Torrent Power Limited (TORNTPOWER) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

February 9, 2024

National Stock Exchange of India IN Utilities Electric Utilities earnings 42 min

Earnings Call Speaker Segments

Operator

operator
#1

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Torrent Power Limited Q3 FY '24 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Saurabh Mashruwala, CFO from Torrent Power Limited. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#2

Thank you. Good morning to all of you, and thank you for joining the earnings call of Torrent Power for Q3 FY '24. First, I will take you through the performance of the quarter, after which phone lines will be open for the Q&A session. Reported PBT for the quarter stood at INR 514 crores as compared to INR 977 crores in the corresponding quarter last year. The lower PBT is due to reduction in profits from the thermal generation business by INR 478 crores on account of lower net gains in current quarter from the sale of LNG as well as merchant power compared to corresponding quarter last year. Apart from this, the underlying business across coal generation, renewable generation, and as well as distribution business should improvement in the profits. Coming to the business wise, the sector contributed the performance of the quarter. There are 3 factors: first, contribution from the distribution business improved by INR 26 crores, mainly due to increase in ROE on capitalization of CapEx, solar as well as other O&M incentives. Second, profitability from the renewable segment increased by about INR 29 crores on account of 2 factors: first, improved PLF from wind power plant and normal availability of 50-megawatt SECI-I wind power project, which was affected in the corresponding period of last year for part of Daman due to EHV tower failures. And second, contribution from 115-megawatt SECI-V wind project commissioned in July '23. The above gains from the distribution as well as renewables were partially offset by the higher depreciation, finance costs, and business income and expenses totaling to INR 40 crores. Now moving to the operational performance of the company. Power demand continued to show growth during the quarter, leading to a better power generation of the company. Demand in the distribution business witnessed a growth of 5% in the current quarter. Thermal generation of the company witnessed an increased PLF due to increased demand from both long-term off-takers as well as merchant power. We expect country power demand to show incremental growth and merchant market in certain peak demand period like summer and pre-winter period will offer opportunity to sell gas-based power in future, considering LNG price remain at a sustainable level. Company has been gearing up to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the merchant market for which in addition to 2 cargoes tied up for the current calendar year in the past, company has additionally tied up 5 cargoes to be supplied in Q4 at FY '24 and Q1 of FY '25 at an average rate of approximately 9.6 MMBtu. Cargoes are expected to be utilized over supply of our commitments, under existing PPAs as well as merchant market. We expect to book further LNG cargoes in view of the softening of the LNG prices. So we are ready for meeting the summer demand by importing more cargoes from the market. PLF of the renewable generation was higher on account of better generation from wind power plants due to normalized wind speed compared to previous years, which is expected to be continued going forward. This completes the review of quarterly financial as well as operating performance of the company. Coming to the performance of the -- update on the current project, which are under pipeline. There are: first is SCOD of TPLD 300-megawatt solar project, has been extended up to FY '24, and the project is likely to be commissioned by next quarter. As informed in the last quarter, the project is expected to have an improved return profile considering recent reduction in solar module prices in international market. PPA for 300 megawatts SECI XII project -- wind project was executed in March '23. A turnkey EPC contract for development of the project has been awarded to Suzlon. The SCOD of the project is March '25. The SCOD of the project is likely to be extended, considering the procedural delay in adoption of tariff by CERC. As informed in the last quarter, 175 megawatts hybrid project comprising of 125-megawatt wind as well as 50-megawatt of solar project is being developed under Airpower, 100% subsidiary of Torrent Power. The project implementation is on track and plant is expected to be commissioned progressively by December '25. And the power from the project will be sold directly in the merchant market, it will start generating revenues right from first part of commissioning as connective infrastructure is already in place. Under the C&I portfolio, the company has 215-megawatt project under development. Out of which 13-megawatt has been commissioned during last quarter. The balance CapEx is likely to commission by end of the next financial year. Company's pilot project in green hydrogen blending with the CNG in UP, one of the largest private sector branding project in India is progressing as per the time line and is expected to commission by March '24. Further, the company has got an allocation of 18 ktpa of green hydrogen production under SECI PLI tender at an average PLI of 28.89 per Kv. Technical feasibility has been done until business plan is under preparation. With respect to Pump Storage Hydro project in Maharashtra, MoEF has given the terms of reference for the 2 sites, and DPR is under preparation. That's all for this quarter. Now I would request coordinator to open the line for Q&A session. We wish everybody to stay safe and healthy. Thank you. Handing over to operator.

