Q: Can you highlight some of the most significant milestones in your career that have influenced your leadership and operational strategies prior to joining Gensol Engineering?
Binaya Bhusan Panda: Several milestones have significantly shaped my leadership and operational strategies. At Crompton Greaves Ltd, I rose to the position of Regional Head, where I successfully led numerous projects by leveraging strategic planning and execution skills, fostering my ability to manage teams and drive impactful outcomes in a competitive industrial environment. Transitioning to LANCO, I took on a leadership role in project management, focusing on thermal power plants, which honed my expertise in managing large-scale infrastructure projects and achieving operational excellence under challenging conditions. My journey into the renewable energy sector began with Welspun, marking a pivotal shift as I gained valuable insights into renewable project development and execution, reinforcing my commitment to sustainable energy.
At the Aditya Birla Group, I embraced diverse roles that enriched my strategic perspective across various portfolios. As Project Head for Renewable Energy, I led transformative renewable initiatives, aligning with the group’s sustainability agenda. In the cement sector, I drove energy efficiency and renewable integration, contributing to operational improvements. As Head of the Business Planning and Strategy Cell for Renewables, I developed strategic roadmaps that combined operational insights with long-term growth plans. Alongside these roles, I prioritized continuous learning, earning credentials from prestigious institutions such as Utkal, IIMS, HEC Paris, UCI, IIMA, EGADE, LBS, Howarh, and ISB, which deepened my strategic thinking and leadership acumen.
Passionate about mentorship, I have delivered sessions at leading B-Schools and universities, inspiring future leaders in energy and business strategy. Additionally, my enthusiasm for writing has led me to author many books focused on different fields, showcasing my dedication to sustainability and innovation.
These milestones collectively prepared me for my current role as COO of Gensol Engineering, where I apply my extensive experience to drive impactful growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Q: What factors motivated you, and how do you see the vision aligning with your own professional goals?
Binaya Bhusan Panda: The primary factors that motivated me throughout my career have been a deep-seated passion for innovation, a commitment to sustainability, and a drive to make a meaningful impact in the energy sector. Transitioning from thermal power to renewable energy, I saw an opportunity to contribute to a global movement that aligns with my values—leveraging technology to create sustainable solutions for the future. This alignment between personal values and professional opportunities has been a powerful motivator.
At every stage of my journey, I sought roles that challenged me intellectually and allowed me to grow. My time at Crompton Greaves, LANCO, and Welspun gave me insights into diverse energy sectors, while my strategic roles at Aditya Birla Group allowed me to see the bigger picture—how organizations can integrate sustainability into their core operations. The leadership exposure and strategic responsibilities I’ve had have reinforced my belief in the importance of vision-driven growth, collaboration, and agility in achieving long-term success.
Joining Gensol Engineering as COO was a natural progression that aligned seamlessly with my professional goals. Gensol’s vision to lead the renewable energy transition, innovate at scale, and execute with precision resonates with my aspirations of driving transformative change. With a target of executing 2.5-3 GW annually and building a robust 3-4 GW order book, Gensol offers a platform where I can apply my expertise in renewable energy, strategy, and leadership to create measurable impact.
Moreover, my personal goals—whether it’s mentoring the next generation of leaders, contributing thought leadership through writing, or promoting green energy innovations—complement Gensol’s mission. I see my role not just as a leader but as a catalyst, driving sustainable energy solutions that make a tangible difference. My professional journey and Gensol’s forward-looking vision are deeply aligned, creating a synergy that inspires me to push boundaries and contribute to a better, greener future.
Q: As Chief Operating Officer, what are your top priorities for driving operational excellence and business growth for Nation?
Binaya Bhusan Panda: As Chief Operating Officer, my top priorities are focused on driving operational excellence and contributing to the nation’s sustainable growth. A key focus is accelerating the deployment of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and hybrid solutions, to expand India’s energy capacity and support its net-zero ambitions.
Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven analytics and IoT, I aim to enhance project efficiency, optimize performance, and establish India as a global leader in innovative energy solutions. Workforce development is another critical priority, with a focus on equipping teams with skills in emerging areas like green hydrogen, floating solar, and energy storage, ensuring we build a future-ready talent pool.
Equally important is fostering sustainability and social impact by promoting women’s empowerment, supporting local communities, and advancing environmentally responsible practices. By strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, including government bodies, regulators, and industry partners, I seek to create scalable solutions that drive renewable energy growth. These efforts not only enhance energy security but also contribute to economic growth by providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable power. Through these priorities, I aim to position Gensol as a pivotal player in India’s renewable energy transition while fostering a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive future for the nation.
Q: How do you plan to leverage your prior experiences to improve operational efficiency and scalability?
Binaya Bhusan Panda: Leveraging my prior experiences, I plan to drive operational efficiency and scalability by integrating strategic insights, best practices, and innovative approaches gained throughout my career. At Crompton Greaves, my experience as Regional Head taught me the importance of meticulous planning and execution in managing large-scale operations. At LANCO, leading thermal power projects honed my ability to navigate complex challenges, ensuring timely delivery and resource optimization, lessons that are directly applicable to renewable energy projects.
My tenure at Aditya Birla Group exposed me to diverse portfolios, including renewable energy, cement, and business strategy, where I developed a holistic understanding of operational alignment with organizational goals. These roles enhanced my capability to streamline processes, implement data-driven decision-making, and foster cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, my exposure to floating solar and large-scale renewable projects at Welspun strengthened my expertise in executing innovative, technically challenging solutions efficiently.
To improve scalability, I intend to adopt advanced technologies, monitor real-time operations, and ensure seamless integration of renewables into existing systems. My leadership experience in navigating regulatory landscapes and stakeholder management will help streamline approvals and reduce bottlenecks, accelerating project execution timelines.
Furthermore, my commitment to workforce development, gained through mentoring and training teams, ensures that operational excellence is driven not only by processes but also by empowered and skilled personnel. By combining these experiences with a clear focus on sustainability and innovation, I aim to enhance Gensol’s operational capabilities, scaling its impact while delivering consistent value to clients and contributing to the renewable energy transition.
Q: What innovative strategies or improvements do you intend to introduce in your role to support the long-term goals, especially in the renewable energy sector?
Binaya Bhusan Panda: I intend to introduce innovative strategies and improvements that align with long-term goals in the renewable energy sector, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and sustainability.
First, I plan to integrate advanced digital technologies, to optimize project management, asset performance, and supply chain transparency. These technologies can enhance predictive maintenance, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime, thereby maximizing the lifecycle value of renewable assets.
Second, I aim to implement modular and scalable project execution models, particularly for solar and hybrid energy systems, to accelerate deployment timelines and adapt to varying project sizes. This approach ensures flexibility and efficiency in addressing the dynamic needs of clients and markets.
Third, my focus will be on pioneering new areas like green hydrogen and floating solar projects. By investing in research and development and forging partnerships with technology providers and research institutions, I intend as a leader in these emerging technologies, driving innovation and opening new revenue streams.
Fourth, I plan to enhance workforce development through targeted training programs in cutting-edge renewable technologies. Empowering teams with the latest skills and knowledge not only ensures operational excellence but also fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Lastly, I aim to strengthen stakeholder collaboration, including partnerships with government bodies, regulators, and industry leaders, to create frameworks that streamline approvals, reduce risks, and foster a conducive environment for renewable energy expansion.
By focusing on these strategies, I intend to drive Gensol’s vision of becoming a key player in India’s renewable energy transition while supporting the nation’s sustainability goals and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.