Somesh Kumar's Pioneering Leadership in India's Clean Energy Transition
Key Ideas
- Somesh Kumar has over two decades of experience in power sector reforms and energy transition, focusing on areas like grid integration of renewable energy and electric vehicles.
- He has played a key role in promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies like battery energy storage systems and renewable energy financing in India.
- Kumar's strategic consultancy has been instrumental in large-scale BESS projects under the Solar Energy Corporation of India and in the clean energy transition of states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
- He emphasizes the importance of strengthening supply chains, implementing circular economy initiatives, and innovative financing to drive India's energy transition towards cleaner sources.
Somesh Kumar, the leader of the power & utilities practice at EY India LLP, is a prominent figure in India's clean energy transition landscape. With a rich background in power sector reforms and energy transition spanning over two decades, Kumar has been at the forefront of driving changes in the industry. His work focuses on critical areas such as grid integration of renewable energy, electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems, renewable energy financing, and energy efficiency deployment.
Kumar's efforts have been instrumental in promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems, highlighting the shift towards transportation electrification and energy resilience. His collaboration with organizations like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Group underscores his commitment to sustainable energy practices and circular economy initiatives.
One of Kumar's notable contributions has been in the field of green hydrogen, decarbonisation, and accelerating the clean energy transition in India. His strategic consultancy services have played a crucial role in advancing large-scale BESS projects and guiding the clean energy transition strategies of states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
According to Kumar, while India is moving towards cleaner energy sources with a focus on renewables and nuclear energy, challenges such as grid integration, financial stress on discoms, and high costs of energy storage still persist. He emphasizes the need for strengthening supply chains, implementing circular economy practices, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to reduce import dependency and drive sustainable investments.
Kumar's work with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and various state governments reflects his commitment to creating an enabling ecosystem for clean energy adoption. His professional style is characterized by values like team collaboration, client focus, quality delivery, accountability, and continuous learning, which have been instrumental in shaping his successful leadership in the industry.
Topics
Utilities
Renewable Energy
Clean Energy
Sustainability
Electric Vehicles
Energy Transition
Power Sector
Policy Guidance
Strategic Consultancy
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