



Power Grid: steady returns ride power boom, but debt clouds outlook
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd, the top power transmission utility, sits at the heart of India’s electricity network, moving bulk power across states and linking generation with distribution.Its business runs on long-term, 35-year transmission contracts under a regulated tariff framework set by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This “cost-plus” model ensures recovery of fixed costs, including a 15.5% return on equity, provided availability norms are met, insulating the company from demand and pricing volatility.The question for investors now: with structural tailwinds intact but fresh borrowing on the table, does the stock still offer a compelling risk-reward?Structural tailwindIndia’s power sector is entering a prolonged growth phase, driven by rising demand and a rapid shift toward renewables.Peak electricity demand continues to scale new highs and is expected to climb steadily over the next decade. The International Energy Agency expects India to lead global energy demand growth through 2035, with total demand rising by more than 15 exajoules, nearly matching the combined increase of China and Southeast Asia.Multiple structural drivers are at play: air-conditioning, electric mobility, data centres, infrastructure buildout and urbanisation.The runway remains long.
India’s per-capita energy consumption is just 23% of China’s and about 35% of the global average, leaving significant headroom for growth.Policy support is strong. The government is targeting universal access to modern clean energy by 2047, with total energy demand expected to double over 25 years.
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