Latest news with #RahulMunjal
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Not just IPL, there is also an Energy Premier League in India
By Rahul Munjal In 2008, cricket saw the birth of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a bold, fast-paced reinvention of the game that challenged tradition and captivated a new generation. Interestingly, that era was also marked by another audacious leap: India's early steps toward embracing clean energy. Both moves, in their own domains, signalled a shift toward innovation, risk-taking and long-term transformation. Both ideas that challenged the tried and tested were greeted initially with scepticism. Traditionalists scoffed at the IPL's flashy format, fearing it would dilute the game's soul. Likewise, energy veterans questioned whether renewable power could ever rival the affordability and reliability of fossil-fuel power. Two decades later, the IPL and India's renewable energy sector have redefined their respective domains. The IPL auction, for instance, is perhaps the clearest expression of how far things have come. Balancing budgets, betting on form and future, and placing bold bets on untested potential. It's remarkably similar to how we make investment decisions in clean energy: Weighing long-term returns, assessing risk, and blending proven technologies with next-generation innovations. The fact that the 2025 IPL auction went up to nearly Rs 640 crore, around four times the value from when it first started, is testimony to the sustained interest in the IPL. A similar bold approach is reflected in how tariffs for renewable power have declined. Solar bids have decreased from above Rs 10 in 2015 to around Rs 2.4 currently. The IPL has transformed into a multibillion-dollar franchise. Owners invest in academies, brand-building and talent pipelines, and look far beyond the boundary ropes. Revenue from IPL 2025 is projected to reach nearly Rs 20,000 crore, up 30 times from around Rs 650 crore in its launch year. This evolution mirrors our journey in renewables, from isolated pilot projects to a dominant source of new power capacity addition. From a mere 3 GW two decades ago, India now boasts around 180 GW of renewables capacity (excluding hydro), giving India the distinction of having the world's fourth-largest RE capacity. The IPL-T20 format has been synonymous with relentless innovation in cricket, which has led to its continued success and popularity. Creative rule changes, such as 'Impact Player', have sustained interest. Similarly, continuous innovations in modules, batteries and wind turbines have ensured dramatic improvements in RE power cost and reliability, ensuring sustained growth of the sector. Innovation isn't optional for either; it's crucial to survival. Their growth trajectories speak for themselves. According to Brandirectory, the IPL's brand value has surged from $2.1 billion in 2008 to over $12 billion in 2025. In comparison, according to the IEA World Energy Investment 2025 report, India's annual renewable investments have grown from under $2 billion a decade ago to around $33 billion in 2024. These numbers aren't just impressive, they reveal what's possible when execution meets vision. Just as teams exploit field restrictions in cricket's powerplay overs to accelerate scoring, the renewable sector must seize its own powerplay windows — policy momentum, falling tech costs, and shifting global demand. With geopolitical tensions accelerating the global pivot to energy security, we are in the midst of our most crucial innings. Talent from all corners of the cricketing world coming together elevates the IPL to a higher level. India's renewable space now has a similar global magnetism. FDI has crossed $3.5 billion, and international developers are lining up to participate in mega auctions. We've gone from domestic play to global destination. Modern franchises are powered by data. Every delivery is dissected, every move backed by analytics. Renewable energy has followed suit. AI tools optimise wind turbine maintenance and energy dispatch. Weather models predict solar and wind output with over 95 per cent accuracy. Satellite imagery aids site selection. This is no longer a sector powered by sunshine and hope, it is driven by AI and precision. The employment impact is no less remarkable. During tournament months, the IPL supports over 40,000 direct jobs and countless indirect jobs, whereas India's renewable sector employs 1.1 million people today and is poised to create 3.4 million jobs by 2030. This is about more than gigawatts; it's about livelihoods and inclusive growth. What separates serial winners from also-rans isn't just talent, it's culture. Long-term orientation, disciplined systems, and a relentless commitment to excellence. That's exactly what India's renewable energy mission demands. Our 2030 target of 500 GW is a national imperative. One that calls for patient capital, policy consistency, and unshakeable conviction. The climate clock is ticking. The global spotlight is on. Economic competitiveness, energy security, and environmental responsibility now intersect. Like finishing a match with calculated aggression, the renewable sector must execute transition with boldness and urgency. The IPL and India's clean energy sector have shown the world that India can innovate, lead, and inspire, driven by its ingenuity. The match is on. And India is ready to lead. The writer is chairman and managing director of Hero Future Energies
Economic Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Hero Future Energies appoints 4 I-bankers for Rs 5,000-crore IPO
