NAVA LIMITED (NAVA) Q1 2027 Earnings Call Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, good day and welcome to the NAWA Limited Q1FI27 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 this conference call, please signal an operator by pressing star, then zero on your touchstone phone. Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Shubham Burade. Thank you, and over to you.

Thank you, Ananya. Good afternoon to all. On behalf of ICICI Securities, I welcome you all to the Q1 FY27 Earnings Call of Nava Limited. Today, we have with us from the management, Mr. Ashwin Evineni, managing director and CEO. Mr. G. R. K. Perser, Executive Director. Mr. Nikhil Devinehdi, Executive Director. Mr. B. Srinivas Rao, EFO. And Mr. DSM Raju, Company Secretary. We will begin with the opening remarks from the management, which will be followed by a Q&A. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us. I am pleased to share Nawaz's performance for the first quarter of FY27. We have started the year on a strong note with consolidated total income reaching an all-time quarterly high of rupees 1,269 crore. The quarter reflects the strength of a diversified portfolio and the benefits of disciplined cost management. Our energy and mining business delivered healthy operating performance, with MES 300-megawatt plant operating at a strong 89.3 PLS. Our international foray also continued to provide value through dividend flows and to attain financial strength to pursue investments. At the standalone level, the total income reached a record Rs. 689 crore. Lower coal and manufacturing costs, along with dividend income from Navajo Global, supported this improvement. We continue to make measured progress on our next phase of growth in the energy and commercial agriculture segments. Thermal energy, renewable energy, avocado, and sugar projects in Zambia are in active implementation, and some are set to yield revenue shortly. Phase 2 of NEL is expected to commence operations next year, later than originally, and we start going to certain challenges beyond our control, with no material impact on project capex. It is, however, heartening that the 100-megawatt solar power project, set to be commissioned shortly, would establish a new niche for NAVA, prompting further investment in this space. We are cognizant of the significant challenges arising from the geopolitical and supply chain disruptions and are taking appropriate remedial actions.

Our diversified portfolio, financial strength.

And operational resilience should, however, position us well to navigate these challenges while remaining focused on long-term value creation. With that, I open the call. Many political parties changed since we started, so, yeah, we are not affected.

That's fine. Thanks for that, sir.

Ladies and gentlemen, please press star and 1 to ask a question. Participants who wish to ask a question, please press star and 1. The next question is from the line of Wanch, an individual investor. Please go ahead. The next question is from the line of Shri Gopal Kankali. Please go ahead. This is the follow-up question.

Good afternoon, sir. Sir, my question is because there was some problem in connection, I could not hear your last five minutes' speech. I just wanted to know what is the expected date of commissioning of this 300 MW thermal because...

Mr. Shri Gopal, you have been unmuted. Please go ahead.

Are you... I am speaking, madam.

Can you hear me?

Hello.

Hello?

Mr. Shree Kupal, please go ahead.

Are you able to hear me? Hello?

The current participant has been disconnected. We will move on to the next. The next question is from the line of Vijay, who is an individual investor. Please go ahead.

Hello. First of all, may I know if I'm audible? I've got disconnected several times.

Yes. Yes, you're audible, sir. Please go ahead.

Yeah, I do not hear anything from the other side. Yeah, my first question. Is regarding the company's assets, how they are taken into the books. We have 65 acres of land in Hezabad, we have some 200 acres in Samarkot, and another 20 acres in Kavavaram, I believe, or maybe the other way around. How are these assets taken in the books?

Mr. Vijay, can you hear us?

Now I can hear you. I don't know if this conference call has been jinxed. I've tried three or four times to get into it.

You can hear us now, right? Did you hear the entire questions and answers?

Yeah, now I can hear you very clearly. Can I ask my question again or you heard it?

No, no, no. We just wanted to make sure we are audible.

So, with regard to your question, all this land is recorded in the book sector, like historical cost.

So you have got these real estate assets, the land assets, the land bank, recorded at historical price. What is the reason why they are not being revalued and taken at current value, current market price, or at least the current realistic cost? Because that will change your book value considerably, the book value per share. The book value per share is very much depressed.

The accounting standard allows us to carry historical cost. That is why we are carrying historical cost.

I see. And what are the management plans to make these work, make these assets work to the benefit of the company and the shareholders?

