SWELECT Energy Systems Appoints Dr. Arulkumar Shanmugasundaram as CEO and MD
SWELECT Energy Systems has appointed Dr. Arulkumar Shanmugasundaram as its new CEO and MD, with R. Chellappan transitioning to the role of Vice Chairman to guide the company’s next growth phase in solar manufacturing, EPC, and IPP.
September 12, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
R. Chellappan will assume the role of Vice Chairman, continuing to provide strategic guidance and ensuring that SWELECT's core values, integrity, and culture remain at the heart of its mission, the company said in a statement.
Dr. Arul brings over 30 years of global experience spanning technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Most recently, he served as Executive Director (Operations) at Ayana Renewable Power, where he spearheaded business development, engineering, technology, IT, and asset management. Under his leadership, Ayana built a portfolio of 5 GW, including over 2.5 GW of operating assets, before its acquisition in a USD 2.3 billion deal by NTPC Green and ONGC Green.
Prior to this, Dr. Arul spent seven years as Chief Operating Officer at Tata Power Solar Systems, where he led the company's transformation into a leading EPC solutions provider across utility-scale, rooftop and pump-based solar projects. His career began at Applied Materials in Silicon Valley, where, for over 15 years, he contributed to semiconductor equipment development and helped establish a thin-film a-Si production line in India.
An alumnus of IIT Madras, Dr. Arul earned his Master's and Ph.D. from Cornell University, USA. His combination of academic excellence and extensive industry expertise uniquely positions him to lead SWELECT into its next phase of growth, the company stated.
Welcoming the new leadership, R. Chellappan, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Arul to SWELECT. His global experience, proven leadership, and passion for renewable energy will be invaluable as we strengthen SWELECT into a powerhouse across Solar Manufacturing, EPC and IPP. This reflects our commitment to continuity with progress, anchoring our legacy while embracing the future of clean energy.”
Accepting his new role, Dr. Arul, said, “It is a privilege and a huge responsibility to be the custodian of the legacy Chellappan has built. SWELECT has a strong financial base, high-quality assets, and deep customer trust. With a proven market leadership for two decades in UPS under the Numeric brand, SWELECT is fully geared to provide the reliable BESS systems the renewable energy industry needs. I look forward to driving profitable business growth while addressing the interests of all stakeholders—customers, employees, and investors.”
As part of its strategic roadmap for 2027, SWELECT aims to achieve over 1 GW of portfolio in IPP projects and another around 1 GW in EPC projects. The company also aims to ramp up module manufacturing to 2 GW and enter into solar cell manufacturing.
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