Introduction

India is making steady progress towards renewable energy, but producing clean electricity is only half the job. Getting that electricity to the grid, arranging land, securing approvals, and completing projects on time remain major challenges for companies in the sector.

This is where NGE Green Energy is trying to make a difference. Instead of focusing only on installing solar panels, the company is working to build the infrastructure needed to make solar projects work over the long term.

Founded in 2019, NGE Green Energy follows a developer-led infrastructure model that covers project development, power evacuation infrastructure, and long-term maintenance. The company has delivered approximately 300–350 MW of solar projects, serving industries, textile businesses, hospitals, and other commercial consumers with high electricity requirements.

In a conversation with Indian Startup Times, Sudharman Ezhil, Director and CEO of NGE Green Energy, shared how his family’s business background influenced his move into renewable energy, how the company approaches solar project development, and why better planning is essential for the sector’s growth.

From Oil and Gas to Renewable Energy

For Sudharman Ezhil, entering the renewable energy sector meant exploring a new business opportunity while building on his family’s industrial experience.

His family has been involved in the oil and gas industry for around 30 years. After completing his master’s degree in robotics and automation, Sudharman returned to India and began looking for opportunities in emerging sectors.

Having seen how global economic changes could affect the oil and gas industry, he started thinking about where the next phase of growth might come from. Renewable energy stood out as a sector with long-term potential.

“We thought green energy would be the future for the next 25 to 30 years,” Sudharman said during the interview.

That belief eventually led to the establishment of NGE Green Energy in 2019.

The company did not aim to grow overnight. Instead, Sudharman focused on understanding the market, identifying customer needs, and building a business around the value it could deliver.

He believes that customers should see a clear benefit in choosing a company, rather than simply being offered a product or service.

Over the years, this approach has helped NGE Green Energy build its solar project portfolio, with approximately 300–350 MW delivered to date.

The company primarily works with businesses that consume large amounts of electricity and are looking for alternatives to conventional energy sources.

Why NGE Green Energy Looks Beyond Solar Panel Installation

In the solar industry, many companies follow an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. Under this approach, a company designs and builds a project before handing it over to the customer.

NGE Green Energy has chosen a different route.

Sudharman explained that the company focuses on developing the infrastructure required to make solar projects operational, rather than limiting its work to construction.

Its approach includes project planning, substations, transmission lines, solar-park infrastructure, and arrangements to transfer generated electricity to the grid.

The company also provides maintenance for up to 25 years under its project model, allowing it to remain involved long after construction is completed.

Around 2021–2022, NGE Green Energy began developing a solar-park approach in Tamil Nadu. The idea was to build the supporting infrastructure needed for multiple solar projects instead of treating every installation as a separate activity.

This gives customers and investors access to a more complete solution, from project development to the infrastructure required to deliver electricity.

For Sudharman, the real difference lies in taking responsibility over the long term.

He also credited the company’s technical and management teams for supporting its operations. The team brings experience in electrical substations, transmission lines, energy infrastructure, finance, legal matters, and research and development.

According to him, having the right people and technical expertise is essential when a company is responsible for projects that must operate reliably for years.

The Grid Connectivity Challenge

One of the biggest challenges in renewable energy is ensuring that the electricity generated by a project can actually reach the grid.

Sudharman highlighted a significant difference between the time required to complete a solar project and the time needed to develop the infrastructure that supports it.

According to him, a solar project may take around one to two years to complete, while the associated power evacuation infrastructure can take six to eight years in some cases.

This creates a gap between the growth of renewable energy projects and the development of the grid infrastructure needed to support them.

Even when a solar project is ready, delays in transmission lines, substations, or grid connectivity can create difficulties for developers.

To address these challenges, NGE Green Energy works with distribution companies, utilities, and other stakeholders to identify suitable locations and improve project planning.

The company also avoids taking on projects in locations where grid connectivity could become a major obstacle. Instead, it looks for areas where the available infrastructure and evacuation arrangements make execution more practical.

Sudharman believes that continued investment in transmission infrastructure and green energy corridors will be important for the sector’s long-term growth.

However, he also pointed out that companies must work around existing limitations instead of assuming that infrastructure will always be ready when a project is completed.

