Designs, fabricates and galvanises steel towers and foundations, then builds and strings the line on a turnkey (EPC) contract for POWERGRID, Adani Energy Solutions, state transcos and overseas utilities. The EPC firm usually also buys the conductor and hardware, so it controls most of a line's cost.
Why it matters
Lines are the biggest single slice of grid capex, and the order books show it: KEC's order book (with L1 bids) passed ₹40,000 Cr and Kalpataru's hit a record ₹66,607 Cr in Jun 2026, with T&D the largest part of both. When awards stall (FY25 line additions fell to 8,830 ckm), these companies feel it first.
Where the value pool sits
A large but low-margin pool: tower EPC earns roughly 6-10% EBITDA, squeezed by steel and zinc prices, labour and fixed-price contracts. Returns depend on execution speed, working capital and the mix of overseas work (Middle East, Africa, Latin America), which usually pays better than domestic TBCB jobs.
Key drivers
NEP ISTS pipeline: ~₹2.64L Cr of schemes still in planning or bidding (CareEdge, Jan 2026)
Renewable evacuation from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka REZs
Gulf and African grid build-outs (Saudi Arabia, UAE) for Indian EPC firms
Reconductoring and high-capacity lines for data-centre and city demand
Potential bottlenecks
Right-of-way: farmers' compensation disputes and forest clearances delay many ISTS lines
Skilled gangs for stringing and erection, especially at 765 kV
Working capital tied up in milestone billing and retention money
Investor metrics to watch
T&D order book and L1 position (₹ Cr) and book-to-bill