Dear Shareholder,
This year marks a monumental milestone for us. I am immensely grateful
for what we have achieved together. Your unwavering support and trust have fuelled our
transformation and allowed us to emerge stronger than ever with the wherewithal to
overcome every obstacle that has come our way.
From Trials to Triumph
For the Adani Group, 2023 was a year unlike any other. In the face of
an unprecedented challenge and widespread scrutiny, our journey epitomised the essence of
the spirit that has always defined us and has allowed us to consistently turn setbacks
into comebacks. In 2023, we showed our unbreakable spirit and proved that challenges could
not weaken us; instead they became a testament to our ability to emerge stronger than
ever.
As most of you know, we faced baseless accusations made by a U.S.-based
short-seller that threatened to cast a shadow on our reputation and decades of hard work.
Typical short-selling targets financial markets. This was far more
insidious.
It was a two-pronged attack, simultaneously targeting our financial
standing and dragging us into the political arena. The onslaught was a calculated strike
two days before the closing of our Follow-on Public Offer (FPO). Amplified by a segment of
complicit media, it was designed to defame us, inflict maximum damage and erode our
hard-earned market value.
We were, therefore, faced with a multi-dimensional crisis. Despite
successfully raising ' 20,000 crore through the FPO, we made the extraordinary
decision to return the proceeds. This historic move underscored our unwavering dedication
to our investors and our commitment to ethical business practices.
Amidst the challenges, our liquidity became our greatest asset.
Augmenting our cash reserves, we raised approximately ' 40,000 crore more,
comfortably covering the next two years of our debt repayment. This decisive action is a
testament to the strength of your company. It restored market confidence, and we
safeguarded our portfolio against any volatility by pre-paying ' 17,500 crore in
margin-linked financing.
Despite never having faced any challenges with debt repayments while
operating in the inherently leveraged infrastructure sector, we dropped our Debt to EBIDTA
ratio to 2.5x in just six months from 3.3x at the end of March 2023. It is now at 2.2x. We
should keep in mind that five years ago, this ratio stood at 7x. This approach not only
strengthens our financial resilience but also increases our capacity for future expansion.
We were further vindicated when the Supreme Court of India affirmed our
actions, and our commitment to operational excellence and transparent disclosures was
validated not only by rating agencies and the well-informed financial community but also
by respected global investors. Partners like GQG Partners (U.S.), TotalEnergies Limited
(Europe), IHC and QIA (Middle East), and even the U.S. Development Finance Corporation
(DFC) stood firmly by our side, signalling unwavering confidence in our integrity.
The fact is that the spirit to fight back, the courage to stand up, and
the will to overcome makes us stronger than ever. The storms that tested us became the
very ones that fuelled our strength.
India's Moment: Navigating Complexity, Seizing Opportunity
The world stands at a crossroads. Geopolitical tensions strain
relationships, the fight against climate change grows more challenging, and technological
change disrupts the way we live and work. Amidst this uncertainty, a powerful light shines
- the undeniable rise of India.
India stands at a pivotal moment. A period where circumstances tilt in
its favour, and decisive action can propel decades of growth and prosperity.
Our nation is witnessing something extraordinary: a self-reinforcing
cycle of progress. Growth feeds growth. India's trajectory is shaped by an exceptional
time where opportunity and decisive action converge. This is evidenced by powerful
metrics: a remarkable growth rate, declining fiscal and current account deficits, surging
exports, controlled inflation, and rising income levels. These forces intertwine with
declining poverty and expanding consumption, feeding corporate strength and slashing bank
NPAs. This self-reinforcing cycle of progress is fuelled by domestic demand and amplified
by global investors seeking stability and diversification, leading to record FDI inflows
further bolstering the economy at a time of global insecurity.
The foundation of much of India's success rests in the clarity,
consistency, and compassion of the government. Its focus on the welfare of the common
citizen is transformative. Schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer, eliminating over 100
million fraudulent accounts and saving an astounding ' 3 lakh crore from misuse,
Ayushman Bharat, saving the poor an estimated ' 1 lakh crore in healthcare
expenses, the Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana, providing clean cooking solutions to over 10
crore underserved citizens, or the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to supply 55 litres of
water per person per day to every rural household, are more than just programmes - they
are pillars of social progress that act as safeguards for the health and dignity of
millions of our people. This trust in government emboldens the people and fuels their
ambition.
It is this platform, established over the past decade, that has made
India the world's fastest-growing major economy, a nation of scale, vision, and heart. In
addition to the domestic success, its rising geopolitical stature and principled global
engagement positions India as a leading force for stability and progress during a
tumultuous time as seen through initiatives like the G20 presidency.
This is India's moment. We are now the force for stability,
cooperation, and progress in a complex world bolstered by vast domestic demand and
propelled by the government's ambitious USD 2 trillion infrastructure investment target by
2030.
We, as a company, recognise this exceptional moment and that our
ambitions are not just our own; they are interwoven with India's emergence as a true
global power. India shines, and we shine with it.
