Indian Conglomerates Embrace Green Hydrogen and Clean Energy Revolution
Key Ideas
- Indian conglomerates are set to invest around USD 800 billion over the next decade, with a significant portion dedicated to new sectors like green hydrogen, clean energy, and electric vehicles.
- Leading groups like Vedanta, Tata, Adani, Reliance, and JSW are spearheading this investment wave, with a focus on sustainable and innovative technologies.
- While some conglomerates are venturing into new sectors, others like Birla and Mahindra are expected to concentrate on expanding their existing businesses to enhance profitability.
- Sustaining credit profiles will be crucial for these conglomerates as they manage increased debt levels, necessitating effective execution of their growth strategies to maintain financial stability.
A recent report by S&P Global Ratings reveals that Indian conglomerates are gearing up for a substantial investment push, with capital commitments projected to reach USD 800 billion over the next decade. A key highlight of this investment plan is the allocation of around 40% towards new and emerging sectors such as green hydrogen, clean energy, aviation, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and data centers. The leading conglomerates including Vedanta, Tata, Adani, Reliance, and JSW are at the forefront, preparing to invest approximately USD 350 billion in these growth areas over the next ten years. The report also indicates that while some conglomerates are venturing into new business sectors, others are likely to focus on expanding their established operations to drive profitability. It is projected that investments in existing businesses could range from USD 400 to 500 billion over the next decade if the current investment pace is maintained. Maintaining credit profiles will be a critical aspect for these companies, as the rise in debt levels to support growth plans necessitates a continuous focus on strengthening core operations. Effective execution of growth strategies will be vital to avoid any negative impact on credit metrics during the investment phase.