Indraprastha Gas Increases Capex 67% for Energy Diversification
IGL embarks on a strategic transformation journey by significantly raising capital expenditure to invest in clean energy ventures beyond its core city gas distribution business.
Summary:
In a bold move to future-proof its operations and reduce dependence on the city gas distribution (CGD) segment, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has announced a 67% increase in its capital expenditure (capex) for the current financial year. The enhanced investment will fund the company’s ambitious diversification into solar energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and compressed biogas (CBG)—sectors poised to play a critical role in India’s clean energy transition. This strategic shift comes amidst evolving regulatory frameworks, intensifying competition, and global decarbonization trends.
Indraprastha Gas Bets Big on Clean Energy: Capex Raised by 67% to Power Diversification
New Delhi, June 2025 – Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), a prominent player in India’s city gas distribution (CGD) sector, is embarking on a significant strategic transformation. The company has announced a substantial 67% increase in capital expenditure for FY2025-26, earmarked primarily for investments in solar power, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and compressed biogas (CBG) businesses.
This jump in spending reflects IGL’s growing urgency to diversify beyond its traditional gas pipeline and distribution business, which has been facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, fluctuating gas prices, and the broader global shift toward decarbonized, multi-source energy systems.
Capex Allocation and Strategic Goals
According to the company’s statement, IGL plans to invest over ₹2,200 crore this fiscal year, up from around ₹1,300 crore spent last year. The additional funds will be directed toward:
Establishing solar energy projects, both in captive and commercial segments
Establishing LNG refuelling facilities for long-distance transportation and logistics.
Setting up CBG plants and expanding CBG procurement, aligned with India’s SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme
Upgrading and expanding core CGD infrastructure, including network expansion into newer geographies
IGL’s MD, Sanjay Kumar, remarked,
“Diversifying into renewable and cleaner fuels is not only aligned with India’s net-zero goals but also helps us mitigate long-term risks in our core CGD segment. This capex hike marks a critical step toward building a resilient, future-ready energy portfolio.”
Why the Shift?
The move comes at a time when the CGD sector, once considered a secure growth engine, is facing mounting regulatory, competitive, and environmental headwinds. Key challenges include:
Government-mandated gas allocation revisions
Volatility in spot LNG prices, impacting input costs
Increased competition from electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative mobility solutions
Carbon neutrality pressures from global investors and ESG mandates
IGL, which supplies piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) in Delhi-NCR and nearby regions, believes that relying solely on natural gas is no longer a sustainable strategy. The diversification into solar and biogas aligns well with the Government of India’s Energy Transition Plan and the commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
Solar Energy: Tapping into India’s Renewable Boom
IGL is actively exploring the development of solar power plants for captive usage and for commercial sale under third-party arrangements. With solar tariffs falling below grid parity in many states, investing in solar energy presents a strong long-term cost arbitrage and green credit advantage.
The company plans to collaborate with both private developers and public sector units to deploy solar infrastructure across rooftops, industrial parks, and utility-scale projects.
This move also supports greening its own operations, such as running CNG stations on solar energy and reducing scope 2 emissions.
LNG: Future of Long-Haul Mobility
LNG is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for interstate logistics and commercial fleets, where CNG’s limited range and EVs’ high battery costs fall short. IGL plans to establish LNG dispensing stations along key highways and industrial corridors in North India.
This aligns with the central government’s vision of creating an LNG fueling ecosystem across 1,000 highways to reduce diesel dependence and import bills. IGL’s early investments in this segment could position it as a pioneer in green freight mobility.
Biogas Push: Capturing the Circular Economy Opportunity
IGL’s move into compressed biogas (CBG) comes as the government promotes CBG as a clean, domestically sourced substitute for fossil fuels. IGL is already in the process of procuring CBG from third-party developers and blending it into the existing gas supply chain.
The firm plans to develop its own CBG production units using municipal and agricultural waste. This not only enhances energy security but also contributes to rural income, waste management, and carbon footprint reduction—three key pillars of India’s sustainable development goals.
Investor Reaction and Outlook
While investors were initially cautious about the shift in focus, the market has responded positively, recognizing the long-term value of building a multi-fuel energy model. Analysts believe that if executed well, the diversification could de-risk revenue streams, improve ESG ratings, and boost valuation multiples in the years to come.
Brokerage houses have also pointed out that companies with diversified clean energy portfolios are better equipped to attract green finance, including ESG-linked bonds and sovereign green investments.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its strong intent, IGL will have to navigate several challenges, such as:
High upfront costs in setting up solar and CBG facilities
Technology adaptation risks in biogas and LNG logistics
Policy clarity and subsidy dependence in emerging energy segments
Competition from established renewable energy players
To mitigate these, the company is expected to pursue joint ventures, public-private partnerships, and government collaborations to share risks and scale efficiently.
Conclusion: A Bold Step into a Cleaner, Safer Future
With this 67% hike in capital spending, Indraprastha Gas is sending a clear message: the future of energy is diversified, decentralized, and decarbonized. By expanding into solar, LNG, and CBG, IGL is not just adapting to a new energy landscape but is also shaping it.
As India accelerates its clean energy journey, IGL’s forward-looking strategy positions it to emerge as a key player in the integrated green energy ecosystem, balancing growth with sustainability.
The image added is for representation purposes only
