism, culture and development of the North-eastern region of India from 2019 to 2024.
V.L. Kanta Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Coal
V.L. Kanta Rao, a 1992 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, assumed additional charge as coal secretary in September 2024. He is also secretary, Ministry of Mines. Prior to this, he was serving as additional secretary in the Ministry of Telecommunications, where he contributed significantly towards the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals and was instrumental in the successful execution of initiatives under the Digital Communications Policy, various regulatory recommendations, international relations and universal connectivity. Rao has a BTech in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
S. Suresh Kumar, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation
S. Suresh Kumar, a 1988 batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre and former additional chief secretary to the West Bengal government, assumed charge as the chairman of DVC on January 1, 2024. Prior to that, Kumar served as director general, Netaji Subhash Administrative Training Institute, Kolkata. He held various key administrative posts during his career, including director (finance) of the National Aids Control Organisation, Officer on Special Duty with the Election Commission of India and joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He has a BTech in chemical engineering from IIT Madras.
Raj Kumar Chaudhary, CMD, NHPC Limited
Raj Kumar Chaudhary took charge as chairman and managing director (CMD), NHPC Limited on August 7, 2024. He joined NHPC in 1989 at the Koel Karo Hydroelectric Plant in Jharkhand and has since served in various departments such as cost engineering, and design & engineering at the corporate office and in NHPC’s Koel Karo, Kalpong, Teesta V and Subansiri Lower hydroelectric projects. He has also served as director (technical) at the Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu II projects in Bhutan. He has experience in all aspects of hydroelectric project development, from concept to commissioning, and has contributed to the development of hydropower in India and Bhutan. A graduate in civil engineering from BIT (Sindri), he also has an advanced diploma in management.
Koppu Sadashiv Murthy, CMD, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Koppu Sadashiv Murthy assumed charge as CMD of BHEL in November 2023. Prior to that, Murthy was executive director of its Corporate Operations Management Group. He also held additional charge as CMD of Bharat Pumps and Compressors Limited.
Murthy began his professional journey with BHEL in 1989 at its Jhansi manufacturing unit. During the course of his career, he has worked across various BHEL units including in Hyderabad, Bhopal, Jhansi and Varanasi. An electrical engineering alumnus of Bhopal University, he also has an MBA in finance.
Puneet Bhatla, MD, GE Power India
Puneet Bhatla was appointed managing director (MD) of GE Vernova, effective September 1, 2024. Bhatla currently leads the Steam Power India Growth Areas, overseeing core and upgrade services, air quality control equipment and Durgapur manufacturing for the Steam Power India business. In this capacity, he is responsible for driving regional business profitability, executing operational plans, managing the lifecycle customer experience from inquiry
to execution.
Prior to this, Bhatla served as executive leader of India Services Operations at GE Steam Power. His career spans over 30 years with premier power sector companies such as NTPC Limited, BHEL and Siemens India Limited.
He has held key roles in engineering, product management, project execution, business development, joint venture negotiations and technical licensing for steam, nuclear and gas turbines.
Bhatla holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and has done an accelerated management programme at IIM Indore.
Gajanan Kale, CEO, Tata Power-DDL
Gajanan Sampatrao Kale took over as chief executive officer (CEO) of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL) in April 2024. Prior to this role, he served as CEO of TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited from 2021 to 2024 and as CEO of TP Ajmer Distribution Limited from 2018 to 2020. Kale began his career with BHEL in Bhopal and has held various positions at the Central Railway Nagpur Division, Delhi Vidyut Board and Tata Power-DDL, among others.
Kale has a BE in electrical power systems from Amravati University and an MTech in integrated power systems from National Institute of Technology, Nagpur University. Additionally, Kale earned an MBA in finance and did an advanced management programme at IIM, Ahmedabad.
Reshu Madan, CEO, Global Products & Services business, Sterlite Power
Reshu Madan was appointed CEO of the Global Products and Services business at Sterlite Power in May 2024.
