Praveen Golash
Gurgaon
Summary
Accomplished energy-sector executive with over 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, new-venture incubation, and commercial operations. Currently serves as Associate Director in Boston Consulting Group's Energy practice, advising C-suite executives on green business initiatives. Previously, transformed Avaada Group into a diversified renewable energy platform and led significant business transformation programs at McKinsey & Company and KPMG, enhancing operational and financial performance.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Energy Practice
Boston Consulting Group
Gurgaon
07.2024 - Current
- Advised the C-suite of leading firms across the business lifecycle
- Facilitated development of green energy business through organic and inorganic growth, including organisation structuring, KRAs/KPIs design, SOPs for land and grid connectivity, REIA/Discom bidding, C&I customer acquisition, EPC strategy, and M&As.
- Project Cost optimisation using design, procurement and commercial levers delivering ~7-8% savings
- Design of Digital tools across areas like C&I Customer Acquisition CRM, Project Management, Land Acquisition, Power Edge, FDRE Optimiser, etc.
- Diversification strategy across energy transition value chain i.e. Pumped Hydro, Solar PV Manufacturing, BESS, Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol etc.
- Advised multilaterals on strategies to expand presence in Africa and SIDS nations, delivering value-added solutions that accelerated renewable energy adoption.
- Executed power purchase cost optimisation solutions for clients across sectors, enhancing financial outcomes and operational effectiveness.
AVP & Head of Strategy, Chairman's Office
Avaada Group
Delhi
05.2018 - 06.2024
- Functioned as the principal strategic advisor to the Chairman, driving strategy formulation, business planning, annual operating plan/review, and KPI/KRA design for CEOs and Heads of Department across the group.
- Led business conceptualisation, technology selection and DPR development for solar manufacturing; drove the group's win of the Government of India's PLI bid for Ingot-Wafer, Cell & Module manufacturing.
- Established Green Ammonia/Green Methanol business — conducted market assessments, engaged potential customers, assessed plant locations, leased land, appointed DPR consultants, evaluated port infrastructure, and advocated for policy with GoI and state government.
- Co-led equity-raising efforts for the group and directed policy advocacy with MNRE, SECI, CERC, CEA and think tanks (TERI, CEEW, Invest India); oversaw group social-media strategy.
- Diversified into solar PV manufacturing and green hydrogen, enhancing business portfolio.
- Earlier in tenure, led the 20+ person Project Management Group, delivering projects on time and within budget across the project portfolio.
- Implemented VCS carbon-credit monetisation, initiated O&M cost-optimisation program, and sponsored Land Acquisition Management System (LAMS).
- Formerly Welspun Energy
Consultant, Energy, Power & Natural Gas Practice
McKinsey & Company
Gurgaon
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Led transformation and EBITDA programs across power, chemicals, and metals sectors, including US$100M program at leading metals company and chloro-alkali transformation achieving Rs 100+ Cr in annualised savings.
- Evaluated solar power investment case resulting in signing of 20 MW PPA.
- Analyzed client needs to develop tailored strategic recommendations.
- Facilitated workshops to gather insights and foster collaborative solutions.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
Manager, Energy & Natural Resources Practice
KPMG Advisory Services
Gurgaon
02.2014 - 08.2016
Assistant General Manager, Head (Commercial)
Riverside Utilities
Bhubaneswar
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Managed commercial operations for 300,000-consumer power distribution franchise across 4 electrical divisions, overseeing new connections, metering, billing, collections, and customer care.
- Developed and implemented SAP-ISU and mobile-based meter reading systems; led change-management program with Women Self-Help Groups and field staff, facilitating transition to back-end billing system.
- Managed daily operations and ensured efficient service delivery to customers.
- Coordinated with department heads to align strategic goals and initiatives.
- Supervised staff training programs to enhance team performance and skills.
Manager, Energy & Natural Resources Practice
KPMG Advisory Services
Gurgaon
06.2006 - 12.2012
- Advanced from Analyst to Manager over a decade; led sector and cross-functional teams to deliver 25+ high-impact engagements for government ministries, State PSUs, DISCOMs, IPPs, renewable energy generators, and financial institutions.
- Managed bid structuring and process for a Rs 50,000 Cr Government of India power-distribution reform program; coordinated power-cost-optimisation workstream within an oil & gas EBITDA program exceeding Rs 500 Cr/year.
- Directed an AT&C loss-reduction diagnostic and pilot in Madhya Pradesh, achieving a reduction in losses from 82% to 27% within 3 months.
Education
MBA - Power Management
National Power Training Institute
Faridabad01-2006
B.E. - Mechanical
Madhav Institute of Technology & Science
Gwalior01-2003
Skills
- Power purchase optimization strategies
- Power purchase agreements
- Project management
- Strategy formulation
- Digital transformation
- Market assessment
- Customer relationship management
Awards Recognition
- Fastest growing practice (Renewable Energy) Award, BCG, 2025
- 'Emerging Young Leader' Award, Avaada, 2019
- Best Team Award, US$10M project win, KPMG, 2016
- 'KUDOS' Award for consistent performance, KPMG, 2011
Thought Leadership Publications
- Authored an article on land requirements for renewable energy projects, Solar Quarter, 2020
- Co-authored 'The Rising Sun', a thought-leadership perspective on Solar Power in India, 2011
- Authored 'Power Reforms in Distribution – Making Loss Reduction More Effective', Metering International, 2007
Core Leadership Competencies
- Corporate & Business-Unit Strategy
- New Business Incubation (0-to-1 Scale-up)
- Government & Regulatory Affairs / Policy Advocacy
- M&A, Equity Raising & Investor Relations
- EBITDA Improvement & Business Transformation
- P&L / Commercial Operations Management
- Cross-Functional & Large-Team Leadership
- Bid Strategy & Large-Scale Program Management
- Financial Modelling & Market Assessment
- Board & CXO-Level Stakeholder Management
Professional Highlights
- Conceived and drove Avaada Group's diversification into Solar PV Manufacturing and Green Hydrogen/Derivatives — new business lines built from concept to execution.
- Led the strategy and bid that secured Avaada's award under the Government of India's PLI scheme for Ingot-Wafer, Cell & Module Manufacturing.
- Core team member on Avaada Group's growth-equity raise.
- Delivered/oversaw transformation programs worth US$100M (metals) and US$15M (chloro-alkali) at McKinsey, plus a workstream contributing to Rs 500+ Cr/year profit enhancement at an oil & gas major (KPMG).
- Led bid structuring and evaluation for a nationwide Government of India power-distribution reform program at KPMG.
- Ran commercial operations — metering, billing, collections, customer care — for a 300,000-consumer power distribution franchise across 4 electrical divisions in Odisha as Head (Commercial), Riverside Utilities.
- Sustained advocacy engagement with MNRE, SECI, CERC, CEA and leading think tanks (TERI, CEEW, Invest India) on renewable energy policy.
Timeline
Associate Director, Energy Practice
Boston Consulting Group
07.2024 - Current
AVP & Head of Strategy, Chairman's Office
Avaada Group
05.2018 - 06.2024
Consultant, Energy, Power & Natural Gas Practice
McKinsey & Company
08.2016 - 05.2018
Manager, Energy & Natural Resources Practice
KPMG Advisory Services
02.2014 - 08.2016
Assistant General Manager, Head (Commercial)
Riverside Utilities
01.2013 - 01.2014
Manager, Energy & Natural Resources Practice
KPMG Advisory Services
06.2006 - 12.2012
MBA - Power Management
National Power Training Institute
B.E. - Mechanical
Madhav Institute of Technology & Science