ACME Solar Holdings Ltd
Q3 FY25 Earnings Call Analysis
Power
fundraise: Yescapex: Yesrevenue: Category 2margin: Category 3orderbook: Yes
💰fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- For FY26 capex (~INR 12,000 crores), funding is planned with 75-80% debt and 20-25% equity.
- INR 3,000 crores equity portion for FY26 capex is partially drawn; some will be used for this year projects and the rest for next year.
- Undrawn securitization proceeds of around INR 1,000 crores and upcoming refinancing adding another INR 1,000 crores are available.
- Operating cash flows (PAT plus tax depreciation) generate around INR 260-275 crores annually, supporting equity needs.
- For FY27, with similar capex (~INR 12,000-13,000 crores), equity funding sources are expected from operational cash flows and refinancing.
- About 80% of signed PPA projects already have loan documents ready; some first disbursements are made.
- Refinancing efforts have reduced interest rates (around 8% floating) and are ongoing, which will improve cash flow and reduce funding cost.
🏗️capex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- FY 2026 Capex Target: INR 12,000 crores with 75-80% debt and 20-25% equity funding.
- FY 2027 Capex Plan: INR 12,000-13,000 crores anticipated with similar debt-equity ratio.
- INR 3,000 crores equity already available in the balance sheet for current projects; some equity portion reserved for next year's projects.
- Funding sources include undrawn securitization proceeds (~INR 1,000 crores), refinancing proceeds (~INR 1,000 crores), and operating cash flows (PAT plus tax depreciation generating ~INR 260-275 crores annually).
- Capex focus is on solar-heavy configurations, batteries (5 GWh ordered, significant capex expected starting January), and Indian solar modules.
- Battery energy storage system (BESS) investments include 1 GWh expected to generate INR 170 crores in early revenues.
- Financing includes INR 7,000 crores recently secured for 680 MW FDRE projects, enhancing cost efficiency.
- Strategic focus on reducing capex by optimizing equipment procurement and installation timelines.
📊revenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- ACME Solar plans to commission 450 MW of renewable energy capacity in FY26, with 378 MW already commissioned and 72 MW under advanced construction (page 4).
- Operational portfolio now stands at approx. 2,918 MW, targeting annual steady-state project EBITDA of INR 2,025-2,075 crores, yielding ~14%-15% EBITDA margin (page 5).
- Under construction portfolio extends to around 4.5 GW including signed PPAs of 2.3 GW (page 5).
- New projects won totaling 720 MW capacity which will contribute to near-term growth (page 5).
- Battery energy storage system (BESS) operations (1 GWh) expected from Q4 FY26, providing additional annual EBITDA upside of ~INR 170 crores (page 4).
- Early commissioning of projects like Sikar has a minor impact (1.5%-2%) on annual revenue but overall beneficial (page 20).
- Overall, the company aims to maintain around 14%-15% EBITDA yield, driven by growth in solar, wind, and battery storage integration.
📈margin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- ACME Solar targets commissioning 450 MW renewable energy capacity in FY26, on track with 378 MW done and 72 MW under advanced construction.
- Operational portfolio capable of delivering annual EBITDA between INR 2,025 to 2,075 crores, with a stable EBITDA margin of ~14%-15%.
- Merchant 1 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) operations from Q4 FY26 expected to generate additional annual EBITDA of ~INR 170 crores.
- The company maintains a ROCE target of 14%-15% for new projects, ensuring attractive risk-adjusted returns.
- Continued cost optimization and capital efficiency through increased use of domestic modules, optimized debt-equity mix (75-80% debt), and reduced capex requirements with solar-heavy configurations.
- Interest rate reductions and refinancing efforts are expected to improve net profits and cash flows.
- With ongoing project wins and expansions, including 5.1 GWh BESS orders and 7,390 MW total portfolio, ACME is well positioned for steady profit and EPS growth.
📋orderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
- ACME Solar has an under-construction portfolio of around 4.5 gigawatts, including 2.3 gigawatts with signed PPAs.
- During the recent quarter, they won new projects totaling 720 megawatts: 50 MW FDRE with Tata Power and 670 MW solar plus BESS.
- The operational portfolio stands at approximately 2,918 megawatts.
- About 720 MW of new capacity won, but portfolio size increased only by 420 MW due to removal of a 300 MW NTPC project.
- The 42 gigawatt capacity awarded in FY24 and FY25 had about 6-6.5 GW still pending PPA signing (SECI) with improvements expected.
- ACME is in advanced discussions for several PPAs, expecting signings soon, with no cancellations anticipated given attractive tariffs and state demands.
- The company manages connectivity timelines actively, with maximum expected project delays limited to one quarter within PPA timelines.
