Sterlite Power, which won orders to build power transmission lines in Brazil last year, is mulling an investment of US$4 billion in energy projects in Brazil by 2022.
Looking for better returns and a wide range of opportunities for investments in Brazil, Sterlite Power's idea is to grow rapidly in the country and establish its headquarters in Sao Paulo as a base for future expansion.
"We have committed to US$1 billion (in projects), and we are open to expanding this three or four times over the next three or four years," Sterlite Group CEO Pratik Agarwal said in a statement.
Agarwal further added that Sterlite has structured a local team and is currently looking for an experienced executive to take command of Brazilian operations and lead an expansion due to incursions in other countries.
"Sao Paulo will be our headquarters in Latin America to look beyond Brazil," Agarwal said. He cited Argentina, Chile, Mexico and possibly Peru as potential countries of interest, and pointed out that the advance to these markets could take place over a period of 1-3 years.
The executive also pointed out that in addition to participating in government auctions for new projects, Sterlite will also evaluate possible acquisitions as part of its strategy in the country.
The preference in all investments, according to him, is for 'complex' projects, in which he evaluates that the company believes it is better able to generate value and obtain advantages over competitors.
Sterlite caught the attention of the Brazilian energy industry in its first bid in April last year to take out a broadcast concession with a discount of 58.9 per cent over the government's maximum allowable revenue for the project.
The company has already secured funding and all environmental licenses for one of its three projects and there is great confidence in being able to deliver them in advance.
Agarwal said that in a project in India, the company used helicopters to carry transmission towers at a site in a mountainous region, which saved months in comparison to the most traditional method used by Indian industry through loading equipment with the help of donkeys.