Around 43% of the power offtake from its operational plants are through contracts with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). HFE has scaled up its IPO fundraising ambition to ₹5,000 crore after initial positive feedback from ESG investors. Backed by KKR and IFC, HFE has appointed JM Financial, Axis, Nomura and Bank of America, said multiple people aware of the development. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai | New Delhi: KKR-backed Hero Future Energies (HFE), the Munjal family promoted green energy producer, has mandated four investment bankers , including Bank of America and Nomura for its proposed IPO, while the Hero MotoCorp-backed Ather Energy prepares to open its initial share sales has scaled up its IPO fundraising ambition to ₹5,000 crore after initial positive feedback from ESG investors. Backed by KKR and IFC, HFE has appointed JM Financial , Axis, Nomura and Bank of America, said multiple people aware of the had earlier planned a ₹3,000 crore fund raise. ET first reported in Future's 5.2 gigawatt of renewable power generation assets are largely concentrated in India, but it has expanded to the UK, Ukraine, Singapore, Vietnam and Hero Motocorp owns about 40% stake in Ather Future Energies' external shareholders KKR and International Finance Corp (IFC) could trim some of their stakes in the share offering. Hero's Munjal family are the controlling shareholders of the sent to HFE did not elicit any response until the publication of this would invest $20 billion in renewable energy generation by 2030, Reuters had reported last year, quoting Rahul Munjal. This would include solar and wind projects and battery storage, he told the news subsidiaries of HFE include Hero Wind Energy, Hero Solar Energy and Hero Rooftop Energy. The operational portfolio comprised wind capacity of over 583 MW across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh; solar capacity of over 1576 MW across MP, Telangana, AP, Karnataka and operational portfolio has long-term power purchase agreements with distribution companies in Rajasthan, Karnataka, MP, AP, Maharashtra, several private industrial and commercial customers, and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Diversification of assets in terms of location and presence of strong counterparties reduces the associated credit risk, said a recent report by 43% of the power offtake from its operational plants are through contracts with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The remainder of the power is sold through direct agreements with distribution companies in the states and also to captive customers, such as the Hero made its debut fundraise in 2017 from IFC- which invested $125 million. Subsequently in 2022, KKR and the Munjal family collectively infused $450 million into the company. The Hero Group forayed into renewable energy generation in 2012.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hero Future Energies appoints 4 I-bankers for Rs 5,000-crore IPO
Mumbai | New Delhi: KKR-backed Hero Future Energies (HFE), the Munjal family promoted green energy producer, has mandated four investment bankers , including Bank of America and Nomura for its proposed IPO, while the Hero MotoCorp-backed Ather Energy prepares to open its initial share sales Monday. HFE has scaled up its IPO fundraising ambition to ₹5,000 crore after initial positive feedback from ESG investors. Backed by KKR and IFC, HFE has appointed JM Financial , Axis, Nomura and Bank of America, said multiple people aware of the development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo HFE had earlier planned a ₹3,000 crore fund raise. ET first reported in January. Hero Future's 5.2 gigawatt of renewable power generation assets are largely concentrated in India, but it has expanded to the UK, Ukraine, Singapore, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Separately, Hero Motocorp owns about 40% stake in Ather Energy. Live Events Agencies Hero Future Energies' external shareholders KKR and International Finance Corp (IFC) could trim some of their stakes in the share offering. Hero's Munjal family are the controlling shareholders of the company. Mails sent to HFE did not elicit any response until the publication of this report. HFE would invest $20 billion in renewable energy generation by 2030, Reuters had reported last year, quoting Rahul Munjal. This would include solar and wind projects and battery storage, he told the news agency. The subsidiaries of HFE include Hero Wind Energy, Hero Solar Energy and Hero Rooftop Energy. The operational portfolio comprised wind capacity of over 583 MW across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh; solar capacity of over 1576 MW across MP, Telangana, AP, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The operational portfolio has long-term power purchase agreements with distribution companies in Rajasthan, Karnataka, MP, AP, Maharashtra, several private industrial and commercial customers, and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Diversification of assets in terms of location and presence of strong counterparties reduces the associated credit risk, said a recent report by Crisil. Around 43% of the power offtake from its operational plants are through contracts with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The remainder of the power is sold through direct agreements with distribution companies in the states and also to captive customers, such as the Hero Group. HFE made its debut fundraise in 2017 from IFC- which invested $125 million. Subsequently in 2022, KKR and the Munjal family collectively infused $450 million into the company. The Hero Group forayed into renewable energy generation in 2012.
