Suzlon Energy Limited (SUZLON)

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Summary from July 2024

Suzlon Energy Limited Q1 FY25 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Key HighlightsDate of Call: July 24, 2024 • Management Present: Group CEO JP Chalasani, Group CFO Himanshu Mody • Performance: • Best quarter in seven years • Record order book: 3.8 GW • Revenue increase: 50% YoY to ₹2,016 crores • Profit after tax: 200% rise to ₹302 crores

Operational Focus • Emphasis on: • Quality orders • Timely execution • High operational standards • Successful commissioning of new S144 wind turbine model

Wind Sector Insights • Projected growth for Indian wind sector: • 5-5.5 GW in FY25 • 6.5-7 GW in FY26 • 8-9 GW by FY28 • Current manufacturing capacity: 3.5-4 GW/year

Financial Clarifications • Revenue and costs recorded for all turbines supplied • Payment cycles linked to contract milestones • Recent penalty notice to be recognized as a cost only upon materialization

Market Dynamics • Significant bidding activity: • 3.7 GW awarded in June • 20 GW in pending bids • Focus on public sector bids, particularly from NTPC

Challenges and Strategies • Project execution challenges due to: • Land availability • Connectivity issues • Need for capacity building in balance of plant (BOP) capabilities

Future Outlook • Manufacturing capacity expansion planned for FY26 • Contribution margins projected in mid to late teens percentage-wise • Aim to maintain over 30% market share in wind capacity sector

Siemens Gamesa Impact • Minimal effect on Suzlon's market share from Siemens Gamesa's exit • Offshore wind projects still several years away from execution

Compliance and Penalties • Automation of systems to reduce human error in compliance • No non-compliance issues found by legal firm Khaitan, only improvement suggestions

Conclusion • Call concluded with an invitation for further investor questions.

Summary from June 2024

Date and ParticipantsDate: June 9, 2024 • Leaders: Group CEO JP Chalasani, Group CFO Himanshu Mody

Key Topics DiscussedResignation of Independent Director Marc • Resignation not due to financial/legal issues; focused on governance and transparency. • Management expressed gratitude for Marc's contributions. • Reassured investors of no compliance lapses.

Operational and Financial Turnaround • Chalasani highlighted constructive contributions from board members. • No financial irregularities reported. • Management committed to business improvement.

Governance and Transparency Issues • Concerns raised by Marc addressed; issues are procedural, not operational. • Changes implemented for better governance, including advanced board presentations. • Continuous improvement in governance practices emphasized.

Board Structure and Future ChangesCurrent Composition: Four independent directors, three promoter directors. • Focus on Diversity: Acknowledgment of the need for improved diversity and transparency. • Future Appointments: Discussions on appointing new independent directors to occur soon.

Investor Concerns AddressedDividends: Decisions on dividends will align with the business plan for FY’25. • Stakeholder Relationship and Risk Management Committees: Recent meetings were normal; no issues reported.

Conclusion • Management expressed confidence in the board's structure and direction. • Commitment to addressing investor concerns and maintaining transparency.

Summary from May 2024

Suzlon Energy Limited Q4 and FY 2024 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call Details • Date: May 24, 2024 • Participants: • Group CEO J.P. Chalasani • Group CFO Himanshu Mody • Moderator: Mohit Kumar (ICICI Securities)

Key HighlightsRecord Order Book: • 3.3 gigawatts with significant growth in wind installations in India. • 75% year-on-year growth in installations (882 megawatts for FY 2024).

Financial Performance: • 24% increase in EBITDA. • 428% growth in profit after tax (PAT) before exceptional items. • Consolidated net worth: INR 3,920 crores. • Net cash position: INR 1,148 crores.

Q&A Session InsightsInterest Expense: • Higher due to a one-time processing fee and additional costs from bank guarantees.

Future Projections: • Wind installations for FY'25 projected between 4.5 to 5 gigawatts. • Anticipated wind capacity in India could reach 9 to 10 gigawatts by FY'27.

Challenges: • Connectivity delays and land acquisition issues impacting project timelines.

Strategic FocusEPC vs. Non-EPC Projects: • One-third of the order book is for EPC projects; two-thirds are non-EPC. • Shift towards EPC projects for better control over project execution.

Land Acquisition: • Early acquisition of land to expedite project delivery and reduce costs. • Exclusive rights secured for projects in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Future Capacity and Market OutlookInstalled Capacity Goal: • Aim for 100 gigawatts by 2030, with significant capacity additions expected post-FY'27.

Green Hydrogen Initiatives: • Anticipated growth in demand over the next 2-3 years. • Plans to supply green hydrogen alongside renewable energy projects.

EPC Market Strategy: • Targeting an increase in EPC market share to maintain project control.

Operations and Maintenance (OMS)Market Share Growth: • Strong market share expected to grow with service contracts on sold machines. • Cautious expansion into multi-brand acquisitions to enhance OMS market share.

Conclusion • Management expressed confidence in Suzlon's strengthened position and future prospects, inviting further inquiries from investors.

