Sarda Energy & Minerals Limited (BOM:504614)
India flag India · Delayed Price · Currency is INR
505.95
+2.80 (0.56%)
At close: Sep 23, 2026
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Q1 26/27

Aug 3, 2026

Summary

Q1 FY 2027 saw record EBITDA and PAT, driven by strong energy segment performance and a one-time gain from Sikkim hydropower. Expansion projects are on track, the company is net debt-free, and operational improvements are expected in coming quarters despite market volatility.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day and welcome to the Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd Q1 FY 2027 earnings conference call. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen only mode and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes. Should you need assistance during the conference call, please signal an operator by pressing star then zero on your touchtone phone. Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Parth Chauhan from Adfactors PR. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Parth Chauhan
Investor Relations Officer, Adfactors PR

Good evening, everyone, thank you for joining us today to discuss the Q1 FY 2027 business performance of Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd. We have with us Mr. Pankaj Sarda, Managing Director. Mr. Manish Sarda, Deputy Managing Director. Mr. Padam Kumar Jain, Director and Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Nilay Joshi, Executive Director. Before we proceed with this call, I would like to mention that some of the statements made on this call may be forward-looking in nature and may involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments that occur after the statement is made. Documents related to the company's financial performance, including the investor presentation, have been uploaded on stock exchanges and company website. I now hand over the conference to Mr. Pankaj Sarda. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Thank you, Parth. Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us on the Q1 FY 2027 earnings call. I hope you have had a chance to go through the financial results and investor presentation uploaded on the exchanges and our company website. Q1 FY 2027 stands as testament to the series of decisions we have taken over the last few years to build a diversified, integrated business model, one that has continued to help us navigate external challenges. Following a record FY 2026, we have begun the new financial year with continued progress across our strategic priorities. Strengthening our integrated business model through disciplined execution, strengthening expansion pipelines through disciplined capital allocation, and improving efficiencies. Let me now walk you through the key highlights of the quarter.

Despite a combination of planned maintenance shutdowns, unplanned outages, and seasonal factors, Q1 FY 2027 financial performance remained robust with the highest ever quarterly EBITDA and PAT. Q1 total income stood at INR 1,717 crore, EBITDA at INR 762 crore and PAT at INR 478 crore, a growth of 9.4% YoY. Net profit included a one-time net benefit worth INR 110 crore, mainly relating to the regulatory approval of final project cost for 113 MW Sikkim hydropower plant. Moving to the operational performance. Our energy business remained the key growth driver, contributing nearly 70% of consolidated EBITDA and providing stability to overall earnings. We have secured medium and long-term power supply agreements for over 380 MW out of the total 710 MW saleable power capacity, which meaningfully improves revenue visibility and earning stability for our power business going forward.

During the quarter, generation at the 600 MW thermal power plant continued to be steady during the quarter with an average PLF of 85.9%. Generation across our small hydropower plants was affected by delayed monsoon conditions during Q1. However, we are encouraged by the early trends in July and are hopeful of a better momentum in Q2. Separately, as previously announced in stock exchange intimation, our 113 MW Sikkim hydropower project was shut from 18th June- 5th July, following the collapse of a transmission tower caused by heavy rainfall and landslides. The plant has resumed operations fully and is functioning at normal levels. On the metals front, while iron ore production supported our operating performance, the consolidated revenue for the steel and ferroalloy segments declined QoQ as the production was impacted by several plant outages.

Firstly, the plant replacement of 30 MW captive power plant unit at Raipur, along with improvements works across steel and ferroalloy facilities, temporarily impacted production. This resulted in a temporary YoY decline in production of billets, wire rod, etc . However, the new 30 MW unit is ready for trial operations. We expect stable commercial operations to begin by the middle of this month. Secondly, at Vizag, the captive power plant underwent scheduled maintenance for 23 days, affecting ferroalloy's production. Additionally, one of the ferroalloy's units at Siltara was also under shutdown for 53 days for refurbishment. On the realization front, the steel prices remained largely range-bound with a mild negative bias during the quarter. While ferroalloy's prices saw a modest improvement, the price realization from sale of power was lower YoY. Moving on to the updates on our ongoing capacity expansion.