Operator

operator
#3

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Mohit Kumar from ICICI Securities.

Mohit Kumar

analyst
#4

And my first question is, you did allude to the fact that you're looking to sell more in the merchant in the coming quarters, so do you have a specific tie-up right now? Or do you think that most of the sales will happen -- it should happen going forward and a large part of it can be sold in the exchanges? Is that assumption right?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#5

We are getting inquiries. So it will be -- we are -- in fact, we are gearing up for the summer meeting the summer demand. So we have started tieing up the cargoes also. In the very recent past we have tied up about 5 cargoes. So -- and that is what we plan to tie up for the cargoes also.

Mohit Kumar

analyst
#6

Question on the PPA side, sir -- PPA side purchase?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#7

Yes. So we are getting the inquiries also on the PPA side also from the various DISCOM.

Mohit Kumar

analyst
#8

My second question is, sir, on the hydrogen production, where you won the PLI scheme, PLI incentives. So any tentative tie up where do you want to sell the hydrogen? Is it for export? Any tentative CapEx number? Or is it too early right now?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#9

It's too early right now, but we are looking at both the markets, export market -- more particularly export market as well as domestic market also.

Mohit Kumar

analyst
#10

My last question is sir, just one clarification on the Slide #16. I think the gas, there is a -- you'd mentioned the gas plant generation in this particular quarter is 1,469 MU, while the SUGEN is at 643 MU, UNOSUGEN at 136 MU, DGEN is at 131 MU. Doesn't sum up? Is there something wrong, if there is something?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#11

Yes. So we have corrected it.

Mohit Kumar

analyst
#12

Okay. So it is lower, right? It's not 1,469 MU. Am I right?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#13

910 MU.

Operator

operator
#14

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Swati Jhunjhunwala from BOB Capital.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#15

My first question is on the LNG gains that you mentioned that you adjusted for LNG and merchant power sales around INR 478 crores. So my question is should we not treat it as an exceptional item, given that the LNG sales that we were doing were on account of high gas prices in the market, right? And we were paying penalty for not producing power at that time. So should we treat it as an exceptional item or should we treat it as a normal course of the business for the last year? That's my first question.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#16

It's a normal course of business. So Swati, just to clarify, it is basically we procure cargoes considering the merchant market and the prices which are prevailing. So to take benefit of the merchant prices, we typically book the cargoes as we have done this quarter also and going for the upcoming quarters, but basically because of the international prices going very high, it was economically beneficial to sell cargoes rather than convert that into electricity. And that's why the cargoes were sold and not converted into electricity and sold in the merchant market. So it's not an exceptional item per se, it's part of the regular business which we do. Only thing was the cargoes -- selling cargoes were much beneficial compared to converting into electricity. As far as your question is concerned in terms of penalty for non-supply, I think that was -- there is no penalty involved in non-supply. We have fulfilled all our obligations under the PPA.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#17

Understood. Sir, what should we assume as an approximation for a steady-state profit given that this quarter, we've done something around INR 370 crores, but there was a patch in the middle where every quarter we were having a very high run rate of PAT, INR 500 crores, INR 600 crores. So should we take a INR 350 crores to INR 400 crores type of figures per quarter as a steady-state profit? Is that fair to assume?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#18

No, we can't give a number. But if you look at the past history also in Q3 and Q4, generally demand is lower. So always our H1 is always better than the H2. And I think if you look at the underlying business, apart from this LNG and merchant, the underlying business has performed very well on all the parameters, be it distribution, be it generation in terms of renewables is concerned. So underlying business continues to do well. As far as merchant is concerned, it is all about the merchant prices available in the market and the gas prices, corresponding gas prices. So typically, what we have seen historically is that Q1, Q2 gives good merchant prices because of which there has been higher profitability for the merchant market.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#19