Hum Karke Dikhate Hai: The Philosophy for Our Success
India's robust macroeconomic stability and ambitious growth plans
inspire unwavering confidence in our future. The pivotal role of public-private
partnerships in infrastructure development, fuelled by strong multiplier effects,
reinforces our belief. The nation's infrastructure spending has tripled in the past
decade, with breakneck progress in highways, railways, and electrification. Initiatives
like Gati Shakti will integrate infrastructure schemes (Bharatmala, Sagarmala, etc.) to
drive logistics costs below 10%, bolstering competitiveness, and we are very well
positioned to capitalise on such programmes.
This infrastructure push, combined with policies like Make in India and
Production-Linked Incentive Schemes, will drive investment across vital sectors - roads,
airports, ports, power, railways, and data centers, each of these are core businesses for
the Adani Group. As India's leading infrastructure player, we see a clear narrative of
immense and predictable growth.
Our record-breaking achievements in 2023 underscore our alignment with
national priorities and our ability to execute the most complex, largescale projects with
unmatched expertise.
Picture our Khavda Renewable Energy Park, the world's largest RE plant
spanning several hundreds of square kilometres. Already generating 2,000 MW of clean
energy, our aggressive timeline aims to develop 30 GW capacity in the next five years,
enough to power nations like Belgium, Chile, and Switzerland. For us, this RE park is a
symbol of our commitment to sustainability and a symbol of national pride.
In the spirit of sustainability, Adani Green became the proud sponsor
of London Science Museum's stunning green energy gallery that looks at the past, present
and future of energy systems. It is now considered one of the foremost museums that
showcases how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably. It has quickly
become a one-of-its-kind platform drawing and inspiring thousands of global visitors to
understand solutions for an equitable and sustainable future.
Or envision the cutting-edge Ammunition and Missile Complex, South
Asia's largest, a testament to our commitment to India's security. Picture the Drishti 10
Starliner UAV, a symbol of Indian innovation, soaring through the skies, protecting our
nation. These aren't just machines; they embody our unwavering dedication to India's
well-being.
Further, visualise the world's largest slum at Dharavi in Maharashtra
as we redevelop it over the next decade to provide dignity to over its 1 million
residents. This is not a project of redevelopment; it's about dignity of living.
And we did not stop there.
We were privileged to have the Honourable Prime Minister inaugurate the
state-of-the-art Terminal T3 at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in
Lucknow, designed to accommodate 8 million passengers annually and enhance domestic and
international connectivity.
Kutch Copper Limited, a pioneering project in Mundra, commenced
operations at its greenfield copper refinery. By the end of this decade, we aim to make it
the world's largest single-location copper smelter with a capacity of 1 MTPA,
significantly enhancing India's self-reliance on a crucial metal needed for several
critical industries.
Adani Ports experienced an exceptional year, exceeding 400 MMT of cargo
for the first time and handling a record 420 MMT as it continued to expand its position as
India's premier commercial port with significant double-digit growth across most
facilities.
The U.S. Development Finance Corporation injected USD 553 million into
CWIT, Adani's joint venture in Sri Lanka, to develop a deepwater shipping container
terminal at Colombo Port. This investment is a strategic step showcasing the confidence of
the DFC on Adani's capabilities as well as towards bolstering Sri Lanka's economic
recovery through private sector-led initiatives.
Following the strategic acquisition of ACC and Ambuja Cements and the
successful commissioning of our Ametha Integrated Unit, the Adani Group's combined cement
capacity has risen from 67 MTPA to 78.9 MTPA. This puts us well on the path towards the
140 MTPA target we had set to achieve by 2028. Also, we are proud to state that Ambuja
Cements was the lead supplier for the breathtaking Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, India's
longest sea bridge covering 21.8 km that showcases its infrastructural prowess.
Our approach is clear - align with the nation, build adjacencies, and
de-risk through integration. Today, we stand as a testament to India's growth trajectory.
We consistently take on projects of immense scale that others wouldn't dream of, proving
our ability to deliver complex infrastructure that will fuel the nation's rise and most
importantly continue to ensure that we do so without compromising on our growth and
financial numbers. This is best manifested in the all-round growth numbers we delivered in
2023-24.
Financial Performance: An All-Time Record
In terms of financial performance, I am delighted to state that we
achieved an unprecedented milestone, recording the highest-ever EBITDA of ' 82,917
crore (roughly USD 10 billion), a remarkable surge of 45%.
This exceptional financial performance drove our PAT to a record high
of ' 40,129 crore, marking a substantial 70.8% growth. Our net Debt to EBITDA
further fell to 2.2x from 3.3x over the past year, giving us additional headroom for
future growth. All of this resulted in an all-time-high levels of liquidity for the Group
with a cash balance of ' 59,791 crore.
These consistent and improved metrics demonstrate our highly stable
infrastructure platform, and led to a series of rating and outlook upgrades. Three of our
portfolio companies - Ambuja, ACC, and APSEZ, are now AAA rated.