Madan is an industry leader with over 25 years of experience in the power and infrastructure sectors. During the past five years at Sterlite Power, he has led the growth of the power cables vertical as director of commercial and HVDC, successfully securing the company’s first Statcom project in the infrastructure sector. Prior to joining Sterlite Power, Madan held leadership positions at Crompton Greaves and TBEA Energy. On his appointment, Madan said, “Given our scale, technology and manufacturing capabilities, Sterlite Power’s growth potential is significant.
I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and valued customers to unlock this potential and deliver clean energy solutions on a global scale.” Madan has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pune University and a postgraduate diploma in business management from
IMT Ghaziabad.
Daisuke Murata, MD, Toshiba JSW Power Systems Private Limited
In June 2024, Daisuke Murata was appointed MD of Toshiba JSW Power Systems Private Limited, a joint venture between Japan’s Toshiba Group and India’s JSW Group. He joined the Toshiba Group in 1994 and has, over the past three decades, focused on engineering and manufacturing of large equipment for the power sector, later taking on responsibilities in business development using new technology. In 2021, he took over as head of the new business unit in the power systems division of Toshiba ESS. On his appointment as MD, Toshiba JSW, Murata said, “In my new role at Toshiba JSW, I aim to bolster the Make in India and Export from India initiatives by expanding our business presence in overseas markets including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.” Murata is an engineering graduate from University of Tokyo.
Deepesh Nanda, President, Renewable, Tata Power and CEO and MD, TPREL
In November 2023, Deepesh Nanda was appointed president, renewables at Tata Power and MD and CEO of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL). Prior to joining the Tata Group, he led General Electric’s (GE) gas power business for South Asia, where he played a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives to deliver efficient and reliable power solutions. During his tenure at GE, he also managed the aero derivative business in Asia, overseeing the teams responsible for open cycle and combined cycle power plants. His leadership spanned various functions, including equipment supply, turnkey solutions and comprehensive servicing of gas turbines and associated power plant equipment. Aside from GE, he held key positions in companies such as Flowserve and Tyco, excelling in general management as a P&L leader, CEO and president for South Asia and Asia.
Nanda has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and production engineering from Annamalai University, and an MBA from Open University Business School in the UK.
Amit Paithankar, CEO, Waaree Energies
Amit Paithankar assumed the role of CEO at Waaree Energies in May 2024. Prior to this, he held several key positions, including that of managing director for South Asia at Emerson Electric Co. (India) Private Limited. On his appointment to the new position, Paithankar remarked, “With the solar industry evolving continually, this is an opportune moment for significant growth in the near future. Waaree Energies Limited has contributed to the clean energy landscape in India. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the company’s objective of providing sustainable energy solutions.” Paithankar has a doctorate in electrical engineering from University of Mumbai and an MBA from London School of Business and Finance.
Kandarp Patel, CEO, Adani Energy Solution Limited
Kandarp Patel, CEO of AESL, has over 20 years of experience in power trading, fuel management, legal and regulatory affairs, and commercial operations. He started his career as controller of accounts at the Gujarat Electricity Board, later managing the commercial aspects of the organisation. In 2004, he joined Adani Enterprises, where he established its power trading business. Patel holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Birla Viswakarma Mahavidhyalaya Engineering College and an MBA in finance from G.H. Patel PG Institute of Business Management.
Vineet Sikka, MD, Distribution, CESC Limited
Vineet Sikka was appointed MD, distribution at CESC Limited on May 8, 2024. During a career spanning over 34 years, Sikka has held several leadership positions and been responsible for various aspects of the power distribution industry. He began his career with Siemens Limited and subsequently worked at ABB Limited in senior management roles across various divisions including sales, marketing, channel management and operations. In his most recent position as CEO of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, he focused on improving power supply quality, reducing energy losses, optimising costs and enhancing customer satisfaction through digital initiatives. Sikka is an electrical engineering graduate from NIT Kurukshetra.
Brajesh Singh, MD, Generation, CESC Limited
Brajesh Singh was appointed MD, generation at CESC Limited in May 2024. With 37 years of experience in the power sector, he has expertise in plant operations, commissioning and overall operations. Prior to his current role, Singh worked at NTPC Limited and Tata Power Limited. He has a BTech in mechanical engineering from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College and an MTech in power generation technology from IIT Delhi.