Right. Yes, operationally, if I see T&D losses have gone down and our generation is also up, but the disconnect, sir, I am getting is that we have shown a 46% degrowth in PAT to INR 370 crores. That is where actually the whole disconnect was.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#20

This is mainly because of this LNG and merchant gain of INR 478 crores, it is comparable for -- comparable quarter of last year. So as we explained earlier on the last question, it was mainly because of certain geopolitical issues, which came up in Q3 of last year, because of which LNG prices increased significantly, and that's why we sold cargoes. But if you look at historically, if you go slightly in the past, Q3 has always been subdued in terms of merchant prices are concerned.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#21

Understood. Understood. All right. So going forward, what is your opinion on the gas? Do you expect that next 4 quarters of gas prices will be benign? Or do you expect volatility like where are you at right now on that?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#22

See, currently, it is sub $10 per MMBtu. So we expect that the similar trend will continue going forward also.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#23

Got it. So is there a threshold that you can give us under -- for gas price at which you decide whether or not to produce power and whether or not to trade in it, is the threshold -- can you give me that number?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#24

If you look at the current power prices on exchange, which is going very strong right now. So considering that strong power prices, we thought -- approx $10 is a good price, I would say, in terms of contracting the cargoes.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#25

Got it. Understood. Okay. Next question is on the distribution side. So there were talks of Pondicherry distribution coming up for bidding, so is there any update on that? And are you looking at any other areas for distribution licensing or franchising as of now?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#26

We are looking at it. But as of now, there is no news about the Pondicherry distribution.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#27

Understood. And lastly, on the CapEx front, so how much CapEx have we done in 9 months FY '24? And going forward, what is our CapEx guidance for the next 2 years?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#28

See for the 9 months, we -- for example, in Ahmedabad license distribution, we incurred about INR 1,200 crores CapEx, while franchise distribution incurred about INR 170 crores CapEx. So these are the CapEx we incurred in the license distribution area. And we have given the guidance also about INR 2,000 crores CapEx we generally plan to do in the financial year -- 1 financial year. So this what guidance -- this guidance continues for the next year also.

Swati Jhunjhunwala

analyst
#29

Understood. And if I can just squeeze one last question. Could you give us the EBITDA breakup business-wise?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#30

So in fact, we have started to giving the segment-wise profit also. So for example, generation, we have given about INR 229 crores EBITDA and renewables generation is about INR 187 crores, and transmission distribution is about INR 735 crores. That is what we have reported in the results also.

Operator

operator
#31

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Aniket Mittal from SBI Mutual Fund.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#32

Firstly, just to understand on the tie-ups that you've made, could you talk about the duration for which these 5 cargoes have been tied up? And from a long-term perspective, let's say, CY '24 and CY '25, what's the current gas tie-up that we have?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#33

Tie up is up to for -- to meet the demand up to June, this June -- Q1 of the next quarter, I would say. And the long-term tie up, we are just -- now the price is stabilizing. So we are contemplating on our booking for the longer tenure also. So that is what -- but prices maybe depends on all gas prices being stabilized.

Unknown Executive

executive
#34

So Aniket, just to add, we have done a long-term cargo tie-up for 4 years for calendar year '24, '25, '26 and '27, where in each calendar year, we have tied up 3 cargoes, which we have done in past. These additional 5 cargoes is for this year, this calendar year, basically, which will be supplied in Q4 and Q1 of next year. So we are also looking at booking additional cargoes for future period.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#35

And these additional 5 cargoes that you've tied up, is this -- would this be sufficient to meet your own distribution demand? Or is there an element of you trying to do merchant sales as well?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#36

It is for the both requirement for our own distribution as well as for merchant market also.

