Solar and Wind Power Development Project

India: Solar and Wind Power Development Project

Project Name

Project Number

47920-014

Borrower / Company

Welspun Renewables Energy Limited

Country / Economy

India

Location

Nation-wide

Type or Modality of Assistance

7400

Equity

Ordinary capital resources

INR 2,963.42 million

Committed

Strategic Agendas

Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth

Drivers of Change

Private sector development

Sector / Subsector

Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar - Renewable energy generation - wind

Gender

Responsible ADB Department

Private Sector Operations Department

Responsible ADB Division

Portfolio Management Division, PSOD

Responsible ADB Officer

Taneja, Anshukant

Project Sponsor(s)

WELSPUN ENERGY LIMITED

Description

Welspun Renewables Energy Limited (WREL) is one of the leading solar power developers in India. The

company has 30 MW of operational solar projects, 50 MW under construction, and another 610 MW in

pipeline for implementation over 2013-2015. The project involves the funding of WREL's equity injection

in the solar projects that will reach financial close in 2013 72014; in the form of compulsory convertible

debentures (CCD) in WREL. This will be ADB's first mezzanine investment in the renewable space in

India, since the CCD instrument will be structured to fit in-between project-level senior secured debt and

WREL's equity in the cash waterfall and from a risk-return perspective. This innovative, financing is

intended to have a demonstration effect and help attract more much-needed growth capital in the Indian

solar sector. The deal team is in discussion with co-investors that may join ADB in this investment.

Objectives and Scope

ADB's assistance will:

(i) Support the government's policy to develop renewable energy sources;

(ii) Support a local renewable energy sponsor with good track record;

(iii) Catalyze private equity investment and facilitate a future IPO.

Status of Development Objectives

n/a

Status of Operation/Construction

As of 31 March 2014, the company had 328 MW of operational projects (308 MW of solar power projects and 20 MW of wind power projects). ADB's investments will help the company reach at least 600 MW of operational projects by March 2016.

Material Changes

n/a

Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The project is consistent with ADB's Strategy 2020. It relates to two of the strategy's five core pillars: infrastructure and environment. The strategy calls for ADB support to clean energy development to meet growing energy demands in a sustainable manner. The project will also contribute to ADB's operational goal of scaling up private sector development. The project is aligned with the India country partnership strategy, 20132017, which calls for 'investments in renewable energy development, particularly solar.

Safeguard Categories
Environment	B
Involuntary Resettlement	C
Indigenous Peoples	C

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects	The proposed equity investment is considered as general corporate finance in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009); it is classified category B for environment and category C for involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples. Although solar and wind power projects involve potential environmental impacts during construction and operation (e.g. potential water and land pollution), these impacts are site-specific, reversible and can be mitigated using tested mitigation measures. As required under the Safeguard Policy Statement, a corporate safeguards audit was conducted during due diligence. A corrective action plan which describes gap-filling measures at the corporate and project level was prepared based on the audit findings. WREL will be required to adopt an environmental and social management system (ESMS) satisfactory to ADB prior to ADB's investment. To ensure adequate implementation of its ESMS, WREL has agreed to develop its capacity to oversee the ESMS implementation at the corporate level and at the project level.
Involuntary Resettlement	-
Indigenous Peoples	-
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation	n/a

Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation
Concept Clearance	22 Jul 2013
Credit Committee Meeting	06 Nov 2013
Approval	12 Dec 2013
PDS Creation Date	15 Jul 2013
Last PDS Update	23 Sep 2014

Project Page	https://www.adb.org//projects/47920-014/main
Request for Information	http://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form?subject=47920-014
Date Generated	06 June 2023

ADB provides the information contained in this project data sheet (PDS) solely as a resource for its users without any form of assurance. Whilst ADB tries to provide high quality content, the information are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. ADB specifically does not make any warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any such information.