Smita Rakesh

Ashden India Renewable Energy Collective (AIREC)

Chief Operating Officer

Smita Rakesh is the COO of the Ashden India Renewable Energy Collective (AIREC) – the network of organisations and experts working for pro-poor energy solutions. A sustainable energy professional, Smita has been working on issues of concern to environment and society, with a special interest in rural development projects related to renewable energy, energy access and gender.

Her strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary approach and the ability to connect with grassroots challenges. Before joining AIREC, Smita has worked as a research consultant to Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Sir Rata Tata Trust (now called the Tata Trusts), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Sambodhi Research and Communications. In the past, she has also worked in the implementation of energy access projects for the bottom of the pyramid. With an experience of having worked on implementation, research, grassroots entrepreneurship, monitoring & evaluation, trainings & assessment, and policy related work on over 35 projects across the country, Smita brings with her comprehensive experience of the sustainable energy access sector.