Unknown Executive

executive
#37

If you remember, we also have a long-term contract with IOCL for supply of gas -- for our distribution business. So these cargoes would be partially utilized for our distribution business and partially for the merchant business.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#38

So for our own distribution, let's say, requirement, typically, how many cargoes would we need?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#39

For the full year, it is about 10 cargoes.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#40

And currently, so you've got 3 plus 5 which is 8, for the next 2 quarters?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#41

5 plus 2 already where we have booked earlier. So about 7 cargoes we have right now, till June.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#42

Till June. And 3 is for the long term? Is it? Those 3 cargoes is going for long term?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#43

Yes.

Aniket Mittal

analyst
#44

So total 10. Okay, fair. Just the second question was on the renewables front. From a long-term perspective, we have the same to reach about 4, 5 gigawatts. But if I look at the bidding that's been happening, particularly on the utility scale projects, our participation has not been that much. So if you could just talk about how are we looking at that market? How do we aim to reach that 5-gigawatt number, say, in the next few years?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#45

If you look at the solar stand-alone solar and wind bidding, the price is very competitive. So our focus is more on the RE RTC solution kind of the thing, where we can have a -- we can provide the RTC power. And we will have a better price also. So that is what we are looking at our strategies to bid more for the RE RTC kind of solutions. So we are also developing the various sites. We are in process of acquiring various lands also in the state of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, kind of thing. We are gearing up for the -- so land is of most important thing for any solar and wind projects. So that also activities we are doing. And so plan is to bid more on the RE RTC kind of a solution, quite kind of a projects.

Operator

operator
#46

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Nikhil Nigania from Alliance Bernstein.

Nikhil Nigania

analyst
#47

My first question is regarding the pump storage projects. Firstly, we understand from the peers that it takes about 6 years to build them. So related to that, would you agree to the time lines? And second, do you have any tie-up plans? Or is it all untied you want to go into construction and look for PPAs later? If you could share more color on the pump storage side.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#48

So yes, it's 5x to 6x is required for the construction of the pump storage project. And in terms of our -- we have energy for the site with the Maharashtra government. So 2 sites are available. And as we mentioned in the call, the MoEF has approved the issues at TOR. We are in the process of preparing a detailed project report for the 2 sites in Maharashtra.

Nikhil Nigania

analyst
#49

But on the power sales side, do you see the risk of battery is possibly becoming cheaper, which could impact because these are untied projects right now?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#50

If you look at the global scenario, in fact, means not just in India, but other part of the world. So pump storage Hydro is a more cost effective as compared to the battery. And it will be a -- if you provide storage for a longer period of time as compared to battery. So ideally, the pump storage is a more economical and more acceptable solution for the storage.

Unknown Executive

executive
#51

And I think the cost differential right now is pretty large. I think 40% to 50% is the differential in terms of costing is concerned. So we feel that there is still headroom available for pump storage to be in place. And India is a place where there are still a significant opportunity in pump storage. So before battery, I think pump storage would also be beneficial for the country as a whole to supply RTC power, renewable.

Nikhil Nigania

analyst
#52

Understood. My second and last question then is on the gas power plant side. Would you be able to give any color in terms of, if the gas power sale opportunities you guys are seeing, what kind of pricing are you seeing in the market? And in terms of costing, what is the variable generation costs, hence that's spread that is visible in the market?

Unknown Executive

executive
#53

So basically, if I look at $10 as a gas price, at which I'm able to procure, typically, my variable cost would be around INR 6. And basically, if I look at the merchant prices right now, which is typically a lower demand period as of now, they are hovering around INR 7. So as of now, also, if I sell merchant market, I will be able to generate some profit out of it. As we have seen in the past, merchant prices tends to go up from March onwards when summer starts till July, August. So basically, we are looking at a high demand scenario for next 6 months, which will increase the prices in the merchant market. And that's why we are looking at selling additional merchant power in the merchant market.

Operator

operator
#54

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Anuj Upadhyay from Investec.

Anuj Upadhyay

analyst
#55

Firstly on the T&D losses and also our SMK dilution. So how that trajectory is moving? Secondly, as we are moving to a high demand kind of a phase. So our sense is that, it becomes a bit difficult to bring down the AT&C and T&D losses during high demand kind of time period. So how do we try and manage -- plan and manage to bring down the loss?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#56

In SMK, our T&D loss is around 27%. So -- and every year, if you look at, we are able to achieve a reduction in at least 4% reduction every year in the last 3, 4 years period. So same trend we expect to continue in SMK area also. And in Agra and Bhiwandi, it is -- AT&C loss is around 10% kind of a thing. So we expect -- every year, we expect AT&C losses will further improve by 50 to 75 basis points, in Agra and Bhiwandi also.

