Tracking the pact sealed by Sterlite Power and AMP Capital

AMP Capital and Sterlite Power have signed a deal to develop power transmission projects in India.

This is a substantial and a significant deal in the power transmission sector, coming in from AMP Capital, a large global fund with a substantial amount of investment done in infrastructure across the world - USD 136 billion of total assets under management (AUM) across the globe and over USD 20 billion of infrastructure investments.

So far in India, the fund has managed to only invest USD 200 million after many years of presence but in one shot, USD 150 million has been committed to Sterlite Power’s underway transmission projects. Sharat Goyal of AMP Capital and Pratik Agarwal of Sterlie Power discussed this.

“This is a very good deal, we will build a billion dollar of assets together over the next two to two and a half years and then eventually look for ways to monetize those assets as Sterlite has been doing. We have a fantastic partnership with KKR at IndiGrid. As per our agreement, we have a framework deal under which we will see at least two more assets to IndiGrid and post which both the parties have decided that they will work together exploring new opportunities but don’t have any commitment beyond the assets that are already in the framework deal,” said Agarwal.

“Sterlite will look for opportunities to work with IndiGrid in times to come,” Agarwal mentioned.

The payment security for power transmission has always been strong, he said.

“The distribution sector is the weak link, we would like that sector to be reformed. I am very encouraged by the privatization announcements and various announcements that the government has made including payment securities but I am hoping for a sweeping reform in the distribution sector starting with this budget and beyond which is the ultimate requirement to take India – to go from 1,000 units per capita consumption to at least a 3,000 units per capita consumption,” Agarwal said.

“We are looking at investing in India through two strategies, one is an infra equity strategy and the other is an infra debt strategy. We have highlighted or identified sectors where we will be looking at opportunities. First one is telecommunication space, we also see huge opportunity in energy transportation space arising out of the thrust from electric mobility and that is probably an area where bidding auction route maybe the preferred route for the government,” said Goyal.

In terms of aviation sector, Goyal said, “Despite COVID-19 we continue to believe in the long-term attractiveness of Indian airports and there are bids which are in the pipeline, we will explore them, we will carefully examine each opportunity as it arises.”