India’s clean-energy shift is no longer an idea on paper. It is a rapid industrial push that is influenced by several leaders that decided to construct early, take risk, and support technologies before they were mainstream. They established massive wind farms when renewables were still viewed as questionable, established solar farms when imports dominated and compelled utilities to adopt cleaner grids way before climate objectives became newspaper headlines.
Each of these founders pursued their own course, but their impact is shared. They empowered local production, brought international investments and made India a step closer to a clean energy-powered future.
These seven figures remain at the front of this shift, as they are not trend followers, but are constructors that transformed the Indian power generation.
Tulsi Tanti had imagined the future of clean energy when most businesses had not thought about it. What started as a reaction to unstable power at his textile unit became Suzlon, one of the global leaders in wind-energy firms. He concentrated on developing the entire value chain in India, i.e. from designing of the turbine to its installation.
Tulsi advocated local employment, local sourcing and available technology for Indian developers. He was named as "Champion of the Earth" by the United Nations in 2009 for his entrepreneurial vision in combating climate change and a "Hero of the Environment" by TIME magazine. Under his leadership, Suzlon expanded across continents, setting up a global footprint while keeping its roots in India’s industrial ecosystem.
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Hitesh Doshi transformed Waaree from an instrumentation firm to one of the most powerful solar manufacturers in India. While he entered the sector, the demand for solar was increasing. However, the domestic production of the same was limited. Hitesh made early investments in large factories, automated lines and R&D, which allowed Waaree to rapidly grow to multi-gigawatt capacity.
He emphasized on quality modules designed for the Indian environment, and this made Waaree the choice of utility and rooftop projects. As the firm expanded, Hitesh ventured into EPC services and solar solutions, building an integrated clean-energy business rather than staying only a manufacturer. His choices contributed to reducing the reliance of the Indian market on the imported panels and empowered the local solar supply chain.
“My vision is to reduce carbon footprints and enhance the quality of life for both present and future generations,” says Hitesh.
Sumant Sinha ventured into the renewable-energy space when large-scale clean power had yet to take off in India. He established ReNew in 2011 with a clear vision: to create a high quality utility-scale portfolio that is underpinned by financial discipline. In the following 10 years, the company expanded to be one of the largest independent power producers in India, with major wind and solar projects across several states.
Sumant advocated transparency, global funding, and effective governance in an industry that required capital on a long-term basis. ReNew was the first Indian renewable-energy firm to be listed on NASDAQ, and that opened its doors to international investors and increased confidence in the Indian clean-energy market.
He has received several recognitions, including Forbes Global Sustainability Leader 2025, TIME100 Most Influential Climate Leaders 2024, 2022 USISPF Global Leadership Award, ET Energy’s Chief Executive of the Year 2022, and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017. Also, he is the first Indian business leader to be recognized as an SDG pioneer by the UN.
Vineet Mittal has developed Avaada to become a rapidly expanding energy corporation that aims at solar power, green hydrogen, and new clean technologies. He previously led Welspun Energy and carried that experience into Avaada, which he founded in 2017. From the beginning, he aimed for scale and integration, investing heavily in manufacturing, project development, and future-ready energy solutions.
Avaada’s mega solar projects, such as large parks in Rajasthan demonstrate Vineet’s push for high-capacity installations built with efficient engineering and strong execution. As the world prioritizes green hydrogen, he has guided the group on the path of developing electrolyser capacity and long-term export potential.
Avaada’s vision under his leadership is to achieve 11 GWp renewable capacities by 2026 and expand to 30 GWp by 2030
Also Read: ReNew to Invest ₹82,000 cr in Andhra Pradesh's Renewable Push
N. Chandrasekaran leads one of India’s most established energy companies at a time when the sector is changing rapidly. Tata Power under his leadership increased focus on solar and wind, EV charging and distributed energy systems. He has pushed the company to pivot from traditional assets to cleaner, modern, and more flexible models of power generation and distribution.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran’s vision for Tata Power is towards the 'Utility of the Future' through the attainment of ambitious renewable energy goals, including 50 percent of clean energy capacity, carbon neutrality by 2045, and water and zero waste neutrality by 2030. He is committed to develop and deliver innovative, smart, and clean energy solutions to its customers, while establishing sustainability and utilizing technology such as AI and IoT.
Gautam Adani has driven one of the fastest renewable expansions in India. Through Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), he has focused on building large solar and wind projects at scale. AGEL plans to reach 45 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
His approach relies on size, clear planning, and long-term assets. AGEL has built some of India’s largest solar parks and continues to add hybrid projects that improve grid stability. Adani is also exploring green hydrogen and other future clean fuels.
AGEL’s growth shows how major private investment can speed up renewable development when backed by strong financing and infrastructure.
Sunil Mathur leads Siemens Energy India as power systems shift toward cleaner and smarter networks. With long experience in the company, he understands both the technology and the operations behind this transition.
Siemens Energy India supplies turbines, grid equipment, transmission systems, and early hydrogen technology. Mathur focuses on strengthening India’s core power systems — the parts that keep renewable energy running reliably. This includes storage-ready grids, efficient transmission lines, and hybrid solutions.
As India moves toward round-the-clock clean energy, the company’s role is central, and Mathur keeps its work aligned with national needs.
India’s clean-energy progress is shaped by leaders who built the systems that support it. Their companies provide the hardware, networks, and technology that keep renewable power growing. By investing early and building strong supply chains, they helped make clean energy practical and profitable. Their work continues to guide India’s next steps in the energy transition.
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