BiographyLt Col Monish Ahuja (Retd) is spearheading the biomass movement in India with his ongoing efforts of harnessing the agro residue potential in India. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. He is a Post Graduate (M.Tech) in Nuclear Technology from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering from JNU in 2002, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) from JNU in 1994. In a short span with the understanding of the Biomass IPPs and Biomass Supply Chain Management, he set up the first of its kind in India, biomass fuel aggregation and supply company Punjab Renewable Energy Systems Private Limited (PRESPL). The company has grown from a start up to INR 180 Million Turnover Company in 5xYears time and having closed its first round of PE investment from Zurich based Impact PE- responsibility in 2013. Lt Col Monish Ahuja (Retd) is known in the Biomass fraternity as a dedicated and knowledgeable leader. He has been advocating the barriers faced by Biomass based Project Developers at various seminars and forums and has been instrumental in impressing MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources, India) towards the cause of biomass-based industry in India. Lt Col Monish Ahuja (Retd) has been recognized with several eminent awards, including:
a) 2013- Recognized with the Biomass Energy Man of the Year Award by Renewable World, part of Fortune Media Group.
b) 2014- Udyog Ratan Award by Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi for work in the rural parts of the country, which is a direct impact on the rural economy and is making a sizeable impact in many parts of the country.
c) 2015-
PRESPL has been awarded as Most Innovative Company in Renewable Sector by Power Today Magazine and the selection has been done by PricewaterHouseCoopers.
Best Paper Award at International Conference on Innovations & IPR organized by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) at New Delhi.
Best Poster Award in Brussels Sustainability Development Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
d) 2016- Leading RE Manufacturers Held by UBM Group, Biomass Category under Renewable Energy India Awards 2016 selection by Ernst & Young.
e) 2017- 50 Most Impactful Green Leaders (Global Listing) by World Sustainability Congress a Not-For-Profit Organization advocating Sustainable Leadership received on 18 Feb 2017.
f) 2018 Excellence in Bio Energy - Renewable Energy India Awards 2018 at UBM Event.