Hi, I’m
ANANYA GUPTA
Head of Legal, Development & Operations, ACEN India
Gurgaon,HR
Summary
I build and run legal functions for renewable energy platforms operating in markets where the regulatory playbook is still being written.
As Head of Legal at ACEN India, I sit at the table where deals get made, not just papered. I advise leadership on transaction structuring, M&A and project finance, own regulatory affairs and government relations across current and past markets, and lead negotiations spanning power purchase agreements (PPAs), EPC contracts, land acquisition and corporate governance across solar, wind, BESS and hybrid energy projects. My experience spans seven markets in total: India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, Dubai and Australia.
What I bring isn't just legal expertise. It's the judgment to translate contract law, compliance and risk management into decisions the business can act on, backed by data-driven legal strategy and grounded in a foundation that includes being awarded Best Student of the Passing Out Batch in law school.
Off the clock: guitar, animal shelter volunteering, and mentoring the next generation of energy transition and infrastructure lawyers.
Let's talk energy transition, clean energy infrastructure, cross-border regulatory strategy, or building legal functions built for scale.
Overview
9
years of professional experience
5
Certification
Work History
ACEN IndiaGurgaon, HR
Head of Legal
10.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Spearheading the legal function of UPC Renewables (now ACEN | India), providing strategic counsel on corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters across India and emerging markets.
- Instrumental in stabilizing the company’s existing portfolio and supporting its expansion from a 500 MW operating base to an over 2 GW development pipeline.
- Leading negotiations and execution of high-value commercial contracts, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts, and Share Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreements (SSHA).
- Advising on and structuring multiple mergers and acquisitions, project finance transactions, and equity down-sell initiatives to optimize capital deployment and corporate growth.
- Guiding management on intricate legal, contractual, and regulatory issues while overseeing litigation strategy and dispute resolution across various jurisdictions.
- Driving stakeholder alignment by collaborating with global joint venture partners, lenders, and regulatory bodies to ensure effective governance, risk mitigation, and compliance.
- Leading a high-performing legal team, fostering efficiency, accountability, and business-focused legal solutions tailored to dynamic renewable energy projects.
RADIANCE RENEWABLES
MANAGER LEGAL
04.2023 - 10.2023
Job overview
- Undertaking M&A activities for the company to aid the inorganic growth of the company.
- Handling mezzanine financing.
- Closing high-value commercial contracts and structuring major deals.
- Stabilizing a recently acquired portfolio company.
- Handing ongoing litigations and disputes of the company.
- Supporting different verticals of the company in their day-to-day functioning.
- Revising company policies and undertaking annual trainings.
- Implementing a contract management system and a database management system.
RADIANCE RENEWABLES
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
03.2022 - 04.2023
VIBRANT ENERGY
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
01.2021 - 04.2022
Job overview
- Collaborated in the restructuring of business operations to align with Macquarie Group's standards.
- Executed project finance initiatives to facilitate business growth and development.
- Developed and enforced global compliance policies addressing anti-corruption, bribery, data privacy, and confidentiality.
- Conducted thorough vetting and negotiation of contracts including Power Purchase Agreements, Energy Supply Agreements, and procurement contracts.
- Played a key role in structuring business deals through financial modeling, risk assessment, and contract development.
- Ensured commercial contracting and legal compliance across all business activities.
CLEANMAX SOLAR
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
10.2019 - 01.2021
Job overview
- Led drafting and negotiation of various contracts including Power Purchase Agreements, EPC contracts, global procurement contracts, master service agreements, purchase orders, term sheets, and financing agreements.
- Orchestrated the acquisition of two private limited companies to drive business expansion.
- Managed end-to-end processes for land acquisition, including due diligence, financing, and mortgaging.
- Structured transactions for the sale of renewable energy attributes to a leading multinational corporation.
- Handled litigations pertaining to labor issues, contractual disputes, arbitrations, and land conflicts.
- Oversaw IPR protection and trademark filing initiatives.
CLEANMAX SOLAR
SENIOR LEGAL EXECUTIVE
02.2019 - 10.2019
VGB ASSOCIATES
ASSOCIATE- CORPORATE LITIGATION
12.2017 - 01.2019
Job overview
- Represented client in litigation proceedings at Karnataka High Court, Debt Recovery Tribunal, National Company Law Tribunal, and Labour Courts, managing cases including cheque bounce and consumer disputes.
- Led commercial arbitrations, contributing to successful outcomes.
- Developed a wide range of commercial contracts, including MoA, AoA, shareholders agreements, share purchase agreements, non-disclosure agreements, incorporation documents, domestic and overseas joint venture agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
- Provided expert guidance on company and LLP incorporation, corporate restructuring, and legal compliance across diverse clientele, from startups to multinational corporations.
- Managed a complex white-collar crime case spanning 22 years, securing favorable relief for the client.
TRANS INDIA LAW ASSOCIATES
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
07.2017 - 12.2017
Job overview
- Provided expert advice to clients on land acquisition, mortgaging, and conveyancing matters.
- Conducted thorough land due diligence for prominent players in the energy sector, such as Suzlon and Axis Energy.
- Managed compliance efforts for clients regarding financing covenants with IREDA.
- Facilitated communication and coordination with legal counsels from lending institutions, including Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Dhir & Dhir Associates.
Education
Dr. RMLA University
M.A. from Economics
01.2023
KLE Society's Law College
B.A. LL.B.
01.2017
HAL School Korwa
Science Stream
01.2012
Skills
- Commercial Contracts
- Policy & Compliance
- Project Financing
- Deal Structuring
- Renewable Energy & Projects
- Microsoft Office
- Power BI
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Manupatra & SCC Online
- Exiger
Certification
- White Collar & Anti-Corruption Laws in India - International Business Intelligence
- Handling Cyber Security Breach Incidents - Data Security Council of India
- Contract Drafting and Legal Document Writing - British Legal Centre
- Medication Techniques - V.M. Salgaocar College of Law
Languages
English
Hindi
Kannada
French
Jurisdictional Experience
- India
- Singapore
- Dubai
- Australia
Project Experience
- Solar
- Wind
- Hybrid
- FDRE
Academic Positions
- Indian National Bar Association, Student Executive Committee Member, 2014-07-01, 2017-07-01
- The Career Guidance Cell, Student Head, 2014-04-01, 2017-07-01
- International Relations Office, Student Head, 2016-09-01, 2017-07-01
Technical Qualifications
- Microsoft Office
- Power BI
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Manupatra & SCC Online
- Exiger
Hobbies and Interests
- Percussionist - Cajon and Djembe
- Guitarist & Ukelele player
- Backyard Gardening
- Non-fiction reader
- Holistic Healing - Reiki
Timeline
Head of Legal
ACEN India
10.2023 - Current
MANAGER LEGAL
RADIANCE RENEWABLES
04.2023 - 10.2023
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
RADIANCE RENEWABLES
03.2022 - 04.2023
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
VIBRANT ENERGY
01.2021 - 04.2022
ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGAL
CLEANMAX SOLAR
10.2019 - 01.2021
SENIOR LEGAL EXECUTIVE
CLEANMAX SOLAR
02.2019 - 10.2019
ASSOCIATE- CORPORATE LITIGATION
VGB ASSOCIATES
12.2017 - 01.2019
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
TRANS INDIA LAW ASSOCIATES
07.2017 - 12.2017
Dr. RMLA University
M.A. from Economics
KLE Society's Law College
B.A. LL.B.
HAL School Korwa
Science Stream