Land and Approvals Can Slow Down Solar Projects

Grid connectivity is only one part of the challenge. Securing land and obtaining the necessary approvals can also delay solar projects.

Sudharman identified land procurement as one of the most difficult stages because it involves working with landowners and local communities.

Solar projects often require large areas of land, and developers need to understand local concerns before moving forward. Clear communication and strong relationships can help make this process smoother.

Statutory approvals and coordination with utilities can also affect project timelines, although careful planning may help reduce some of these delays.

Sudharman believes developers need to look beyond technical requirements and understand the realities on the ground.

Financial planning is equally important. Projects can put pressure on a company’s working capital if they are delayed or if several large developments are taken up at the same time.

For a business operating in a capital-intensive sector, managing cash flow is just as important as securing new projects.

Why Growing Too Fast Can Become a Risk

In a competitive industry, taking on more projects may appear to be the fastest way to grow. But Sudharman believes that expansion without proper planning can create problems later.

Large projects may look attractive at the beginning, but delays in land arrangements, approvals, or grid connectivity can increase costs and affect revenue.

His approach is to take projects forward in stages and focus on completing the work already underway before committing to more.

This allows the company to manage its resources, monitor costs, and reduce the pressure that comes with uncertain project timelines.

He also emphasised the importance of being transparent with investors.

Before a project moves forward, investors should have a clear understanding of the land arrangements, power evacuation plans, and expected completion timeline.

Sudharman believes companies should avoid making promises based only on assumptions. Having practical arrangements in place gives investors greater clarity and helps build trust.

For NGE Green Energy, careful execution is not just an operational decision. It is also a way to protect customer confidence and maintain long-term business relationships.

Looking Beyond the Initial Cost of a Project

Cost is an important factor when evaluating a solar project, but Sudharman believes the cheapest option is not always the most practical one.

A project with a lower initial cost may become more expensive if it faces delays or unexpected infrastructure problems. A project with better planning and fewer execution risks may offer greater value over time.

NGE Green Energy considers factors such as project economics, execution timelines, and the potential impact of delays before moving ahead.

The company also reviews projects in phases instead of committing all its resources at once. Depending on the situation, options such as leasing land or completing projects faster may help manage costs and improve revenue timing.

The goal is to make sure that a project remains commercially viable throughout its lifecycle, rather than focusing only on the initial investment.

Sudharman’s approach reflects a practical understanding of the sector: good project economics depend not only on the cost of generating electricity but also on how effectively the project is planned and delivered.

Expansion Brings New Challenges

NGE Green Energy is exploring opportunities in other markets, including Maharashtra and Karnataka.

However, entering a new geography is not simply about replicating an existing business model. Every region comes with its own local conditions, utility requirements, land-related concerns, and stakeholder relationships.

Sudharman explained that technical processes are often easier to structure, while local coordination can be more complicated.

Building relationships with local communities, understanding regional requirements, and communicating clearly with utilities are important when entering a new market.

He believes companies need to understand what local stakeholders expect while also making their own requirements clear.

For NGE Green Energy, successful expansion will depend on more than identifying new business opportunities. It will also require the right teams, strong local relationships, and a clear understanding of the challenges in each region.

Building for the Long Term

NGE Green Energy’s journey highlights an important part of India’s renewable energy transition: generating clean power is only one step in the process. The infrastructure needed to deliver that power reliably is just as important.

For companies in the sector, success depends on managing several challenges at once, from land procurement and approvals to grid connectivity, financing, and long-term maintenance.

Sudharman’s approach centres on steady growth, realistic planning, and creating value for customers. By focusing on infrastructure development and staying involved throughout the project lifecycle, NGE Green Energy aims to offer a more complete solution to businesses investing in solar energy.

His experience also offers a practical lesson for other entrepreneurs: growth should be supported by strong execution, clear communication, and a realistic understanding of the risks involved.

As India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, companies that can bridge the gap between power generation and dependable infrastructure will have an important role to play in the sector’s future.

For NGE Green Energy, the opportunity lies not just in building more solar projects, but in helping ensure that those projects can deliver value over the long term.

-By Palak Pandey