Execution across our major expansion initiatives continues to progress as planned. The regulatory approval process for expanding our thermal power capacity at SKS from 600 MW- 1,200 MW is on track. The brownfield expansion remains one of the most capital efficient growth opportunities available to us, backed by existing land, water, material handling system, and evacuation infrastructure. Approval process for our three small hydro projects in Chhattisgarh, 74 MW aggregate, is progressing as scheduled. Commissioning of our 50 MW captive solar power project has been delayed due to right of way issues on the transmission line. We now expect commissioning before the end of the next quarter. For our recently acquired 66 MW hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, most key statutory approvals are in hand and critical land acquisition is complete. Work for approach road started. We remain confident of hitting our planned timelines on this project.

On mining, development of the Shahpur West high grade coal mine remains on schedule, with commissioning targeted before the end of FY 2027. The Bartunga Hill coal mine is expected to be opened by the end of next financial year, while regulatory approvals for the Gare Palma IV/5 and Senduri coal blocks continue to progress as planned. Additionally, as part of our sustainability agenda, we are investing approximately INR 300 crore. The project includes a waste heat recovery power plant at Vizag with an aim to improve energy efficiency and resource utilization. As committed earlier, we continue to be very prudent about our balance sheet while undertaking all these expansions. All ongoing expansion projects continue to be funded through internal accruals.

We are now net debt-free on both our standalone and consolidated basis, with a strong balance sheet and healthy liquidity of more than INR 2,500 crore as of 30th June 2026, giving us significant flexibility to execute our long-term growth plans. Looking ahead, our focus remains on disciplined execution of the expansion pipeline, timely commissioning of ongoing projects, deepening the integration from mining to energy to metal, and further strengthen the balance sheet. We are content these initiatives will continue to enhance earnings visibility, improve operating efficiency, and support sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders. With that, I'll hand over to Mr. Manish Sarda to walk you through the industry environment and outlook.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us. Good afternoon, everyone. Can you hear me? Hello?

Operator

Yes, sir.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Can you hear me?

Operator

Yes, sir, we can hear you loud and clear.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Okay. Energy sector demand.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

I think you're audible.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Not audible?

Operator

Sir, it is very much audible.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Okay, let me go ahead then. India's power generation grew 9.4% year-on-year to around five-

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Talking about energy sector demand, India's-

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello?

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello, are you there?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yeah, I'm there very much.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

I can hear both of you actually.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello?

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Talking about energy sector demand.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

I think they are unable to hear us.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello? Am I audible?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes, you are audible. Who is?

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

[Manish bhai].

Operator

Manish, sir, you may continue.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

India's power generation grew 9.4% year-on-year to around 523 billion units during the quarter. Thermal generation grew 7.5% and continued to account for close to 70% of the country's total generation. While renewable generation, including large hydro, grew approximately 15%. Delayed monsoon conditions weighed on hydropower, with small hydropower generation declining roughly 30% year-on-year and large hydropower generation declining 7%. This was more than offset by a sharp 45% increase in solar generation. Average prices on the day ahead market held broadly stable at INR 3.85 per unit, compared to INR 3.92 per unit in the corresponding period last year. However, prices in July have moved up from INR 4.19- INR 5 per unit year-on-year. The government continues to prioritize energy security by promoting domestic energy resources and reducing dependence on imported coal and oil.

