IFC Invests in Hero Future Energies to Significantly Scale Up Renewable Capacity in India
New Delhi, India, January 5, 2017—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is picking up equity stake in Hero Future Energies, the renewable energy arm of the Hero Group. The investment will help the company expand its renewable energy capacity, provide jobs and facilitate private sector development in renewable energy.
IFC, together with IFC Global Infrastructure Fund, a private equity fund managed by IFC Asset Management Company, will invest $125 million in equity, enabling the company to set up 1 GW of greenfield solar and wind plants in the next 12 months across India.
“I am happy to join hands with IFC, in our endeavor to achieve new goal of 2.7 GW renewable energy capacity by 2020” said Rahul Munjal, Chairman & Managing Director, Hero Future Energies. Currently, Hero Future Energies has a presence in twelve states in India with a capacity of over 360 megawatt having solar, wind, and rooftop installations.
Sunil Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Hero Future Energies commented, “This partnership will fuel our ambitions to tap into the incredible opportunity that lies in both domestic and overseas markets as well as new technologies namely storage, hybrid projects among others. This association is also a validation of our core strengths in timely project delivery, unwavering focus on health safety and environment standards, developmental capabilities, stringent asset quality standards and design and engineering skills. We will also aggressively focus on expanding our promising rooftop solar portfolio.”
Over 40 percent of India’s population lacks access to reliable electricity. The country’s growing energy sector will require $250 billion in investments over the next five years, most of which will have to come from the private sector. With 80 percent of the country’s energy needs still being met through thermal power, renewable energy is increasingly seen as the solution for bringing universal energy access. In 2014, the Indian government announced a plan of setting up 175 GW of solar and wind energy by 2022.
“With this partnership with Hero Future Energies, IFC is helping accelerate the transition of the renewable energy generation business to mainstream power sector. Through the Global Infrastructure Fund, IFC is also bringing in the support of international institutional investors,” said Mengistu Alemayehu, Regional Director, IFC South Asia. “Such a development will boost confidence of other large business groups and international investors to contribute to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and make a significant difference in ramping up renewable-energy capacity in the country.”
IFC is a pioneer in renewable energy in India, investing in the sector since 2009. Our portfolio companies today have set up over 3 GW of different forms of renewable-power projects in the country. IFC’s advisory team is helping the state of Madhya Pradesh set up a 750-MW solar-power project in Rewa, which will be the largest single-site solar plant in the world when completed.
“The IFC Global Infrastructure Fund is pleased to partner with the Hero Group in the renewables space in India,” said Darius Lilaoonwala, Co-Head, IFC Global Infrastructure Fund. “We look forward to supporting Hero Future Energies as it further consolidates its market position as a leading Indian wind and solar energy platform over the next few years.”
India is IFC’s top country exposure, globally. IFC’s committed portfolio in India is over $5 billion as of June 30, 2016. In FY16, IFC committed $1.1 billion in new investments in the country. In addition to strengthening local capital markets in India, IFC is focused on boosting financing in infrastructure and logistics, promoting financial inclusion, helping create conditions to attract increased private capital, and helping structure public-private partnerships.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org
About IFC Asset Management Company
IFC Asset Management Company (AMC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFC, invests third party capital, enabling investors to benefit from IFC’s expertise in achieving strong equity returns, as well as positive development impact in the countries in which it invests. AMC has raised $9.4 billion of capital across 13 investment funds. It manages the IFC Global Infrastructure Fund. For more information, visit www.ifcamc.org.
About Hero Future Energies
Established in 2012, Hero Future Energies is present across 12 states of India. The company is an Independent Power Producer with operating plants of about 360 MW and has 1.4 GW of projects in the pipeline. The company plans to invest progressively in wind, grid connected solar, rooftop sectors, energy storage over the next few years. HFE plans to set up additional capacity internationally and also develop a sizeable presence in roof top solar plants.