Summary from February 2024

Suzlon Energy Limited Q3 FY24 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call DetailsDate: February 5, 2024 • Call Date: January 31, 2024 • Key Executives: • J.P. Chalasani (Group CEO) • Himanshu Mody (Group CFO) • Moderator: Sudhanshu Bansal (JM Financial)

Positive Outlook for Wind Energy • Government initiatives targeting 100 GW of wind capacity by 2030. • Order book at 3,157 MW focusing on quality and improved margins.

Financial PerformanceConsolidated PAT: Increased 2.6x year-on-year before exceptional items. • Net Cash Position: INR 719 crores.

Execution Concerns • Low execution of 170 MW in Q3 against a large order book. • Delays attributed to long-term project timelines, client rescheduling, and internal issues. • Expected improvement in execution moving forward.

Company Strategy and Market Position • Does not provide direct market guidance or participate in tenders. • Plans to participate in PSU tenders as financial position improves. • EPC order book at approximately 28%, offering end-to-end EPC services.

Industry Challenges • Capacity addition struggles due to land acquisition and execution capabilities. • Secured cranes for upcoming projects. • Supply challenges in converting turbines into commissioned capacity.

Profitability and Market Trends • Low profitability in WTG segment due to not reaching break-even of 600 MW. • Expected profitability improvement in Q4 with increased deliveries. • Under-subscription in wind tenders reflects a broader industry trend.

Future Capacity Outlook • Current year expected to achieve 3.2 to 3.5 GW; potential for 5 to 6 GW in FY '25. • Execution constraints primarily related to land availability.

Hybrid Projects and Market Engagement • Open to hybrid projects but prefer focusing on wind. • Will consider hybrid projects if clients prefer a single party for both wind and solar.

Infrastructure and Land Acquisition • Acknowledged potential crane availability issues as project scales increase. • Land acquisition efficiency varies by state, impacting project timelines.

Order Book and Market Share • Holds 22-23% market share in 2 MW turbines and 30% in commissioning. • Non-participation in PSU orders not negatively impacting order book.

Conclusion • The call concluded with clarifications on order book figures and the distinction between installation and delivery, with no further questions raised.

Summary from November 2023

Suzlon Energy Limited Q2 FY24 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call Details • Date: November 2, 2023 • Participants: • Group CEO JP Chalasani • Group CFO Himanshu Mody • Moderator: Ashwani Sharma (ICICI Securities)

Key HighlightsGovernment Policies: Positive impact on wind energy sector from Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and new bidding regime. • Order Book: Healthy order book of 1,613 megawatts, focusing on quality orders with better margins. • Financial Performance: • Net debt reduced from INR 13,000 crores (March 2020) to INR 600 crores. • Consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of INR 136 crores for Q2 FY24, up from INR 53 crores year-on-year.

Q&A Session InsightsExecution Guidance: H2 execution expected to be double that of H1, aligning with industry trends. • WTG Segment Loss: EBIT loss attributed to depreciation costs. • Offshore Tender Participation: Suzlon to act as equipment supplier, not a direct bidder. • Market Share Concerns: Defined by delivery capability rather than market size; potential benefits from competitors' challenges. • Solar Power Involvement: Focus on wind turbines; hybrid projects considered if required. • EPC Services: Increased demand due to limited players; every turbine contract includes Operations and Maintenance (O&M). • Future Capacity Projections: • 4.5 to 5 gigawatts for FY '24. • 6 to 7 gigawatts for FY '25. • Order Book Execution: Current order book expected to be executed by March 2025.

Additional DiscussionsCollaboration with IPPs: Ongoing partnerships; less common pre-bid tie-ups. • C&I Segment Opportunity: Two-thirds of the order book comprises C&I projects. • Finance Costs: Expected decline in Q3; need for better working capital management. • Capital Expenditure: Commercial supply of three-megawatt turbine molds has begun. • Competitive Landscape: Challenges from Chinese suppliers due to execution and local manufacturing complexities.

Conclusion • The call concluded with a strong outlook for Suzlon amidst favorable market conditions, emphasizing their focus on quality orders, operational capacity, and strategic partnerships.

Summary from July 2023

Suzlon Energy Limited Q1 FY24 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call Details • Date: July 25, 2023 • Participants: Group CEO J.P. Chalasani, Group CFO Himanshu Mody, hosted by ICICI Securities • Focus: Q1 FY24 earnings and outlook for the wind and renewable energy sector

Key HighlightsPositive Sector Outlook • Government initiatives targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 • Healthy order book of 1,582 MW • Emphasis on quality orders and service business growth

Financial Performance • Consolidated net worth: INR 1,297 crores • Gross debt reduced to INR 1,806 crores • Profit after tax for Q1 FY24: INR 93 crores, a recovery from previous losses

Q&A Session InsightsStandalone Margins • Clarification that recent margin uptick is not indicative of future performance • FY '23 margins suggested as a benchmark for FY '24

Execution Challenges • Concerns raised about low execution rates due to supply challenges and climatic conditions • 50% of the order book consists of 3-MW orders, with supply expected to ramp up in Q4