I think, you know, we've been holding these assets for a while, and I think the fruits of that are kind of showing with valuations, you know, really going up. It's good that we did not sell these assets at an earlier stage. Otherwise, we wouldn't have, you know, But what we have done is just to... Understand what opportunities we have today. We have engaged a third party to study, investigate with the current asset values what are the possible options that are available for us in the event we want to do anything today. So that study is currently ongoing.

Yeah, we've been hearing this for quite some time, but we have to make these assets work towards company's plans. For example, company has recently changed its memorandum of authorization and brought in a lot of additional avenues for power generation, such as solar, wind, nuclear, etc., etc. So with these, you will need capital, and that capital can come only from these assets rather than borrow.

Yes, I don't think we have an issue in terms of capital right now. All the projects that we are envisaging and that are currently underway are adequately funded, and we have enough equity and cash in our books to fund that. We don't need to sell the assets in distress to basically generate cash at this point. As a company, we feel that, and I think it has paid off, that we have held on to these assets. Yes, we have been saying that, but for example, if we had sold these assets years ago when we were being questioned about the assets, I don't think we would have realized the appreciation of the assets in terms of how they've gone out.

Very true, Mr. Ashwin, but if you had invested that asset value at that time into newer projects, the newer projects would have also generated additional projects.

Once again, Mr. Vijay, I'd like to state that we are not, it's not a situation where we're not undertaking projects because we don't have cash. Whatever project we deem fit, Thank you.

My next question is about the holding of Zambia assets. Initially, Zambia project was created out of NAWA Limited profits, NAWA Limited funds. Subsequently, NAWA Global seems to have taken over these assets and they are now being shown as Profits accruing to Nava Global and Nava Global giving dividends, buying back its own shares from Nava Limited with that money, etc. So, who is the ultimate owner of the Zambia project, number one? And number two, is Nava Global, is there any plan for spinning it off the way the foreign projects are going and spinning it off or emerging it and going in for an IPO?

So, first and foremost, with regards to the large assets, and I'm sure you're talking about the Mamba asset, it was always under Nava Global. The only difference was Nava Global was called Nava and Singapore, you know, in the past. It was not like it started with Nava and then we moved it to Nava Global or anything of that sort. So we always had Nava Global as the... The international asset holding company that we wanted to grow. Today, Nava Global has multiple assets. It's got the current Mamba power plant. It's got Mamba Solar Energy as a company. And they may be, and they have got the mine in the Ivory Coast. And there may be other international assets that could fall under it. So it does operate independently. The ultimate owner, yes, is Nava because it owns 100% of Nava Global.

So, you are telling me that Nawaz Limited is the 100% ultimate owner, beneficial owner of Nawaz Mobile?

Yes, that's right.

Okay, I'll go back in the queue. So, I remain on the line because I got disconnected several times.

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Kaushik Toshi from ICICI Securities. Please go ahead.

Yeah, thank you for the opportunity, sir. My first question is regarding the Zambia. How is the situation in Zambia currently? And due to West Asia crisis, do we have any power reception in Zambia?

Sorry, can you repeat the question, I think, and a little slowly?

Am I audible? Hello?

Yes, yes. Just go a little slow.

Yes, my first question is regarding the Zambia currently. How is the situation is there right now? And due to West Asia crisis, are we facing any power receptions? Do we have any power receptions?

Oh, no. Yeah, the situation is fine. Currently, there are no power disruptions.

And second question is due to West Asia prices, are we anticipating any increase in the supply of coal in general?

In supply of coal in Zambia? Sorry, can you repeat the question?

Mr. Kaushik? Mr. Klosek. Ladies and gentlemen, we will move on the next participant. Wanch, an individual investor, please go ahead.

Yeah, so one more question I had was the deferred tax expense that you have shown in the books. Like, is there any scope of stabilizing it or will the 160, 200 crore per year mark will be always there as deferred tax expense? You are talking about at console level. Yeah, on the console level I am talking about. Last year it was 261 crores, and this quarter we have again shown 40 CR, and the last quarter it was 163 crores because of the Trambian and USD currency problem. So, what is the situation over there?

Now, the Jamba, like Quatcha, USD exchange reaches around 18 rupees as on 30th June. So, it is stabilizing as on today. We don't, like, you never know what happens in the future, like, it depends upon the prevailing exchange data as on the data report.

So, this if the currency stabilizes then this 40 crore will become again like the next quarter will not be there, right?

Yes, it may get even reversed also.

Ok, it can get reversed, ok. And moreover like the previous question about the assets that you have, if I may know what is the current value of those assets?

