Mahindra Susten Names Avinash Rao as MD & CEO

Mahindra Susten, the renewable energy platform of the Mahindra Group, has appointed Avinash Rao as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 24, 2025.

Rao will be responsible for driving the company’s growth strategy and expanding its portfolio across solar, wind, hybrid and commercial & industrial (C&I) solutions, besides new areas such as energy storage and integrated clean energy offerings.

Mahindra Susten currently has over 1.6 GW of operational capacity and nearly 3.6 GW under development. The company has also executed more than 4 GW of projects under its EPC arm.

Shah Responds 

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, said:
"At Mahindra, sustainability and climate action are core to our purpose, and Susten plays a pivotal role in advancing this vision. Avinash’s deep expertise across the energy value chain will help accelerate our transition to a cleaner energy future while creating long-term stakeholder value."

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), a key investor in Mahindra Susten, also welcomed the appointment.
Bruce Crane, Executive Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific at OTPP, said: “We congratulate Avinash Rao on his appointment and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mahindra Susten, which has established itself as a key player in India’s renewable energy sector.”

Experience 

Rao brings close to three decades of experience across conventional and renewable energy, transmission, and investment platforms. He has previously held leadership roles at Sustainable Energy Infra Trust (SEIT), Edelweiss Alternatives-backed Sekura India Management, and CLP India