In India's race towards a cleaner, greener future, some names stand out not just for what they build, but for why they build. Dr. Faruk G. Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of KP Group, is one of them. His story is less about corporate milestones and more about faith—faith in hard work, in responsibility, and in the idea that business should serve people as much as profits.
Farukbhai, as he's fondly called, began his journey back in 1994 with a modest ₹1 lakh in hand. For many, that might not seem like much, but for him, it symbolized something far more powerful: trust, grit, and the responsibility to create something meaningful for generations ahead. "Every challenge felt like an opportunity to innovate," he often recalls. His early ventures that is telecom towers and logistics were stepping stones, not just for financial growth but for building the foundation of something bigger: a mission.
That mission was simple yet profound, help strengthen India's backbone through infrastructure and clean energy. "Faith in hard work, responsibility towards society, and perseverance gave me the courage to move forward, step by step," he says.
From that single step has emerged an empire of over 43 companies spanning solar, wind, hydrogen, and steel fabrication. What ties them all together is not just business diversification but a unifying purpose: building a self-reliant and sustainable India. "Whether it is a telecom tower, a solar park, or a galvanizing facility," he explains, "the underlying purpose is the same, strengthening the nation's backbone."
A Vision Beyond Business
Ask Patel what makes such scale possible and he points to people. He believes in surrounding himself with like-minded individuals which was people driven not just by profit but by values: integrity, innovation, and impact. "When you group with same-minded people, the task gets easy," he says with a smile. "For we all work for a common goal with zest."
That common goal has produced remarkable results. KP Group today commands a renewable portfolio exceeding 5.6 GW, with a target of 10 GW by 2030. The growth is powered by technology, precision, and partnerships: cutting-edge bifacial solar modules, hybrid wind-solar projects, AI-driven forecasting, and energy storage systems. Add to this their in-house manufacturing from MMS towers to solar panel mounts and KP Group has a speed and cost efficiency few can match.
Partnerships have also been crucial. From state governments to investors and communities, Patel has nurtured collaborations that make large-scale renewable projects possible. One such milestone: the installation of South Gujarat's very first Wind Turbine Generator, a symbol not just of power generation but of Gujarat's leap into sustainable growth.
Innovation with Conscience
One of the group's proudest innovations is a robotic, solar-powered cleaning system for panels requiring no water. Patel calls it "solar panel cleaning with a conscience." For him, sustainability is not just about megawatts but also about how gently we tread on the planet while producing them.
In Surat, KP Group's headquarters hums with the energy of the future. Their state-of-the-art Network Operations Center (NOC) monitors solar parks, wind farms, and hybrid projects across the country. Equipped with AI analytics and real-time dashboards, it ensures projects run with maximum uptime and minimum cost. But at its heart, the NOC is more than just technology—it's proof that Patel's vision marries innovation with responsibility.
Beyond Energy: Giving Back
For Patel, success without social impact is incomplete. Through the KP Human Development Foundation, the Group supports education, healthcare, elder care, and cultural initiatives. From scholarships for students to rooftop solar donations and free pilgrimages, the Foundation ensures that progress is shared.
Perhaps most moving is their project to create the world's first Old Age Home for specially abled people in Jhagadia, Bharuch. This initiative reflects Patel's deeply held belief: "When society prospers, business prospers that's the philosophy that keeps us rooted."
Lessons in Leadership
Leading over 40 companies is no small feat, yet Patel credits KP Group's resilience to what he calls "short cycles of long vision." The Group plans for two to three years at a time, making them nimble enough to adapt, yet always with eyes on the larger goal—10 GW by 2030.
It wasn't always easy. Many of his early ideas, like shared telecom towers or hybrid energy projects, were met with skepticism. But Patel persisted. Today, those very ideas are industry benchmarks. "True leadership," he reflects, "means staying the course when conviction is stronger than doubt. Persistence turns vision into reality."
Recognition and the Road Ahead
Awards have followed—Legends of Surat, Business Icon, an Honorary Doctorate, and the Mahatma Award for societal good. Yet Patel treats them not as personal triumphs but as collective achievements. "They remind me of the responsibility to keep raising the bar, not just for KP Group, but for India's next generation of leaders," he says.
Looking to the future, Patel sees three transformative pillars: offshore wind, large-scale energy storage, and green hydrogen. Together, he calls them the "tripod of India's energy independence." Hydrogen, in particular, excites him, with its potential to decarbonize industries beyond electricity.
A Story of Persistence and Purpose
From one telecom tower in the 1990s to a renewable portfolio powering millions today, Faruk Patel's story is one of faith, persistence, and responsibility. It's a reminder that leadership is not about the loudest voice in the room, but about holding steady when others doubt, about giving back while moving forward, and about building not just companies but legacies.
As India marches toward its net-zero future, Patel and KP Group stand not just as participants in the transition, but as architects of it quietly but determinedly lighting the way forward.