Are you referring to?

The Hydrava is the 200 exhaust that you have.

Now, the historical cost of my term land is around 40 lakhs now.

And what will be the current value of crops?

I think, you know, that's something that the report that we have commissioned to the third party that I mentioned will possibly bring out. The value is moving. I think every call is moving fortunately upwards, too. So it's appreciated a lot from, I think, the past few years.

Yeah, but if we can get an idea, that will be great for shareholders.

Yes, but I don't think, you know, we would want to speculate on giving a number, because it is a moving, this is real estate at the end of the day. Yeah, no issues, no issues.

And moreover, the mining that you were taking on the exploration part, what is the status on that?

So, there are two parts to it. I think you may be referring to the manganese mining or exploration.

Manganese and the lithium mining that you were exploring.

Yeah. So, in terms of the lithium, it's a very large area, so the exploration is currently underway. There's been a slight slowdown because of elections and so on, but the exploration is still underway. On the Manganese 2, it is a fairly large area. You're talking about 360 square kilometers, which is part of the concession. Out of this, we have done detailed exploration in only two square kilometers. Based on those results, I think the primary agency indications are that it does look promising. So we are currently working on converting the exploration license into an exploitation one.

So, by when can we expect that if it's done?

Mr. Vansh, I request you to join back in the queue, please.

Fine, fine.

Thank you. Reminder for all participants, please restrict your questions to two per participant. The next question is from the line of Shri Gopal Kankani from S.G. Kankani and Associates. Please go ahead.

Good afternoon, sir. Sir, my question, because I was initially not participating in the discussion because my line was disconnected for five minutes, so I couldn't hear your speech. I just wanted to know what is the expected date of commissioning of this 300 megawatt thermal power plant, because earlier it was, I think, planned for gen 27. So what is now the expected date of commissioning of this plant?

So, right now, we are looking at the total commissioning of both the units by Q2 of FY27 and FY28, around the July timeframe of next year.

Okay, sir. And my one question was that whether any plant shut down in the current quarter for Mamba plant, sir?

Okay, sir.

We have a biannual shutdown that is scheduled in the current quarter.

In the current quarter, okay.

Which is the biannual maintenance, basically. It's the regular biannual maintenance that we conduct.

Yes, that's fine, sir. Okay. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Aditya Shreemar from PCS Securities. Please go ahead.

Yeah, my question is regarding the return on equity on the additional 300 megawatt that you have set on. So, and what would be the taxation as far

as the 300 megawatt is going to be?

Give us a second. Am I all even?

Hello.

Yes, my question was, because the cost entailed in this next 300 megawatt is much lesser than the earlier plan, and even the PPA is also signed, what is the expected return on equity on the investment, and what is the taxation? That will be applicable on this.

The return on equity that we envisage is about 15%, and with regards to the second phase, we currently don't have a tax holiday, but that is something that we are actively pursuing with the government.

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Sai Shriyas from Scientific Investing. Please go ahead.

Hi, sir. Am I audible? Yes. Thank you for the opportunity, sir. So my first question is, sir, can you please explain what is the reason behind Zambia energy EBITDA margin being declined over the years? And what is the sustainable margin going forward for the Zambian energy?

The reason for decreasing EVECTA is on account of less rewards of ECL credit.

Okay. And what is the sustainable margin going forward, sir, for the Zambian energy segment?

Around like 45 to 50 percent is the EVECTA.

45 to 50 percent?

Yeah.

Okay, and my second question is, sir, how do the inter-segment eliminations work, and is there any ratio which we can use to estimate the consolidated EBITDA from segment EBITDA? Because there is a lot of inter-segment eliminations.

So, we adapt some transfer pricing between power and metals vector in Indian operations, and also there, like, for coal consumed in energy from mines. So, this gets eliminated, the transfer price adapted for transfer gets eliminated, and when it comes to consolidated EBITDA, it will be around between 35 to 40%.

So, the segment EBITDA 35 to 40% will be considered for the consolidated EBITDA.

Yes.

Okay. And one last question, sir. And the reason in the interest cost, how is the interest cost being calculated? Because are we capitalizing it during the construction time? And what is the industry practice? Because there is no big increase in the finance cost despite of having the IR loan.

So the finance cost incurred on phase 2 gets capitalized.

Okay. Is it an industry practice? Is that an industry practice?

