"We have been evaluating interesting opportunities for inorganic growth. With significant assets in the sector being stressed, a meaningful engagement with the lenders will be essential to evaluate and conclude deals.
"We are planning to acquire nearly Rs 4,000-5,000 crore worth of assets in the future," JSW Energy Chairman Sajjan Jindal told reporters on the sidelines of the company's AGM.
The company has acquired assets worth Rs 12,000-13,000 crore in the last 2-3 years and it is currently evaluating 8-9 projects, he added.
"Currently, our focus will be on growing our hydel portfolio. We will also consider opportunities in the wind and solar sector, but that will be at a later stage," he said.
During the first quarter ended June 30, net generation rose 48 per cent, primarily due to generation from hydel plants acquired in 2015-16 and improved performance of the Ratnagiri plant.
The 300-mw Baspa-II project achieved its highest-ever generation in the June quarter since its commissioning. The plant had a gross generation of 454 million units.
Merchant sales in the quarter were 2,397 million units, while sales under long-term PPAs were 4,019 MUs.
On the industry outlook, Jindal said: "More states have joined the Uday scheme (meant for revival of debt-laden discoms) and this should help in gradually improving their operations and capacity to buy more power in the near future.
"Weak merchant power prices and recent hardening of international coal prices are expected to put pressure on margins. We expect the merchant demand and prices to remain benign unless pick-up in economic activity drives significant demand improvement," he said.