Reflecting global supply disruptions, higher logistics costs from geopolitical tensions and Indonesia's export restrictions, the National Coal Index for June 2026 was -21% higher than June 2025 and -11% higher than March 2026. Steel sector. India continued to outperform major global steel producers through the first half of calendar year 2026. Domestic crude steel production grew over 7.5%, even as China and several other major producers saw declines. The weak domestic Chinese real estate demand continued to push exports into global market at about 10 million tons per month. Amidst this, India's apparent steel consumption grew year-on-year, though momentum moderated sequentially. Imports have once again exceeded exports after two quarters, partly on the back of free trade agreements with partner countries. We welcome the government's anti-dumping investigations, which should help address unfair imports and support domestic producers.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has raised input costs and created supply chain disruptions. Elevated oil prices could inflationary pressure and affect demand in certain end-use sectors, including steel. While we remain in a wait-and-watch position, given India's predominantly domestic demand-driven economy, we expect the overall impact to remain manageable. Government initiatives under Viksit Bharat 2047, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat continue to drive investment across manufacturing, logistics, electronics, semiconductors, data centers, and industrial infrastructure, creating sustained long-term demand for reliable, competitively priced power as well as metal sector. How is the SEML's positioning? Against the backdrop, we believe SEML is well-placed to capture these structural opportunities through our integrated presence across mining, energy, and metals. Our diversified and calibrated expansion pipeline is well aligned with India's long-term priorities of energy security, manufacturing-led growth, and economic self-reliance.

With plans to quadruple our mining capacity and double our energy generation capacity, we are entering the next phase of growth with a strong balance sheet, improving operating momentum, and clearly defined roadmap. We remain confident that our integrated model, disciplined capital allocation, and continued execution focus will drive sustainable growth and enduring value for all stakeholders. With that, we'd be happy to take your questions. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you very much. We will now begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star one on your touchtone telephone. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star two. Participants are requested to use answers while asking questions. Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. Participants who wish to ask a question may press star one on their touchtone telephone. The first question is from the line of Digant Haria from GreenEdge Wealth . Please proceed.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Yeah, hi. Thank you for the opportunity. See, my first question is on our IPP, the power sale, and power realization. If I just back calculate the numbers, in this quarter, we earned almost INR 8 a unit on our power sale. Now, I heard on the call that almost 370 MW of our capacity, we have some long-term PPAs or mid-term PPAs for that, and I'm sure the rates for PPAs would be between INR 5-INR 6. Is it fair to say that going ahead, as more and more PPAs are signed by us, the revenue per unit of power will keep declining? Hello, am I audible?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes, you are audible.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Yeah.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Just hold on. I think [Raipur] disconnected. Can you connect them, please?

Operator

Yes, sir. I'll just connect them again. Hello, sir. Am I audible?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello. Can't hear you.

Operator

Hello. Am I audible to you, sir? Sir, I think the [Raipur] team is unable to hear us.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

You do one thing.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Are they on mobile or are they on landline?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

You connect on the mobile. I'll just give you the number. Wait. Yeah.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, please stay connected. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the management connected. Sir, you may proceed.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

This is Digant Haria . Should I ask my question?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes, please.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Sir, my question is on our power business. When I back calculate, I get that we have earned around INR 8 a unit on an average for this quarter, which is quite a good realization. I heard on the call that almost 378 MW of our power plant capacity is going to be on long-term PPAs, and the rates there may be in that INR 5-INR 6 a unit. Would our revenue from this power plant keep declining as we sign more and more long-term PPAs?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Hello.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Hello.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

I think there is some understanding gap. Our current period income also includes the previous year adjustments, the average realization calculated by you is not a correct one.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Reverse calculation will not work because we have certain income for the previous period also.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay. Got it. Sir, going ahead, we should generally assume for the full year, INR 5- INR 6 a unit on whatever electricity is generated and sold by us?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

It will be in between this.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Got it.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Over a period of time, it will go up. Over a period of time, as the inflation goes up and peak demand goes up, this will increase, particularly for the hydropower side.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay. Sir, I think this summer, it said that there was a lot of solar power in the daytime, which is why the daytime rates did not go up at all, despite very high demand. As Sarda Energy, how do you see this whole situation of excess solar capacity coming and will it hit us? Or that is precisely the reason why we are doing these long-term PPAs?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No, as the solar is increasing, at the same time, this BESS is also coming up. There will be certain policy changes at the government level also, when they may also give concessional power tariff during day hours to the industry or maybe charging sessions and all those things, policy initiatives will also happen. Over a period of time, things will get balanced. Yes, definitely for the present time, during day hours, because of solar, power is excessive, and during the peak hours, the gap has gone up. We are getting much higher prices during peak hours. Peak hour period has gone up from five hours to maybe eight hours, 10 hours, like that.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Got it. Okay. In case of our hydropower, wherever our hydropower projects are, is there enough water? Has it rained in the reservoirs which are there around our hydropower plants?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