Yeah. It is required by Ayaparas and India as well.

Okay. So, thank you. I'll get back to the queue.

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Vijay, an individual investor. Please go ahead.

Yes, sorry, I might have missed some of your initial comments or initial answers, because I was disconnected. The recent amendment which is made to the company's memorandum, the new... Clause about power generation which I introduced with new avenues of nuclear and solar, etc. Could you enlighten the shareholders about what are the company's plans for expanding its power generation operations in India in this particular field?

Yeah, so I think with regards, I'm just talking particularly with respect to India, because I'm going to be talking in general with India and internationally. We, as a company, are looking seriously at the renewable space. I mean, and not just solar, we're looking at solar, we're looking at wind, we're looking at a combination of both of them with battery storage. So you have around-the-clock power. So there are certain opportunities that we are currently investigating and assessing. And with regards to nuclear, I think the whole concept of the small modular reactor, which we term as SMRs now, seems to be gaining a lot of attraction. And given that we are in the power space, we have been also looking at that sector in terms of development. But I think the SMR space is very new, and it will take a little more time to evolve. But we are actively looking at all the developments that are taking place there.

So, all these activities are going to be international and not in India?

No, I don't think we're saying that we are international and not in India. We're looking at it in all geographies, including India. I think, Bishai, we are quite location agnostic. I think what we do look for is where the best returns for the risk that you're going to be taking come from. That could be very well in India or elsewhere.

I'm sorry if I have misrepresented, but what I meant was, for a long time, we have not expanded any of our Indian operations. So that's why I asked, because in India today, there's a lot of scope for these particular activities.

Yes, so we, I mean, like we said. We look at returns, and we look at the risk. In the renewal space, although there's been a lot of expansion in India, sometimes it's been a hit or a miss, given the tariffs and the grid situation. So we look at the geographies, you know, without being partial to India or international, we're looking at the best returns and risk. And that's really played out well for us. If you look at Zambia today, it's generating good revenue and good profits.

Yes, I agree with you. The Zambia operation has been a runaway success. Coming to the Ivory Coast operation, when we are looking for manganese there, you have also stated that you are likely to put up a manganese alloy plant there. Is there any progress on that?

So I think with respect to the mine, we have disclosed that the exploration results have used a constant regard, so we are in the process of converting that into exploitation, but this particular mine that we have worked on is exclusively targeting the Indian operations. In order to set up a factory in Ivory Coast, there is another mine, which is right now controlled by the government, for which we are looking to be JV partners. That's still under the approval phase, but once that does come through, then we could evaluate setting it up there.

Thank you for the now. So I will go back in the queue if there is still time.

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Sai Shreyas from Scientific Investing. Please go ahead.

Sir, does the reported OCF of NAVA Limited include 100% of Zambian cash flows or is it adjusted as per NAVA 65% share?

100%. 100% consolidation.

Sorry, sir?

100% consolidation.

Okay. And one last question is, sir, the metals business is struggling in terms of margin, and what is the outlook going forward for margins and sales growth going forward?

I think the metals business, as you know, is one of, it's volume-driven rather than margin-driven. So, quarter-on-quarter cases, we have seen actually a slight improvement in terms of pricing on the spot market to the extent of about 5% to 10%. Going forward, we are quite well ring-fenced against any volatilities because almost 70% of our production will be committed, either under long-term contracts or So, I think, to answer your question with respect to margins, we could probably either see stability in terms of where we are today, or it's not a slight increase. But I don't see a downward trend, at least until the end of the financial.

Okay. What about the sales, sir? Like, it is stagnant from last year. That's the reason I'm asking.

Your question was not clear. Can you please comment?

Sir, I am talking about the sales growth. What is the expected sales growth?

Hello.

Yeah, so I think this particular quarter, as we disclosed, the Orissa unit was under shutdown for long-term maintenance activities. That's the reason the sales numbers have slightly decreased. But anyhow, that is behind us now. We have resumed operations from Orissa as well on 1st of August.

Okay, okay, so thank you.

Thank you. As there are no further questions from the participants, I now hand the conference over to the management for closing remarks. Over to you.

Thank you once again for joining us today and for your continued interest in Ava. We believe the resilience of our core businesses and the progress of our growth platforms position us well for sustainable long-term value creation. If you have any further questions or required additional information, please feel free to reach out to our Investor Relations team. Thank you and have a pleasure.

On behalf of ICICI Securities, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.