Bajel Projects Ltd, formerly part of Bajaj Electricals Ltd under the EPC segment, is India’s leading EPC player in the power transmission & distribution (T&D) segment. In this exclusive interaction, we have Rajesh Ganesh, MD & CEO, Bajel Projects Ltd, highlighting the several firsts that the company achieved in fiscal year 2024-25. Rajesh Ganesh exudes confidence that Bajel Projects, thanks to its engineering expertise, execution excellence, and dedication to safety and quality, is poised to play a major role in India’s power T&D sector.
Bajel Projects has been consistently securing new orders in FY25. What is the company’s current order book?
Yes, FY25 has been a pivotal year for Bajel Projects Ltd, with strong order inflows reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in the power T&D space. We’re witnessing continued momentum, driven by our proven capabilities in delivering technically complex and time-sensitive projects across the country.
Driven by a healthy and expanding pipeline of projects, our order book stands at Rs.2,792 crore as on December 2024, further bolstered by additional orders secured in Q4FY25 amounting to approximately Rs.1,047 crore.
We have also recently secured new orders of around Rs.400 crore, including a 765kV double-circuit line for Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) in Andhra Pradesh, aiming at integration of renewable energy. We have also won two 400kV transmission system projects in Maharashtra for power evacuation from a solar-wind hybrid plant.
This reflects the industry’s strong faith in our engineering expertise, execution excellence, and dedication to safety and quality.
What about project completions? What have been recent achievements?
While we continue to build a healthy book, our focus remains on seamless execution. Some of the major achievements include the successful and early completion of the Navsari – Magarwada 400kV transmission line for PGCIL, which achieved over 1.5 million safe man-hours and set new benchmarks in execution speed and safety compliance.
The Raipur Pool–Dhamtari 400kV double circuit line, a challenging 88.65 km project completed under tough right-of-way and terrain conditions, showcased our innovation in tower design and project delivery under pressure.
These projects highlight our execution capabilities and also align with India’s broader mission of enhancing grid capacity under the National Electricity Plan. Bajel Projects remains committed to powering the nation’s energy future through scalable, sustainable, and high-quality infrastructure solutions.
We also learn that Bajel won a 400kV AIS substation EPC order. Tell us more.
Yes, Bajel Projects secured a 400kV AIS (air insulated substation) EPC order in the last quarter. This significant milestone involves the construction of a 400/220kV substation in Solapur, Maharashtra. The contract was awarded by Solapur Transmission Ltd, a project SPV of Torrent Power Ltd.
Securing the EPC contract for a 400kV greenfield substation in Solapur, Maharashtra, is a major accomplishment for Bajel Projects. The substation’s complete design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, civil works, testing, and commissioning are all included in the project. It also entails building two 400kV line bays connecting PGCIL’s existing substation in Solapur. A major milestone in Bajel Projects’ growing capacity for high-voltage infrastructure projects, this project is expected to be finished within 15 months of the letter of award being issued. This achievement definitely strengthens Bajel Projects’ portfolio.
We also understand that Bajel clinched its first data centre-related order in September 2024. What is the scope of works, and how do you rate the opportunity for similar orders in future given the significant build-up of data centres in India?
Indeed, Bajel Projects, in September 2024, achieved a major milestone in its growth into the data centre segment by securing its first order in this domain. The design and construction of a 220/33kV GIS substation and transmission line extension for a colocation data centre in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, are included in the project’s scope of work. The project involves the installation of associated lattice towers and monopoles, laying conductors, and ensuring reliable, efficient, and round-the-clock power supply.
India’s data centre market is expanding quickly thanks to government initiatives, growing digitalisation, and cloud adoption. As per Economic Survey, India’s data centre market is expected to significantly grow from $4.5 billion in 2023 to $11.6 billion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.98 per cent. India’s data centre capacity to increase by 12–13 times to 17 GW by 2030. The expansion of internet usage, the introduction of 5G technology, localization laws, increasing use of AI, and the growing need for cloud services are some of the factors driving this growth.
Bajel Projects is in a strong position to benefit from the rising demand for data centres considering these trends. The company is a trusted partner for global data centre developers looking for dependable and sustainable power infrastructure because of its strategic focus on GIS and monopoles as well as its experience with EPC projects.
Especially in the context of data centre projects, but also otherwise, how is Bajel building its competence and expertise in the GIS substation field?
We are leveraging our strong foundation in EHV substations, backed by over 10 years of experience and the successful commissioning of more than 40 AIS substations. At Bajel Projects, we are strategically building our competence and expertise in the GIS substation field through a multi-pronged approach. We recognize the growing demand for reliable power infrastructure in critical sectors like data centres.
