We are continuously building capabilities to take on more complex projects: Kshema Power
- January 1, 2026
Chennai-based Kshema Power India Pvt Ltd is a longstanding EPC firm specializing in renewable energy infrastructure, with a growing presence in power T&D infrastructure. We have Narayan Kumar, CEO, Kshema Power, discussing the company’s growth plans in the power T&D space. He notes that Kshema Power is striving to take on more complex power transmission projects and to that effect is continuously building capabilities in monopole structures, specialized tower designs, and GIS substations. Entering the power transmission development space through the TBCB framework is also on the company’s agenda, observes Narayan Kumar.
We understand that Kshema Power does EPC in the field of renewable energy, and it is also engaged in EPC of power T&D works. Currently, what is the broad share of power T&D-related activities like transmission lines and substations, in Kshema’s overall operations?
While wind and renewable EPC form a significant part of our portfolio, our transmission & distribution (T&D) business is an equally strong and steadily expanding vertical. At present, T&D contributes a major share of our engineering and construction workload, with specialist expertise in 132kV to 400kV transmission lines and both AIS and GIS substations.
The power T&D segment is further set for continued growth as grid strengthening becomes essential for large-scale renewable integration across India. Although precise market share is difficult to quantify due to varying project scopes, Kshema Power is widely recognized as one of the leading players in this sector by consistently delivering high-quality, complex T&D solutions.
Speaking of transmission lines, we understand that securing right-of-way poses a serious concern for both owners and contractors. Nevertheless, do you see any improvement in ground reality over the recent years?
Right-of-way challenges and crop compensation issues have always been a concern in transmission EPC. Still, over recent years we have seen better coordination with state agencies, streamlined compensation processes, and a well-structured stakeholder engagement framework.
While implementation issues remain, especially in densely populated and congested regions, the overall ground situation has improved with mature policies and better cooperation.
What have been evolving techniques in the field of power transmission EPC that have contributed to faster and safer project execution?
Noteworthy technological advancements have reshaped how transmission EPC projects are executed today. Major improvements have been seen through:
- Advanced survey tools, including LiDAR-based route optimization
- Mechanized erection methods for tower and structure assembly
- Modern tensioning equipment that enhances safety and speeds up stringing
- Adoption of monopole structures, especially in urban and congested corridors, enabling faster installation, reduced land requirement, and minimal disruption
- Digital project monitoring systems that provide real-time progress visibility
These innovations together ensure greater precision, higher safety standards, and accelerated project execution.
What comes to your mind as the most challenging power transmission line project undertaken by Kshema? What were the challenges and how were they surmounted?
One of our most challenging projects involved a transmission line through highly congested and sensitive areas, where access and logistics required exceptional planning. The project also demanded working within narrow corridors, complex tower micro-siting, and multiple regulatory approvals. We successfully overcame these challenges through meticulous planning, phased execution, close community coordination, and strong supervision, showcasing Kshema Power’s ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, even under demanding conditions.
We understand that availability of local manpower for power transmission line erection and stringing can also pose challenges. What has been your company’s experience?
Local manpower conditions vary greatly by region. In remote areas, the availability of skilled workers can be limited; in industrial corridors, competition for manpower is high.
Kshema addresses this via:
- Local workforce training, including tower erection, stringing, and substation installation
- Deploying experienced core teams to maintain quality
- Blended manpower models, integrating local workers with highly skilled personnel
This approach has helped us build a reliable execution ecosystem across multiple states.
Please summarise Kshema’s cumulative achievement in the field of substation EPC.
Kshema Power has delivered multiple AIS and GIS substations across various voltage levels, supporting both renewable evacuation and utility strengthening programmes. We undertake the entire spectrum from engineering and procurement to installation, testing, and commissioning, ensuring reliable grid integration.
With every project, we strengthen our technical expertise and specialized capabilities in substation EPC, enabling faster and more efficient infrastructure rollout.
We perceive that power distribution also offers immense opportunity, especially through smart metering and loss-reduction works under RDSS. Do you have plans of diversifying into power distribution?
Yes, the power distribution sector, particularly under RDSS, presents strong opportunities in smart metering, digitalisation, and infrastructure upgrades. We are actively evaluating this domain and building internal readiness by focusing on technology partnerships, skilled teams, and operational frameworks. Our aim is to enter the distribution segment in a way that allows us to maintain the quality, discipline, and engineering standards that define Kshema.
Wind farm construction appears to be Kshema Power’s current focus area.
Yes, wind farm construction remains a core strength for Kshema Power. Over the years, we have built expertise in land development, wind infrastructure EPC, project logistics, and multi-MW project execution. The wind sector continues to offer strong potential, particularly with hybrid tenders and improved evacuation infrastructure.
Given that much of the targeted 500-GW of RE by 2030 will come from solar power, how is Kshema gearing up to meet the business opportunity?
While solar is expected to contribute the majority of India’s 500-GW renewable target by 2030, Kshema is approaching this market strategically. We have begun providing preliminary engineering services in solar, laying the foundation for broader EPC involvement in the near future. Our long-term vision is to position Kshema as a multi-technology renewable EPC player, delivering both wind and solar projects with the same reliability and excellence.
Please discuss Kshema Power’s growth strategy in the field of power transmission EPC. Would Kshema Power be interested in pursuing opportunities in development of interstate or intrastate lines under the tariff-based competitive bidding mechanism?
Kshema Power’s transmission EPC strategy is focused on scaling engineering strength, executing higher-voltage corridors, and utilizing digital tools to enhance speed, safety, and quality. We are continuously building capability in monopole structures, specialized tower designs, and GIS substations to take on more complex projects.
Regarding tariff-based competitive bidding, we are actively evaluating both intrastate and interstate opportunities. TBCB aligns well with our disciplined execution model and cost-efficient engineering. Also, we will pursue projects where our capabilities can deliver consistent value, dependable timelines, and long-term reliability which remain central to Kshema’s growth philosophy.