Contributors

Scott Sklar

 Scott Sklar has led The Stella Group, Ltd., strategic technology optimization and policy firm for clean distributed energy users and companies, with a focus on system standardization,modularity, and web-enabled diagnostics for the past twelve years. Scott Sklar is an Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University teaching a unique multidisciplinary sustainable energy course, and co-teaching an International Energy Security course at The American University. 

Sean Purdie

Sean Purdie is the Managing Partner for Power in the Asia Pacific region within ERM, based in Hong Kong. He joined ERM in March 2013 and is responsible for power sector strategic development, client relationships and business growth, while providing high level project and sector review and inputs. He maintains a strong power sector network across the region regarding projects, markets and personnel.

Prior to joining ERM he was Development Director Power for Parsons Brinckerhoff (owned by Balfour Beatty) in Asia (joining them in June 2011).

From July 2007 until May 2011 he was Senior Vice President at Marubeni Asian Power in Hong Kong, the IPP development arm of Marubeni Corporation.

Sean moved to Asia in June 2000 as Vice President – Business Development for Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) Power, a leading power sector consulting company.

Senthilkumar Pandi

Senthilkumar Pandi having 18 years of experience in Digital Data management and Information Management with vast experience in executing large-scale projects in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical Industries. He has strong, first-generation expertise in intelligent plant design technology and software tools such as Hexagon Smart Suite and Aveva Suite of softwares, blended with experience in project execution systems in world-class companies in Energy Sector. His insight and expertise are helping companies to choose right solution to realize their ambitious Digital Transformation objectives.

Shafiqul Alam

Shafiqul Alam is IEEFA’s Energy Finance Analyst for Bangladesh. He has more than a decade of experience in the energy and climate change sectors. His interest primarily centers on renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate finance, and policy instruments to spearhead the clean energy transition. 

Prior to joining IEEFA, he worked with international development agencies and private sector organizations across the broad spectrum of energy transition and climate change mitigation in various capacities. Among other things, he led to the formulation of national clean energy regulations, implemented award-winning climate change mitigation projects under the Clean Development Mechanism, conducted sectoral and organizational development needs assessments to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. He also carried out exploratory research on carbon pricing instruments. 

In 2018, he received the prestigious International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. He is also a recipient of the Clean Energy Fellowship of the National Bureau of Asian Research, USA.  

Shamim Razavi and Bintang Hidayanto

Shamim Razavi, Of Counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, and Bintang Hidayanto, Associate at Susandarini & Partners in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia. Razavi has extensive experience advising foreign investors in Indonesia. His industry expertise includes on the acquisition of oil, gas and mining assets and the establishment of joint ventures with Indonesian entities, both private and state-owned. While, Bintang’s practice focuses on projects, energy, including oil and gas and mining, and general corporate matters.

Shantanu Srivastava and Tanya Rana

Shantanu Srivastava is responsible for leading the sustainable finance and climate risk initiatives at IEEFA South Asia. He specializes in the financing, policy, and technology aspects of the Indian electricity market.

Shantanu's primary objective is to contribute to the establishment of a strong sustainable finance ecosystem in the region. He also aims to provide guidance to financial regulators and intermediaries on how to address climate risks and leverage the opportunities presented by the energy transition. Additionally, Shantanu's work involves evaluating listed companies in the Indian energy sector, examining their transition strategies, assessing their financing requirements, and analyzing their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) profiles. 

Shantanu possesses prior experience in corporate finance and strategy consulting, having collaborated with clients in various industries based in North America and the Middle East. A CFA charter holder, he holds an MBA degree in finance from IMT and an engineering degree from NMIMS University.

Tanya Rana is an Energy Analyst at IEEFA, where she concentrates on India's energy transition, encompassing the decarbonization of industries and the power sector. Her efforts are committed to effectively navigating the complexities associated with transitioning toward a net-zero future.

Previously, during her internship at AuctusESG, Tanya developed a profound understanding of major developments in ESG, Sustainable Finance, and Climate Risk. Engaging in extensive research and reading valuable reports, she gained insights into the evolving landscape of environmental, social, and governance considerations.

Following her graduation, she spent two years with Ernst and Young (EY) Global Delivery Services in its Assurance vertical, focusing on negotiating and communicating with overseas clients, primarily based in France.

Transitioning from her role as an Auditor at EY, Tanya decided to contribute to the French education sector. In 2020, the French Ministry of Education provided her with the opportunity to serve as an English Language Faculty in Public High Schools in France.

Tanya holds a Bachelor’s degree in the field of commerce from the University of Delhi and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Policy from the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, India.

Sharad Somani

Sharad is the Asia Pacific head of Infrastructure for KPMG. With over 20 years of experience in power and utilities sector covering the entire lifecycle of projects from conceptualization to operations, Sharda brings in-depth experience of working with different stakeholders including governments, regulatory agencies, developers, financial institutions and technology providers. He has been focused on leveraging technology for better infrastructure delivery as well structuring innovative financing for infrastructure sector. Energy transition and climate change are key parts of his focus as clients navigate the environment and sustainability challenges.

Sharad has advised various government and private sector clients in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. Sharad’s main thrust has been on privatization / PPP advisory, fund raising and project implementation and operational optimization for power, renewable energy, water, waste management, and technology projects in the region.

Some of the key projects he has successfully advised on include 2GW of aggregate solar IPPs in Dubai; Waste to energy projects in Singapore; Desalination and water recycling PPPs in Singapore; Airports structuring and financing in Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand; and electricity utility restructuring / regulatory advisory in Brunei, India, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Sharad is electronics engineer with an MBA in Finance.

Simon Engfred Schlichting

Simon Engfred Schlichting is a Senior Research Analyst and Regional Lead APAC at Aegir Insights, a leading offshore wind intelligence company. Simon is a policy and regulatory specialist with extensive experience in the energy and climate field. In his current role, he is leading the market intelligence and analysis for the Asia- Pacific region with a strategic focus on key market drivers for offshore wind development in the region.

His past experience cover service at the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and the Danish Energy Agency, including leading the support to the Indian government’s offshore wind development.

Simon Nicholas

Simon Nicholas is an energy finance analyst with IEEFA in Australia. Simon holds an honours degree from Imperial College, London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. He has 16 years’ experience working within the finance sector in both London and Sydney at ABN Amro, Macquarie Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Sophaphan Saptippayarattana

Sophaphan Saptippayarattana is the Power, Utilities & Renewables Sector Leader for Deloitte Southeast Asia. Saptippayarattana is also an audit partner with Deloitte in Thailand, with over 20 years of extensive experience in audit.

In her role, she sets the overall direction of the Power, Utilities & Renewables sector portfolio, the development of eminence initiatives, the go-to-market strategies across the businesses, as well as team leadership development. She also oversees Deloitte’s work with national utilities companies and various energy clients across the region.