In case of our large hydropower plant of 113 MW, we have generated higher than the last year. We are at par even after closure of the unit for almost 13 days. Indirectly, we can say we have generated better than the previous year. In case of smaller hydropower plants, there was a shortfall of water because there was a delay in the rainfall.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Right. Sir, in for hydro-

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Our Q2 generation was hardly 1% lesser than the previous year.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Yes, sir. The next quarter, this quarter is the largest for our hydropower. I was just checking if there has been anything.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Just a second. Please repeat your question. Hello?

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Yeah.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Please, can you repeat your question?

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Yeah. My question is that, see, quarter two is the largest quarter for our hydropower generation. I just wanted to ask if, have the rains come and is the water adequate in the reservoirs from where this hydropower will be generated?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Rains are good. July, we are getting far better rains in the smaller hydropower projects also.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay. Got it. My last question will be for this year, which is FY 2027, what will lead to growth in revenue or EBITDA? Whatever projects we have on the coal mining side or in the power side, a lot of them are probably going to come later on. Can we expect any growth in this current year?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

One will definitely be the improvement in the power price realizations. Another is the improvement in the power capacity utilization in our IPP. These are two primary factors. With the commissioning of our 30 MW power plant, there will be improvement in the generation.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Fantastic. Okay. Sir, you don't see any improvement on the metal side?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Metal side, the production will go up with the commissioning of the 30 MW new power plant. Our captive power generation will go up. That will definitely help in increased production of the steel side.

Digant Haria
Analyst, GreenEdge Wealth

Okay, sir. Okay, thank you.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Before we take the next question, we would like to remind participants that you may press star and one to ask a question. To ask a question, please press star and one now. The next question is from the line of Manav Gogia from YES SECURITIES . Please proceed.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Hi. A very good evening and thank you so much for the opportunity. My first question is pertaining to the INR 110 crore impact on the net profit that we have witnessed this quarter. Just wanted to get a sense of, if you could give me the number of what the actual impact was on the top line and on the EBITDA level?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

In the top line, in the revenue, it was INR 162.64 crore was added in the revenue side.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

There was an increase of about INR 18 crore on the other income in the form of interest.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. That is helpful.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

At EBITDA level, it is Just give the figures. Before tax, you can directly add up 25% to the INR 110 crore. That is the EBITDA level effect.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. Net of tax, right?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Net of tax.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Got it. Just to follow up, this INR 18 crore the only number which is coming in to the other income, because sequentially we have seen a good jump in the other income from roughly INR 4-INR 5 crore or so.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No, INR 18 crore is basically interest awarded along with the tariff. That is added in the other income.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Oh, okay. Got it. That is quite helpful. Yes. Thank you. Second question, sir, comes pertaining to the PPA. Out of 380 MW of PPA that you already have in place, what megawatt capacity would it be pertaining to SKS? Roughly 200 MW, if I'm not wrong?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No, 330 MW approximately.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay, 330 for SKS. Would you be able to give us a sense on what the tariff would be?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Tariff is in between INR 5-INR 6 .