Anuj Upadhyay

analyst
#57

Okay. And just a follow-up on the earlier question where we had targeted to scale up our capacity to 5 gigawatt, currently our portfolio in terms of renewable and our current portfolio would be hovering in the range of 3 to 3.2 gigawatts. So any inorganic route as well which you are aggressively looking at to scale up the capacity or...?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#58

Inorganic route also we are evaluating. We are evaluating inorganic route also. Both organic as well as inorganic, both front we are working right now. So organic route, we are bidding for the new projects. Recently we have bid for railway project, 100 megawatts RE RTC solution. So we are the L1 leader in that railway project.

Unknown Executive

executive
#59

So Anuj, there is a good pipeline of projects where wherein we have bid and we are hopeful that we'll be able to get them. But since they are not in public, we will not be able to disclose, but there's a good pipeline in terms of organic and inorganic is concerned. Inorganic, of course, is opportunistic play, wherein you'll have to look at the cost and the price at which you'd be able to acquire. So there is -- we are focusing on getting 5-gigawatt as a capacity under the -- under operational projects, and that is doing well for us as of now.

Anuj Upadhyay

analyst
#60

And lastly, anything on the thermal space actually, which we are looking for an acquisition, because our balance sheet is one of the strongest in the industry. So any thought on that one?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#61

No, there is no plan to set up any thermal greenfield project. Any opportunities available for the acquisition, we are keen to look at, like SKS, kind of opportunities, SKS Power Generation opportunities. We are keen to look at.

Operator

operator
#62

Our next question is from the line of Sumit Kishore from Axis Capital.

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#63

I have 2 questions. My first question is, could you give us a sense of your LNG tie-up in terms of MMSCMD...

Operator

operator
#64

Sir, may I request you to use your handset sir. Your audio is muffled, sir.

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#65

Is it better now?

Operator

operator
#66

Slightly better, sir?

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#67

So my first question is on the LNG volumes. Could you give us a sense of the volume in MMSCMD instead of number of cargoes, it will help us do our calculations better. And so basically for the full year, on a full fiscal basis, from your PPA, from your off-take arrangement locally, how much MMSCMD of gas would be available on an annual basis? And how much is available via the cargo numbers that you mentioned?

Unknown Executive

executive
#68

Sumit, basically, 1 cargo is typically 3.2 TBTU. As far as the entire mathematic is concerned, would be helpful if we can do it offline, it will require some detailing on to that.

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#69

Got it. So 1 cargo is 3.2 -- what is the unit you mentioned?

Unknown Executive

executive
#70

Trillion British Thermal Units, TBTU.

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#71

Okay. Got it. Got it. The second question is -- can you please breakup this delta of INR 478 crores into LNG and merchants separately? And what is the total merchant volume in terms of generation that was sold in Q3 and 9 months of FY '24? And correspondingly, what is the total merchant gain in 9-month FY '24 and 3Q FY '24?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#72

See, basically, as we explained in the earlier call also that when we look at the -- whenever we look at the gas LNG, we have options of either selling the LNG or we generate the power and then sell in the merchant market. So lastly, it was better for us to -- economically better for us to sell LNG. This year, it is better for the -- to sell in the merchant. So we look at the combined not on a -- combined basis we look at both merchant and either -- it's either or basically kind of a situation. So either we sell LNG or we sell the power in the merchant markets. So we look at it in a combined basis.

Sumit Kishore

analyst
#73

Yes. But you would have, what is the total merchant units which were sold in 9-month period, if you can disclose that?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#74

We will provide that offline -- details offline. Currently, we don't have the right now numbers. But we will provide the information offline.

Operator

operator
#75

Our next question is from the line of Dhruv Muchhal from HDFC AMC.

