Dhanya Rajeswaran serves as the global vice-president and country managing director for India at Fluence, overseeing the Global Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, the company’s largest hub. She drives innovation, strengthens regional brand presence and plays a key role in Fluence’s global transformation. With extensive leadership experience in HR and strategy across industries, including renowned companies such as Accenture, Wipro and Titan, Dhanya fosters inclusive workplaces, scales businesses and champions diversity. She is also an advisory board member for India Energy Storage Alliance.
According to Dhanya, India’s power sector stands at a transformative juncture, combining rapid growth with significant opportunities and challenges. The country is the third-largest producer and consumer of electricity globally, with an installed capacity of 452 GW as of October 2024. Renewables, at 203 GW, contribute over 46 per cent of this capacity. This transformation is driven by strong policy support, such as the production-linked incentive schemes and strategic investments in transmission infrastructure and renewable integration. Key policy initiatives have catalysed investment and innovation. The sector also benefits from 100 per cent FDI in power, making India an attractive destination for global players.
However, challenges persist. India faces a growing demand surge, projected to reach a peak of 458 GW by 2032, necessitating a rapid scaling of renewable energy and storage solutions. Ensuring grid stability and expanding energy storage capacity are critical to bridging this energy gap. Hybrid solar and wind projects paired with energy storage present promising solutions.
Dhanya’s most memorable and defining assignment has been her role in leading the people strategy for APAC at Fluence, which shaped her understanding of what it takes to foster sustainable growth and innovation in rapidly evolving markets. This position allowed her to spearhead critical people initiatives to enable scaling of operations in established markets such as Australia and the Philippines and facilitating new market entries in Taiwan. She was also instrumental in supporting the set-up of strategic hubs such as Singapore, ensuring robust foundations for growth across the region.
Dhanya’s management style is a blend of leading with strategic vision, agility, empathy and driving results by empowering the team. She demonstrates resilience and adaptability, skilfully managing change and guiding the organisation through uncertainties. Her ability to pivot strategies quickly ensures that the company remains agile and innovative. She inspires others by staying committed to a purpose-driven approach. People-centric at her core, she focuses on identifying and nurturing potential in others, leading with passion and versatility. Her ability to balance high standards with compassion and forward-thinking leadership makes her a transformative and inspiring leader.