Market Share and Targets • Goal to maintain 25-30% market share in commissioning for FY '24 • Acknowledgment of operational hindrances due to excessive rains and flooding

Profitability Concerns • Discussion on profitability despite a healthy order book • Anticipation of improved volumes and profitability with 3-MW turbine supply starting in Q4

Industry Capacity Additions • Estimated capacity additions of 4-5 GW for the year • Confirmation that 3-MW turbine supply is on track

Fundraising and Debt Management • Recent fundraising aimed at reducing debt and easing working capital constraints • Future capital raises likely to focus on monetizing existing assets

C&I Segment Response • Over 55% of the order book from the Commercial & Industrial segment • Anticipated increased demand as industries transition to renewable energy

Fixed Costs and O&M Margins • Fixed costs expected to remain stable with only inflationary increases • Target margin of around 40% for the O&M segment, despite year-on-year EBIT margin decline

Raw Material Price Volatility • Input costs typically pass-through in contracts, mitigating risks

Capital Expenditure Projections • Sustenance capex for FY '24: INR 100 crores • Additional INR 200 crores for expanding turbine capacity

Standalone vs. Consolidated Performance • Acknowledgment of standalone financial losses compared to consolidated profits • Suggestions for cost-cutting measures discussed

Conclusion • Management emphasized long-term performance over short-term fluctuations and expressed optimism for future growth and profitability. Further questions were welcomed for follow-up discussions.

Summary from June 2023

Suzlon Energy Limited Q4 and FY 2023 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call Details • Date: June 1, 2023 • Hosted by: Emkay Global Financial Services • Key Management: • J.P. Chalasani (Group CEO) • Himanshu Mody (Group CFO)

Wind Energy Sector Insights • Positive momentum due to government initiatives for 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. • Target of 100 GW from wind energy. • Significant order book of 1,542 MW, highest since 2019.

Financial Performance • Positive consolidated net worth: INR 1,099 crores. • Net debt reduced by over 90% to INR 1,180 crores. • Positive PAT of INR 167 crores for FY 2023, marking a turnaround.

Market Share and Execution • Projected market share decline attributed to incomplete turbine commissioning. • Aim for 30% market share in the wind energy sector. • Focus on quality orders and execution.

Working Capital and Expenditure • No significant challenges in securing funding. • FY '24 capital expenditure limited to maintenance; potential increases in FY '25.

Turbine Segment Profitability • Positive EBITDA despite negative EBIT; potential EBITDA margins of 8-9%. • Concerns about profitability addressed with a focus on maintaining margins.

Offshore Projects Readiness • Preparing for demand in offshore installations, particularly larger turbines. • Government support for offshore wind energy acknowledged.

Order Book and Revenue Guidance • Confirmed order book of 1,500 MW, with over 55% expected to contribute in FY '24. • Significant sale of non-core assets expected in FY '24.

Policy Changes and Market Dynamics • Shift from E-reverse auctions to closed bidding to stabilize tariffs. • Increased focus on the commercial and industrial segment, contributing nearly 50% of the order book.

Competition and Future Outlook • Key competitors identified: Envision, Siemens Gamesa, GE. • Emphasis on a balanced energy mix and maintaining a market share of 25-30% in commissioned capacity. • O&M services growth expected as new turbines come into operation.

Summary from February 2023

Suzlon Energy Limited Q3 FY '23 Earnings Conference Call Summary

Conference Call Details • Date: February 10, 2023 • Hosted by: ICICI Securities • Key Participants: • Ashwani Kumar (Group CEO) • Himanshu Mody (Group CFO)

Government Initiatives • Commitment to 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. • Target of 140 GW for wind energy. • Invitation for bids for 8 GW of wind capacity annually from 2023 to 2030.

Company Performance Highlights • First positive consolidated net worth in nine years. • Consolidated PAT of INR 78 crores (over 100% growth YoY). • Delivery volume of 482 MW and revenue of INR 4,257 crores for nine months. • Significant cost control measures, including a 56% reduction in net finance costs.

Order Book and Financial Strategy • Current order book: 782 MW confirmed. • Plans to use INR 300 crores from rights issue for debt repayment. • Outstanding cash of INR 600 crores pending from rights issues.

Operational Insights • Installation of first S144 3.x MW turbine in Tamil Nadu with positive performance. • No significant capital investments expected in the next year. • Active state auctions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

International Operations • Approximately 1 GW under international operations with lower margins. • No hybrid wind equipment orders received yet.

Non-Core Asset Sales and Financial Negotiations • Progress on divesting identified non-core assets. • Ongoing negotiations with financial institutions to ease working capital constraints.

Market Position and Competitors • Top competitors: Siemens Gamesa, Suzlon, and Envision. • Market share reported at 42% for the last year.

Management Transition • Vinod Tanti appointed as Chairman and Managing Director. • Girish Tanti returned to lead various functions.

Future Outlook • No plans to enter the solar energy market; focus on existing order book. • Optimism about future order execution and growth in the wind energy sector. • Ongoing discussions with Adani Group regarding order flow.

Conclusion • Management expressed confidence in maintaining market share and executing future orders effectively.