Tata Power to acquire Welspun's renewable energy arm

Tata Power on Monday said it will acquire Welspun Energy's subsidiary, Welspun Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd (WREPL) for an undisclosed amount.

Tata Power's subsidiary Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) will acquire WREPL through a share purchase agreement (SPA), it said in a statement.

"TPREL, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Power, has signed an SPA with Welspun Energy to acquire its subsidiary WREPL," it added.

This represents the largest transaction in renewables space in India. WREPL has one of the largest operating solar portfolios in India spread across ten states.

"It has about 1,140 mega watt (MW) of renewable power projects comprising about 990 MW solar power projects and about 150 MW of wind power projects," it added.

Market sources said the deal size could be in the range of Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 crore.

Out of 1,140 MW renewable portfolio, nearly 1,000 MW of capacity is operational and balance capacity is under advanced stages of implementation.

TPREL currently operates 294 MW of renewable power capacity and 500 MW of renewable assets are being carved out of Tata Power into TPREL through a court process. In addition, almost 400 MW of solar and wind power projects are under implementation.

Thus, TPREL with all these assets, would have renewable assets portfolio of about 2,300 MW making it the largest renewable power company in India, Tata Power has claimed.

"The company is pursuing growth in renewable energy space to create value for its shareholders through various organic and inorganic growth opportunities," Tata Power CEO and Managing Director Anil Sardana said.

This acquisition will enable the company to deliver significant value for all stakeholders as most of the assets are revenue generating and operating assets. Tata Power can further enhance value of these assets with its operational experience and financial optimisation, he added.

The acquisition is also a significant step towards attaining the company's objective of having non-fossil fuel based capacity up to 30-40 per cent of its total generating capacity, Sardana said.

JM Financial Institutional Securities Limited acted as exclusive transaction advisor to TPREL in relation to this transaction. KPMG India Private Limited was the accounting and tax advisor. AZB and Partners acted as the legal advisor for this transaction.