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay, between INR 5-INR 6 . Okay. The maximum capacity that we are looking for PPAs for SKS, is it going to be 400 MW, 500 MW, or are we going to keep something as probably open quantity over there as well for sale?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Maximum sellable quantity is 540 MW.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

It's a call we have to take to what extent we have to commit.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Oh, okay. Sure. Got it. That is helpful. One last question I had was on the mining front, the PPT states that we are going to be reaching a coal mining capacity of 7.1, which includes a 2.1 from Bartunga. My question arises, the 5 million ton target that we plan to achieve, what all mines would be there? Is it Gare Palma IV/7 is what we are aiming for? And if you could also give me the timeline at which what procedures will we go from 1.8 million to 5 million tons.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Gare Palma IV/7 is 1.8 million tons.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Yes.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

0.6 million ton will be from Shahpur. Shahpur West.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

0.6 million will be from Senduri approximate. This is provisional because it is under exploration. That may change. But assuming on the initial side, 0.6 and 2 million will be from IV/5.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. Got it. We didn't have any plans-

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

This has been in our presentation also. In our presentation at slide number 23, all details are made available.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Yes. No. That I'm aware of. I wanted to get a sense of. You are planning to expand Gare Palma IV/7 from 1.8 million tons-5 million tons . I just wanted to get a sense of how that expansion is going to take place.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No. As of now, we are not considering in the immediate future. That is because we have got new mines with a better quality of coal.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

As compared to the Gare Palma IV/5. For the time being, we are focusing on the new mines.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. These new mines will be operational only post FY 2028, right?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No. Shahpur will start by end of current financial year. by end of current financial year, FY 2026.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. The coal from Shahpur West will be usable for our SKS power plants or no?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No. That will be for our steel and ferroalloy plants , because that is high grade coal. For power plant, we don't require high grade coal.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay.

Nilay Joshi
Executive Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Just to clarify, Manav, all the new mines, they are all high-grade coal mines.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Got it.

Nilay Joshi
Executive Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Shahpur is, like I already told, is starting in the current financial year, and Bartunga we will open in the next financial year, end of next financial year.

Manav Gogia
Analyst, YES SECURITIES

Okay. Thank you so much, Nilay. That's quite helpful. That's all from my end.

Operator

Thank you. Before we take the next question, we would like to remind participants that you may press star and one to ask the question. The next question is from the line of [Deepika Rathore] from N G Securities. Please proceed.

Speaker 9

Hi, Pankaj, sir. Could you share the latest.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes, we can hear you.

Speaker 9

Hi, Pankaj, sir. Could you share the latest update on the environmental clearance for the 600 MW brownfield expansion for SKS, when do you expect construction to commence?

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

The study that is required to submit our TOR is already over. We are in the final stages of making TOR. As soon as we submit it, maybe in another three months, they will accept it, looks like. Then, maybe we have to go for a public hearing or post public hearing. Maybe we have another six to eight months to get our final environment clearances. Post that, in this six to eight months, we'll appoint a consultant also for the same. All the procedures will start.

Speaker 9

Okay. That was helpful. Thank you so much.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yeah.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Rajesh Bhandari from Nakoda Engineers. Please proceed.

Rajesh Bhandari
Analyst, Nakoda Engineers

Good afternoon, sir.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

We are expecting to complete by FY 2031.

Rajesh Bhandari
Analyst, Nakoda Engineers

Oh, FY 2031?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes.

Rajesh Bhandari
Analyst, Nakoda Engineers

Okay. We expect our turnover to be more than double, sir?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Should be by that time.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of [Ashish] from Bonanza. Please proceed.

Speaker 11

Yeah. Am I audible?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes.

Speaker 11

Yes. My question was regarding the Sikkim project. That was disrupted due to the transmission line. Has that project normalized post the restoration of the transmission line? Also, do you expect any.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes. We are producing at full capacity.

Speaker 11

Okay. Is there any residual impact during Q2, expected residual impact on Q2?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

No, sir. Doesn't look like.

Speaker 11

Okay. That's it. That would be it from my end. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Before we take the next question, we would like to remind participants that you may press star and one to ask a question. Participant who wishes to ask a question, may please press star and one at this time. The next question is from the line of [Ashwini from FinMin]. Please proceed.

Speaker 12

Hi. Good afternoon. I just had one question. Steel prices remained range-bound during this quarter, while ferroalloy prices had improved modestly. How do you see the pricing environment evolving in the second half of FY 2027?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Both steel and ferroalloy prices, we personally believe that they will be stable, and the margins may look to be a little more decent in terms of ferroalloy. Steel, it looks that it will be stable. If so that we have a complete settlement in the West Asia region, we might see prices also going up because there will be demand pickup and more stable production centers in West Asia region as well.