Dhruv Muchhal

analyst
#76

My question was on the demand growth. So very healthy demand growth across the circles. This is also visible across the country. But just wanted to understand any incremental insights that you can give on demand. How much do you think is underlying based on your internal analysis? How much is probably do you think because of weather because it seems the weather was not very helpful this time, at least from -- probably be helpful from a demand perspective. So just some incremental insights that you can share what's driving this demand?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#77

Industrial demand is -- if you look at it's very good. If you -- I can give the breakup of the demand circle wise. For example, Ahmedabad is grown by about 6%. Surat and Dahej which is more of an industrial town, about 9% -- about 8% to 9% demand is growing. So I think industrial demand is growing pretty well. That is what we can say.

Unknown Executive

executive
#78

So I think, Dhruv, Ahmedabad is more of a residential whereas Surat and Dahej is more of industrial. So if I look at residential, which is Ahmedabad is around 6% and Industrial also is growing at 8%. So I mean, basically, it is both the demand -- or both the segments are performing well in terms of demand is concerned.

Dhruv Muchhal

analyst
#79

But any sense -- so industrial is understood, but any sense, is it whether -- I mean, in your internal assessment, how much is weather playing a role in this demand? Or is it not very significant?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#80

Definitely, weather is playing the role. If suppose in case of -- winter is not that good, I would say. I mean, in Ahmedabad is reasonably not that severe as compared to the last year. So demand is strong this winter in Ahmedabad also. So weather is playing the key role in -- for the demand.

Operator

operator
#81

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Paramvir from Avendus Spark.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#82

This is Bharani. My first question is on the...

Operator

operator
#83

Sir, may I request you to use your handset. You're not audible, sir.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#84

Is it better now?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#85

Yes.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#86

Yes. So I just want to find out how much are you expecting as PLF from DGEN in the next 6 months, that is till June with the new 5 cargoes that you have booked?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#87

We will not able to -- means, there is a -- we anticipate a very strong demand in the summer time, but exact numbers would be difficult to mention.

Unknown Executive

executive
#88

So Bharani, we typically don't give guidance per se on a strategic basis, as we discussed that we have booked cargoes, and we would look to book additional cargoes depending on how demand and the prices remain, but particular numbers will be very difficult for us to give.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#89

Okay. So you'll not be able to give how much megawatt this 5 cargoes can fire from DGEN. Is that possible to give?

Unknown Executive

executive
#90

No, I can tell you that 1 cargo is typically for 50 megawatts on for the full year. So basically, 1 cargo can generate electricity 50 megawatts every month for 12 months. That's the capacity of 1 cargo.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#91

If you are planning to operate only for 6 months, it can fire 100-megawatt for 6 months?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#92

That's right. That's right.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#93

100 megawatts per month for 6 months.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#94

Yes, that's right. Continuously for 6 months. Yes.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#95

Correct. Okay. So this is related to the first question. So how much would be the landed cost at $9.69 for these cargoes? And how much will be your variable cost per unit?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#96

It is a landed cost, $9.6.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#97

It will include the tax, transportation, so you're including all that?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#98

Yes, it includes the transportation also.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#99

Okay. Okay, my second question is on CapEx. So while you have given the guidance of INR 2,000 crores for franchise and license distribution. First question is how sustainable is this INR 1,500-odd crores for the Ahmedabad, Surat license distribution over the next 2 to 3 years, is it for 1 or 2 years? Or can we expect this over more time period?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#100

At least next 2, 3 years, it is sustainable.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#101

Okay. A second question on CapEx is how much CapEx would be renewables and separately hydrogen and other new areas will require in the next 2 to 3 years per annum?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#102

Renewable, it depends on the project we take. For example, this 300-megawatt solar project, we -- the project cost is about INR 1,600 crores. That is what we are going to spend. For SECI XII project, which is going to come before September '25, CapEx plan is about INR 2,500 crores. So those kind of a CapEx we plan to incur going forward. And if our product mix -- so 175 megawatts Airpower project cost is about INR 1,000 crores.

