leaderspeak
Powering Growth With Ingenuity
Kandarp Patel, CEO of Adani Energy Solutions, opens up about his career, work-life balance and leadership mantra.
Arpita Vadgama
Kandarp Patel started his career with the Gujarat Electricity Board as Controller of Accounts. During his tenure there, he developed legal acumen in regulatory bylaws, which equipped him to resolve complex issues and disputes. In 2004, he joined Adani Enterprises and laid a strong foundation for the power trading business. From 2009 onwards, he led business development for Adani Power and successfully mandated the execution of Power Purchase Agreements for about 10,000+ MW with various state utilities in India and Bangladesh.
With his multi-faceted experience in the areas of power trading, fuel management, legal and regulatory and commercial aspects of the power business besides managing a complex distribution utility in Mumbai, Mr Patel is now helming the affairs as CEO at Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Birla Viswakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College and an MBA in Finance from GH Patel PG Institute of Business Management. He spoke to a-connect about completing two decades at Adani, important life lessons and more.
In December 2024, you complete two decades with the Adani Group. Tell us about your journey.
It’s been fabulous, to say the least. My first job was in Gujarat Electricity Board as Controller of Accounts and subsequently I managed the commercial aspects. I remember that in my last six months there, I felt that I drifted into a comfort zone. This was not the time in my career where I should have become comfortable and so I decided to move on. Immediately, I decided to join Adani in Delhi – that too was a conscious decision as I wanted to move out of Vadodara. Around the same time that I joined, in 2004, Adani became the first private company to get into power trading. I didn’t give it much thought but in hindsight, it was the chance of a lifetime. I was in the right place at the right time. From zero investment to becoming one of the biggest verticals in the company – I have had the golden opportunity to witness and participate in the evolution of Adani’s energy business. This includes power trading, thermal power generation, transmission, business development of Adani Green, distribution in Mumbai and now at AESL I look at distribution, transmission, smart metering and C&I solutions platform. Even if I was given a free hand and all the resources in the world to plan my career, I would not have been able to design it so impeccably!
Mr Patel with Chairman Gautam Adani
According to you, what makes the Adani Group exclusive? What has your experience been like working with the promoters here?
I have never worked with any other corporate house but from whatever I have seen, the difference is simple – there is a purpose driving this group. And I don’t see the strength of that purpose getting diluted anytime soon. In fact, the intensity is only increasing day-by-day. Before 2006, we had no experience of setting up a power plant, but we directly set up the country’s biggest. The first time we created a transmission line, it was also the largest and most complex HVDC project. Take Kamuthi for instance – it is the largest single location solar project in India. Any corporate would approach a new field gradually but here, once we are convinced of a business case, we have the courage to pursue it at full throttle.
Working with the promoters here is like learning from your favourite teacher. Of course, there is pressure, but it makes you a better person and professional. For example, when we took over the Mumbai electricity distribution company, there were a lot of problems with labour unions and local politicians and as a result, consumer services were not up to the mark. I was advised by the team on ground not to get involved directly – they meant well. Soon after, I had the opportunity to meet Gautam bhai and he said that if there is a problem, you should be there in the middle of it, in thick of it. Traditional leaders don’t mingle with union leaders or local politicians. That is the conventional way of doing things but that leads to conventional results. His advice paid a huge return for us.
What motivates and drives you to work passionately every day?
Every day when we hear transformational stories from the ground, it gives us satisfaction and keeps us motivated. Of course, there is a lot that needs to be done, and we are steadily moving in the direction. I foresee the Adani Foundation as a knowledge institute that creates sustainable development models. Our goals are clear. By 2026, we want to be recognised as a transformational changemaker in the country. By 2030, we want to be globally recognised as the number one Indian Foundation for sustainable impact and scale.
Mr Patel with his family
People often look back at a “turning point” in life. What would this be for you?
Professionally, joining the Adani Group was the ultimate turning point. If I think personally, getting my first job was a turning point because I really struggled. I was not a very bright student but when I completed my engineering, I thought that I had done something in life. I was wrong. So, when I landed my first job, I took it very seriously. Another turning point in life was when I lost a dearest friend during a vacation in 2015. It made me realize that hardly anything is in our control. We should use the time we have optimally and help as many people as possible.
What keeps you motivated after such a long and illustrious career? How do you strike the elusive work-life balance?
When you see that there is an opportunity and you are in a position to capture it, that continues to drive you. The hunger doesn’t die. My idea is that if you like what you are doing, there is automatically a balance. Yes, don’t run away from your social responsibilities but there has to be a mutual understanding within the family. Mine is a nuclear family. My son completed his under graduation 6 months ago in the US. My daughter is in 12th standard and is interested in the field of design so she is busy preparing her portfolio and my wife is busy assisting her. They were always with me wherever I was working – be it Ahmedabad, Delhi or Mumbai. I don’t think it’s efficient to live away from your family for a long time because you cannot focus 100% on work. I also thought that it was important that my family got exposure to different cities, cultures and people.
Mr Patel with his wife and daughter
How do you keep your team motivated? What are the leadership principles that you swear by?
It is important that the team feels a sense of purpose and pride. I believe that managing a team is very simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. As a leader, you should have the ability to sacrifice your time, your comfort and personal goals. You should be able to own their shortcomings or undesired results. You should help them to do their job by organizing all the resources they require and help them progress in their professional life. I also think that treating them as a friend or family member goes a long way. It keeps the informal channel of communication open so that the environment is not heavy. People should be able to talk to each other freely. This helps in getting genuine feedback which you don’t often get from formal channels.
Mr Patel with his wife and son
What advice would you give young professionals?
There is no shortcut to hard work in life. Also, there is no profession or work or discipline or business that is bad or good. Always focus on what is in your control and be prepared for any eventuality. Constantly work on developing your competencies. I also think that at a young age, people should not restrict themselves – like wanting to stay in a particular geography or only work for a particular type or size of company.
quick talk
Activities you enjoy doing in your spare time
Solve sudoku, meet friends, listen to music and sleep!
All-time favourite movie
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Favourite cuisine/restaurant
I’m not a foodie. My definition of good food is simple – it should be available immediately and there should be no need to apply mind. So, Gujarati thali is ideal – available quickly and plenty of items in a platter ! I do like to cook my own breakfast daily.
Fitness routine that you swear by
I focus on cardio to keep my weight in check. I like to cycle, run, walk and do stair-stepper workouts.
Favourite place in the world
I enjoy travelling and any destination which is a beachfront is good for me. Recently two of my friends and I travelled to Vietnam with our families and stayed on this beautiful island called Phu Quoc.