India's clean energy business has just witnessed one of its biggest deals yet. The Aditya Birla Group has agreed to buy Sprng Energy, the India-focused renewable power platform backed by Shell, in a transaction worth $1.8 billion, or roughly ₹17,200 crore including debt. The purchase instantly lifts the conglomerate into the front rank of the country's renewable power producers and sharpens its bet that clean electricity will shape India's industrial future.
The deal will be executed through Aditya Birla Renewables Limited (ABRen), the renewable energy arm of Grasim Industries. It still needs regulatory clearances and must satisfy the usual closing conditions before it is formally wrapped up. Once completed, it will rank among the largest acquisitions the Indian renewable sector has seen.
Capacity almost doubles overnight
The standout number here is capacity. Folding Sprng Energy into ABRen pushes the combined renewable portfolio to nearly 9.4 GW, close to twice what the company holds today. Sprng brings a spread of solar and wind projects scattered across several states, a mix of plants already generating power and others still under construction.
That variety carries a direct benefit. It gives the group a stronger footing to serve the fast-growing demand for clean electricity from industrial and commercial consumers, while tightening its grip on India's renewable energy market.
A stepping stone to 20 GW
The acquisition is crucial to the group's long-term plans. The company has set a target of reaching 20 GW of renewable capacity over the next three years, and the Sprng Energy purchase is a major building block in that expansion.
With the portfolio now approaching the 10 GW mark, the group is expected to keep scaling up through a combination of greenfield developments and strategic acquisitions. The move signals its intent to build one of India's largest integrated clean energy platforms and to play a part in the country's shift toward sustainable power.
What the chairman said
Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla called the acquisition a transformative milestone in the group's renewable energy journey. He said the deal reflects the company's long-term vision of building a world-class clean energy business that aligns with India's energy transition and its rising demand for sustainable power solutions. He added that the acquisition reinforces the group's commitment to investing in businesses that contribute to long-term energy security while creating value through sustainable growth.
Why Shell is selling
For Shell, the sale of Sprng Energy is part of a broader global strategy to optimise its portfolio and channel investment into businesses offering stronger long-term returns. The company had acquired Sprng Energy in 2022 and has now decided to monetise the asset as it reshapes its global energy business.
In step with India's 500 GW goal
The deal lands at a time when India is accelerating its clean energy transition, chasing an ambitious goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. Industry experts believe large-scale transactions like this one will draw further investment, improve project execution and speed up the build-out of renewable energy infrastructure across the country.
Once the required regulatory approvals come through, Aditya Birla Group is expected to emerge as one of India's leading renewable energy companies. The deal not only strengthens the group's clean energy portfolio but also deepens its long-term commitment to sustainability, energy security and India's green growth story.