Speaker 12

Okay. Understood. Also, I had one more question. What were the specific right-of-way challenges for the 50 MW solar project? Is there any execution risk beyond the revised commissioning timeline?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yeah. Hello, ma'am. There is a railway line coming in that region, for which they are acquiring lot of land. We assume it has been notified already in that area. They are acquiring land, I think so in next one to two months, we should get permission from the railways for the same.

Speaker 12

Okay. One last thing. I wanted to understand guidance for PAT and EBITDA for FY 2027, if you could just help with that as well.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Generally, we don't give any forward guidance. We have given the industry scenario, and our position has already stated the current quarter prices are also better. As stated in our opening address also, July prices in the power have been better. We are in a volatile market, so giving any guidance on the specific numbers is not advisable.

Speaker 12

Okay. Understood. Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vishal Patel from Patel Investment. Please proceed.

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Hello. Firstly, sir, congratulations on good set of numbers, and thank you for the opportunity. I have a couple of questions. First is, excluding the impact of one-off items during quarter one, how should we think about the normalized quarterly EBITDA run rate over the balance of the FY 2027 as operational?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Second quarter is definitely better because of hydro generation. We, as stated, power prices are better, have been better in July at least. Water has already gone up. As against last year's INR 4.20, this year it was INR 5 in IEX itself. We expect the power prices to be better. Beyond that, it's very difficult to comment on the profitability side. Otherwise, as already stated, with the commissioning of the 30 MW power, our steel volumes will also go up.

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Okay. Sure. My second question is, with improving power demand and additional PPA, how do you see PLFs and merchant realization evolving over the next few quarters?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

PLFs should definitely, if you see PLF at the annual level, PLF for the whole year for IPP shall be better than the previous year. This is what we expect. Last year, I think we had 415 crore units or so. This time we should be able to cross that with a reasonable margin.

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Okay. Sir, could you quantify a little bit about this?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Pardon?

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Could you quantify, as in just surpass or with a healthy growth?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

As I stated, in case of IPP, last year we had generated about 415 crore of units. This year generation will be better than the previous year.

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

In case of captive power plant also, with the commissioning of the 30 MW new generator, our capacity utilization will be better as compared to the previous year. In case of hydro, it depends solely on the rainfall. As of now, June, our generation was almost at par with the previous year.

Vishal Patel
Analyst, Patel Investment

Okay, sir. Sure. These answers my questions. Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of [Deepika Rathore] from N G Securities. Please proceed.

Speaker 9

Hello. sir, with most of your major projects progressing as planned, what do you see as the biggest execution risk to achieving your FY 2030 growth roadmap?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

As of now, there is no material risk we see. Except there may be slight here and there because of the regulatory approvals. Otherwise, more or less the things are moving as what we have planned.

Speaker 9

Okay. Yeah. This answers my question. Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of [Reena Kaur from Starlome Investments]. Please-

Speaker 14

Hello.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yes, ma'am.

Speaker 14

Thanks a lot for the opportunity. Hi. I just had two questions. One was now since everything is on track, like the 30 MW turbine replacement is commissioned, the Sikkim Hydro Project resumes normal operations, and the maintaining shutdowns have also concluded. What do we expect earnings in Q2 or the coming half yearly for FY 2027?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

As stated, we don't give any forward-looking profitability because it will depend on a variety of factors, rainfall data, power demand supply. There are multiple. In case of steel also, prices are volatile because of the West Asia developments. Giving any specific number will be very difficult, but we have already stated on the operational front, we have already clarified. Operationally, it should be better. This is what we can tell.

Speaker 14

Okay. Also on the steel prices, the steel prices remained range-bound during the quarter, while ferroalloy prices improved modestly. Going forward, how do you see the pricing environment evolving in the second half of FY 2027?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

The prices will remain stable for both ferroalloys and steel. In fact, the margins may be a little higher in the ferroalloy segment as we are seeing some softening of raw material prices. For steel, I think once the West Asia matter is completely settled and they have a peace accord, which is in reality in place, we might see some uptick in the steel pricing as well.

