Kshema Power Eyes T&D Expansion, Hybrid RE Projects

Indian renewable energy EPC player Kshema Power is expanding its footprint in wind-solar hybrid and transmission projects as the country shifts focus towards round-the-clock (RTC) and peak power supply, the company said in an interaction with Saur Energy.

“Our portfolio today is largely wind-dominated, with about 75% in wind and 25% in solar,” said Srinivas Suthram, Business Development Officer at Kshema Power. “But with increasing inquiries from developers, we’re open to scaling up in solar, particularly on the balance-of-plant (BoP) side.”

Kshema is also diversifying into transmission and distribution (T&D), responding to grid demands triggered by hybrid and RTC projects. The firm is eyeing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) work in Extra High Voltage (EHV) and substation development, supported by rising tender volumes across states.

Shift Towards RTC, Peak Demand Solutions

Suthram noted the transition in government policy from standalone wind or solar projects to hybrid and RTC projects. “The focus is clearly on grid stability and peak demand,” he said, adding that FDRE (Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are gaining traction.

While Kshema does not yet have operational BESS projects, it is actively exploring BoP roles for solar-plus-storage and hybrid systems.

Wind Sector Sees Bigger Turbines, Land Efficiency Gains

Tracing the evolution of India’s wind sector since the late 1990s, Suthram highlighted the growing preference for larger wind turbines, including 5–5.5 MW units, driven by land constraints and improved logistics.

“Larger turbines with higher hub heights and rotor diameters help optimize land use and extract more from the same wind potential,” he said. However, deployment depends on PLI indices, terrain suitability, and regulatory restrictions such as airspace clearance.

He added that logistics advancements and lightweight blade technology have enabled the shift to taller turbines, though beyond 5.5 MW, offshore wind becomes more viable due to transport and cost limitations.

When asked about the peculiar challenges of wind EPC projects, Suthram said that unlike solar projects, wind EPC faces challenges due to fragmented land parcels and long intra-site transmission lines, often exceeding 200 km. “Solar projects are typically within a boundary, but wind requires connecting scattered turbine sites, which complicates construction and maintenance,” Suthram said.

Growing International Footprint

Kshema is also part of the Neom project in Saudi Arabia, handling civil and foundation works, with talks underway for phase two. It is operating under contracts with L&T in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and is open to further international wind and solar opportunities.

Near- and Long-Term Strategy

Short-term, the company aims to stabilize operations and achieve a turnover of ₹1,000–2,000 crore by FY2026. Over the next five years, Kshema plans to scale its presence in T&D infrastructure, with a focus on substation creation and BoP works, particularly in public sector tenders from PGCIL and NTPC.

It is also exploring opportunities in green hydrogen infrastructure, including land and grid connectivity for electrolyzer facilities, though not hydrogen production directly.

Kshema is currently bidding in tenders such as Kerala’s PSST substation development and aims to leverage its strengths as a non-turbine EPC contractor, especially as public sector utilities unbundle EPC packages to encourage broader participation.