Unknown Executive

executive
#103

So Bharani, as of now, the projects which we have under pipeline, we expect to utilize CapEx or to do CapEx of around INR 2,500 crores per year for next 2 years. And depending on additional project wins, this number can go up.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#104

This INR 2,500 crores per year for next 2 years is on renewables, you're talking about, right?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#105

That's right.

Bharanidhar Vijayakumar

analyst
#106

Okay. And finally, on the same CapEx point, how much per year on the new initiatives like green hydrogen, et cetera?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#107

As of now, it is too early to comment. Since it is under conceptualization phase, it would be difficult to comment on that. As and when we take the final decision, we'll update on the CapEx part.

Operator

operator
#108

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Satyadeep Jain from Ambit Capital.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#109

Just a couple of questions, one on LNG. Just a clarification on Bharani's question also. When you say delivered cost of $9.7-something, is the delivered cost of gas to our gas plant that includes pipeline transportation, regasification, everything?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#110

It is up to the port. This is $9 is kind of a thing is up to the port level.

Unknown Executive

executive
#111

So one more thing. This is at the Dahej terminal, where we have regasification capacity. There is not much of transportation costs involved for the gas, which is landing at the Dahej port.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#112

Okay. But this does include regasification cost, right?

Unknown Executive

executive
#113

Yes. Yes.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#114

And is this some kind of opportunistic cargo you've been able to book compared to the port prices you see some discounted cargoes?

Unknown Executive

executive
#115

So typically, we slow tenders in the international market and then we book cargoes. So it typically is based on the import -- the international market prices.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#116

Okay. Just a second question on, any update on the progress on the application for thermal licensing in Maharashtra?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#117

So we have provided all information, we replied all queries. So we are waiting for the regulators to take it forward. So MSEDCL and regulatory has to take it forward. So we, in fact, I think, post-election some momentum we can see on this particular front.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#118

Okay. Just very quickly on the returns you mentioned, the returns are not attractive yet on solar when despite the fall in module prices and all, we're not seeing any improvement in the returns. And compared to that, when you say, RE RTC it's -- is it basically leasing some storage and then combining? Is it oversizing? What kind of RE RTC are you seeing greater returns in?

Unknown Executive

executive
#119

It's oversizing. So it's oversizing thing. So -- and tariff is better for RE RTC kind of projects. Typically, it depends on the location, which you've identified wherein you can get higher PLF for wind and solar, and then use that location for supplying RE RTC. So it is very specific to the locations which you have, and then you have to customize your solution for RE RTC. If it is a lower wind speed or lower radiation location, you will have to put some battery storage also, which would be costlier. And that's why we are identifying locations as Saurabh told earlier in the call that we are identifying locations for which can provide better solutions for RE RTC. And that's where we are competitive on the bidding stages and our IRR returns are also better.

Satyadeep Jain

analyst
#120

On the trend solar, wind and all, you're not seeing any improvement in IRR yet in pricing?

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#121

I think as of now, we have not seen much. It's a low teen kind of IRR, one can see. But in the case of this RE RTC kind of a solution, one, within IR is -- within and above, within IR is also possible.

Unknown Executive

executive
#122

So it is an opportunity play, if you look at Torrent Power 300-megawatt projects, wherein it was tied up when the model prices were around $0.19, but we were able to get better realization in modules because of this, the returns have improved significantly on that project. But it's more of an opportunistic play rather than taking a strategic call on that.

Operator

operator
#123

[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Anuj Upadhyay from Investec.

Anuj Upadhyay

analyst
#124

What would be the regulatory asset as on date?

Unknown Executive

executive
#125

So Anuj, I think regulatory assets, we typically disclose only on the year-end. It will be very difficult to give on a quarterly number because it keeps on changing depending on the prices at which you book your power. It's better to look at it on a yearly number.

Operator

operator
#126

[Operator Instructions] As there are no further questions, I would now like to hand the conference over to the management for closing comments.

Saurabh Mashruwala

executive
#127

Thank you very much for joining Torrent Power's earnings call. We wish everybody to stay safe and healthy. Thank you so much.

Operator

operator
#128

Thank you. On behalf of Torrent Power Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.

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