Speaker 14

Okay, great.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Overall the steel demand looks to be very good because of domestic developments as well. We have very strong and robust domestic demand, and with new developments of data centers and many other infrastructure projects, especially after monsoon, we see that the prices go up.

Speaker 14

Understood. Got it. Thanks a lot, sir. That's all from my side.

Operator

Thank you. Before we take the next question, we would like to remind participants that you may press star and one to ask a question. The next question is on the line of [Mans] from Sunidhi Investments. Please proceed.

Speaker 15

Hey. Hi, sir. Thanks for the opportunity for giving this call. I wanted to ask you on the Arunachal project. Actually the most of the approval has been received for 66 MW. When do you expect construction to begin? What do you think would be the expected timeline for it?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

We are undergoing all the drilling and soil investigation. We have also appointed a consultant. As soon as those datas are available, detail engineering will commence.

Speaker 15

Do you expect from this year or from beginning of next year?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

This year itself.

Speaker 15

This year itself. Right. Okay. I think that's pretty clear. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of [Priyansh], an investor. Please proceed. Mr. Priyansh, your line has been unmuted. You may proceed with the question.

Speaker 16

Hello. Yeah. Thank you for having me. I wanted to know that regarding the transmission tower that was recently lost, what is the loss that has been incurred in electricity generation pertaining to this? Consequently, what is the additional cost that was incurred to build it again? Are there any, let's say, steps in place to prevent this from happening again?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

There is no material cost incurred on the restoration of the tower.

Speaker 16

Okay.

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Nominal cost is incurred, and most of that will also be covered except the minimum excess cost that will be covered through insurance. Yes, whatever generation we have lost for a few days, that was the real loss what we have incurred, which is already covered in the first quarter results broadly, because 6th of June it started again. There is an impact of five days generation in case of July. Otherwise, everything is already covered. Amount is not substantial. Restoration cost is negligible, and that is also fully covered in the insurance.

Speaker 16

Okay, got it. Thank you. My second question was regarding the mineral wool project. What was the revenue of the mineral wool, and what is the sales and EBITDA target of mineral wool for the Q2 and the full financial year FY 2027?

Padam Kumar Jain
Director and CFO, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Manish?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Could you repeat the question, please?

Speaker 16

Sure. My second question is regarding the mineral wool project. What was the revenue of mineral wool, and what is the sales and EBITDA target for the same for Q2 and the full financial year FY 2027?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

We have started and we've been ramping up our production in the mineral wool. In mineral wool, we are now touching almost 60%-65% of our capacity. Once we achieve the full capacity in the coming year, in the next three to six months, we'll be achieving that full capacity. We should be able to give out the exact numbers. Right now, we are still identifying few issues, and we are trying to resolve those issues. Right now, the project is not making any profits at the moment.

Speaker 16

Got it. Is it making sales or not at this moment?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Yeah. We're doing sales. There is a huge demand. There's a huge demand, and we are making good sales. In fact, we are lagging in sales. The demand is more than our production. It's not ramping up due to certain imported equipments and machineries, which are stuck due to West Asia crisis and all. We should be getting that in order, and probably in the next six months, we should be achieving full production.

Speaker 16

Okay. Do we have any revenue figures right now?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

We are expecting for the year 2027, we should be achieving around INR 90 crore.

Speaker 16

INR 90. Okay. For Q2?

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

For Q2, it's very difficult to comment right now.

Speaker 16

Okay. Got it. The projection is the capacity utilization should ramp up.

Manish Sarda
Deputy Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

It'll ramp up in the next two quarters, and we should be able to achieve in FY 2027 anywhere between INR 90 crore-INR 110 crore.

Operator

Thank you, everyone. That was the last question. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, management speaker. On behalf of Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.

Pankaj Sarda
Managing Director, Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd

Thank you.