We have built our expertise in brownfield and greenfield substation expansions and now we are focusing on strategically building our credentials in high-voltage GIS substations.
Industry observers generally feel that the gestation period for power transmission projects (lines and substations) has generally reduced over the years, largely owing to betterment of technology and project execution techniques. Please discuss.
The power transmission sector has witnessed a significant reduction in project gestation periods, largely driven by advancements in technology and streamlined execution methodologies. Innovations such as the adoption of monopole structures, offering faster installation and reduced right-of-way requirements, have played a key role. Furthermore, the integration of cutting-edge techniques like drone stringing for conductor installation and LiDAR- based surveys for rapid and precise route planning has revolutionized project timelines. These technological leaps, coupled with streamlined regulatory approvals and enhanced stakeholder coordination, enable us to ensure faster commissioning of transmission lines and substations, while upholding the highest standards of quality and reliability.
We are aware of the overseas expansion. Could you elaborate on the strategic focus in Africa and whether there is a specific reason behind it?
Bajel Projects’ focus on Africa is a strategic move aligned with the continent’s growing demand for power infrastructure. Sub-Saharan Africa’s electricity demand is expected to increase by over 80 per cent by 2040, driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and a shift toward renewable energy, according to International Energy Agency (IEA). Yet nearly 600 million people in the region still lack access to electricity, creating an urgent need for robust transmission and distribution networks.
With deep expertise in high-voltage transmission lines and monopole solutions, Bajel Projects is well-equipped to serve these markets. Its recent success in executing complex 400kV projects in India under challenging conditions mirrors the kind of technical capability in demand across African nations. Governments and utilities in Africa are actively seeking experienced EPC partners to deliver cost-effective, high-quality infrastructure.
Have you commissioned any project in Africa recently?
The project, involving three key transmission lines (3.5 km, 7.5 km, and 2.5 km), will improve grid reliability and support Lusaka’s growing power demand. Despite operating in a densely populated urban environment with logistical challenges, Bajel Projects achieved 116,642 safe man-hours and zero major incidents, demonstrating execution excellence.
Bajel’s strong track record with clients like PGCIL, combined with its emphasis on local capacity-building and safety excellence, positions it as a credible player for international partnerships. Africa, thus, represents not just a new market, but a strategic growth avenue aligned with Bajel Projects’ global ambitions and its commitment to enabling energy access in emerging economies. We also keep on exploring other regions such as Middle East and Latin America for opportunities.
What would be your company’s key business growth drivers?
With India committed to augmenting its non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity generation capacity to over 500 GW by 2030 there is a significant opportunity for Bajel Projects to contribute to the development of power T&D infrastructure that supports renewable energy integration.
Overall, India’s electricity demand is experiencing rapid growth, driven by economic expansion, increasing urbanization, and rising temperatures leading to higher cooling needs. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects India’s electricity demand to grow at an average annual rate of 6.3 per cent until 2027, exceeding the 5 per cent average growth from 2015-2024. This has resulted in India’s peak electricity demand rising from 148 GW in 2014 to 250 GW in 2024.
Reports indicate that despite the rapid growth in RE capacity, the potential for evening power shortages in the coming years due to the intermittency of RE and constraints in baseload capacity, highlighting the ongoing need for strategic energy planning and infrastructure development to ensure reliable power supply across the nation.
How do you see India’s policy framework supporting the growth of power T&D infrastructure?
Yes, India’s power T&D sector is transforming, supported by a range of progressive government policies and reforms aimed at strengthening the grid, enabling renewable energy integration, and opening access to private players. These reforms present significant growth opportunities for EPC companies like Bajel Projects.
For instance, CEA’s National Electricity Plan (Transmission), 2023–27 projects a requirement of over 1 lakh ckm of new transmission lines and 770,000 MVA of additional transformation capacity by 2027.
The Green Energy Corridor–Phase II launched by MNRE, GEC targets 10,750 ckm of transmission lines and 27,500 MVA of substations to evacuate renewable energy.
As overall support, the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan ensures faster project approvals and integrated planning of transmission corridors, especially around industrial and renewable energy zones.
As a leading EPC contractor, what new dimensions do you see in the power T&D value chain?
Innovations in smart grid technology, energy storage solutions, and the adoption of AI for grid management are fundamentally transforming the power T&D sector. Bajel Projects is well-positioned to leverage these advancements, including the development and deployment of advanced infrastructure like monopole structures and high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) conductors, as well as the implementation of efficient construction techniques such as drone-based stringing and LiDAR surveys. By integrating these cutting-edge solutions, Bajel Projects can offer enhanced grid reliability, efficiency, and overall performance.
All project photographs seen in this interview relate to those executed by Bajel Projects Ltd in India and abroad.
