Kalpana Pathak

Local banks and non-banking financial lenders accounted for about 42%, or Rs 107,985 crore, of the Adani Group's total borrowings of Rs 258,176 crore as of September-end, compared with 36%, or Rs 88,100 crore, at the end of March 2024. As on March 31, 2023, the group had 31% of its loans from Indian lenders.

Reliance Industries' subsidiary has invested $12 million in Wavetech Helium, acquiring a 21% stake. This US-based company explores and produces helium, a crucial element for various sectors including healthcare, technology, and aerospace. Reliance aims to expand its low-carbon solutions portfolio with this strategic move.

Saint-Gobain, a France-headquartered sustainable construction major, targets three-fold growth in India, aiming for a turnover increase from ₹14,200 crore to nearly ₹50,000 crore by 2035. The company plans to leverage local manufacturing, diverse leadership, and extensive operations in glass, gypsum, abrasives, and construction chemicals to drive growth.

Greenzo Energy India (GEIL) has entered a 20-year partnership with France's EODev to introduce hydrogen fuel cell power generators in India, utilizing Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell technology. This initiative aims to replace fossil-fuel-based generators in facilities like telecom towers and data centers, significantly reducing emissions and investing around ₹200 crore initially.

CFM Asset Reconstruction Pvt Ltd has taken Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd (VIPL) to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for unpaid dues of nearly ₹3,800 crore. VIPL, a Reliance Power subsidiary, defaulted on loans from Axis Bank and SBI, which were later sold to CFM ARC. The NCLT appointed an interim resolution professional to oversee the insolvency process.

Tata Power plans a Rs 1.46 lakh crore investment to double its operational capacity to 32 GW by 2030, focusing on renewables. The company aims to increase transmission line and distribution reach significantly. A new 4.3 GW cell and module plant in Tamil Nadu supports this expansion, boosting domestic solar production.

Sterlite Power Transmission Ltd.'s unit secured ₹725 crore in funding from GEF Capital Partners and Enam Holding. The investment will fuel the expansion of power conductor, OPGW, and cable manufacturing, including a new plant in Baroda. This move aligns with rising global demand and aims to capitalize on opportunities arising from geopolitical shifts.

Bentley Systems, a Nasdaq-listed infrastructure engineering software company, anticipates continued growth in India due to the country's robust infrastructure spending. The company, which supports infrastructure projects globally, sees particular potential in India's water, energy, and renewables sectors.

"AG&P Pratham has invested $1 billion across the authorized geographical areas for building the network as of December 2024. We plan to invest a further $1 billion in the coming years to expand the infrastructure and facilitate the adoption of natural gas as a fuel of choice," a company spokesperson said in an emailed response.

Swan Energy and Singapore's AG&P Terminals & Logistics have partnered to form two joint ventures focused on LNG supply in India and beyond. One JV will handle LNG supply, with Swan Energy holding 51% stake. The other, majority-owned by AG&P LNG, will operate Swan Energy's LNG terminal using an FSRU. The deal is subject to due diligence.