Higniignting tne performance of a Few of our companies:
Power Businesses (APL and AGEL)
Given the RE growth potential, we revised our FY 2029-30 target from 45
GW to 50 GW. In the year, we added 2.8 GW, 15% of India's total renewable capacity
addition. This includes the commissioning of the first 2 GW at the world's largest RE park
at Khavda within 12 months of breaking ground, which highlights our execution
capabilities.
AEL
As the incubation engine for the Group, AEL had a stellar year with
three of our incubating businesses, including airports, green hydrogen eco-system and
roads, picking up momentum. Passenger traffic at our airports witnessed a strong
double-digit growth and stands at 88.6 million passengers. The solar manufacturing
division has successfully commissioned a large-sized monocrystalline ingot and wafer unit,
India's first, further enhancing control over the fully integrated green hydrogen
production chain.
APSEZ
In addition to reaching 420 MMT and 10 of our ports recording lifetime
high cargo volumes, we undertook successful acquisitions of Gopalpur and Karaikal ports.
APL
Our operating capacity increased by 12% to 15,250 MW, with the
commissioning of the 1,600 MW Godda ultra-supercritical thermal power plant.
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AESL
We commissioned critical transmission infrastructure, including two 765
kV lines - Warora-Kurnool (1,756 ckm) and Khavda, Bhuj.
Our transmission order book stands at ' 17,000 crore, and our
smart metering order book has expanded to 2.28 crore meters.
ATGL
We expanded our CNG stations from 733 to 903 and PNG connections from
8.45 lakhs to 9.76 lakhs. We also commissioned 606 EV charging points and phase-1 of one
of India's largest biomass plants in Barsana.
Ambuja Cements
Our total capacity has increased to 78.9 MTPA from 67.5 MTPA and our
EBITDA per tonne has more than doubled since we acquired the business. Our target is to
reach 140 MTPA by 2028.
NDTV
Our media entity has expanded its presence regionally and scaled
digitally, with a 39% increase in global digital traffic. We also invested in
next-generation infrastructure, with new facilities in BKC, Mumbai, and NCR, Delhi.
Overall, our record-breaking performance and strategic achievements
across diverse sectors showcase our commitment to innovation and sustainable growth.
Several of these achievements will significantly reduce national reliance on imports and
help secure our national value chains.
We have always believed that we are not just building businesses; we
are contributing to powering India's future with infrastructure, energy solutions, and
digital advancements. As we continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies and expand our
reach, we are confident in our ability to deliver exceptional value and continue to
contribute to our stakeholders.
The Power of Purpose: Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility
We recognise that the most successful and enduring companies understand
that integrating sustainability, ethical business practices, and community engagement into
their core strategies is both a moral imperative and a smart business decision. In this
context, the Adani Foundation's reach has now extended to 9.1 million individuals across
6,769 villages in 19 states. This vast engagement underscores our deep commitment to
uplifting lives and fostering sustainable development nationwide. Our commitment to
'Growth with Goodness' drives our actions - from addressing environmental impact to
prioritising the needs of all stakeholders, we strive to create long-term value while
fostering thriving communities. And as outlined here, we continue to have inspiring
stories of success.
Through the Adani Saksham (skill development) initiative, we empowered
1,69,000 young individuals with essential skills, helping them secure a
brighter future and potentially become entrepreneurs.
Our agricultural programmes revitalised 26,000 acres of land,
introducing sustainable practices and natural farming techniques that promise a greener
tomorrow.
Our health outreach programmes, including mobile health care units and
camps, touched 2 million lives, ensuring that essential services reach the most remote
communities.
Further, the Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Adani
Hospitals, and our rural clinics and wellness centers provided critical healthcare to
approximately 2.7 million individuals.
The SuPoshan project enhanced the nutrition delivered to 4,14,000 women
and children, fortifying the foundations of future generations.
Our efforts in animal husbandry improved the livelihoods of numerous
farmers, with 9,100 cattle benefiting from better care and 30,000 instances of artificial
insemination boosting productivity.
Our water conservation initiatives created a staggering 13.8 million
cubic meters of storage capacity, ensuring water security and supporting the ecological
balance of our ecosystems.
The engagement of 16,900 women in self-help groups underlined our
initiative for sustainable economic development, empowering them to become agents of
change in their communities.
At the Adani Foundation, each number tells a story of change, of a life
empowered, and a community revitalised. These stories fuel our mission to continue making
a significant and sustainable impact, and I am proud of what we have achieved together as
we strive to do our part to leave a small positive mark on this world.
A Shared Destiny: Stronger Than Ever and Building a Nation Together
The challenges we overcame last year have strengthened our resolve.
We draw inspiration from the very resilience that India embodies.
Our ambitions are limitless, just like India's. We see a future where
our expertise drives infrastructure revolutions, where our green energy initiatives power
a sustainable tomorrow, and where our commitment to upliftment transforms communities.
The road ahead is paved with extraordinary possibilities and I can
promise you that the Adani Group today is stronger than it's ever been. Our journey is a
testament to the relentless pursuit of dreams, of turning ambition into reality. This
isn't just about building businesses; it's about building a nation.
Hum Karke Dikhayenge! The best is yet to come.
Gautam Adani