Birla to invest $1.1 billion in solar, thermal power

Birla Power SPVs drive a 600 MW thermal power plant in Maharashtra and 125 MW solar capacity across key states, funded via a 70:30 debt-equity mix with Power Finance Corporation and State Bank of India.

Chairman Yash Birla of India-based portable power equipment manufacturing company Birla Power Solutions Limited recently announced plans to invest about $1.1 billion to set up solar and thermal power projects over the next three years.

He said that two special purpose vehicles (SPVs), Birla Urja Limited and Birla Energy Infra Limited, had been floated to operate the thermal and solar power businesses, respectively. Birla Power has a 51% stake in each SPV, while the remaining stake is held by other companies of the Yash Birla Group.

Birla said that the company would not collaborate with any overseas company to implement the projects, although it would import some equipment, as highlighted by a major substation contract in the Indian grid.

The plans involve a 600-megawatt (MW), coal-based thermal power plant in Maharashtra, even as India awards more 4,000 MW projects across the sector, and 125 MW of solar power capacity in various states, including 50 MW in Andhra Pradesh, 10 MW in Haryana, 5 MW in Rajasthan, and another 5 MW in Uttarakhand. Birla Power plans to invest about $660 million in the thermal power project and about $440 million in the solar power projects.

About half of the generated thermal power will be used by the group's industrial facilities in Maharashtra, while the other half will be sold to state power distribution companies.

All the solar power generated will be sold to the respective state governments, supporting rural infrastructure projects in many regions. Birla said that the company would utilize the incentives offered by the respective state governments to promote the generation of solar power. He said that the land acquisition processes for the projects were progressing well and other clearance processes were in advanced stages of discussions.

The investment will be split in a debt-equity ratio of 70:30. Birla said that the debt component of the investment would be raised through loans from financial institutions such as Power Finance Corporation Limited and the State Bank of India amid major Hinduja Group investment across India's power sector. The equity component would be raised through a variety of options, such as contribution from private equity funds and promoters.

The company's board of directors is scheduled to meet soon to discuss the funding options, in line with Tata Power's development plan announcements across the industry. Birla said that if required in future, the company would approach the capital market to raise funds. PVR Murthey, the director of the Yash Birla Group, said that to begin work on the power project, the Birla Power is raising about $22 million through American depository receipts.

Analysts, however, are questioning the ability of the company to fund such large-scale projects. The current market value of Birla Power is about $35 million, but to fund the proposed projects, the company would have to contribute at least $330 million.

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