Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I have 22 Years of industry experience in proposal and process estimation on various EPC projects, including power plants, Steel plants, infrastructure, and Petrochemical. I have delivered over $635M in project value and 1,000+ MW of installed capacity.

Executed strategic first breakthrough EPC orders in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Q2. In the current 2026 macro environment, what is the prevailing industry standard for 'Price Escalation Clauses' in multi-year EPC contracts?

For EPC contracts, price escalations are not accepted; they are usually on a lump-sum turnkey basis only. However, some PSUs can accept the escalation of steel & cement.

Q3. When estimating for large-scale steel or energy plants today, what is the observed 'Cost Premium' associated with de-risking supply chains away from single-source geographies, and is this premium typically being absorbed by the client or the EPC provider?

Premiums are around 5 to 10%, and the same shall be published in the large EPC company's annual turnover to shareholders.

Q4. With high interest rates, have you observed a material shift in 'Advance Payment' norms for industrial EPC? Are clients pushing for more backloaded 'Milestone' payments, and how does that typically affect the working capital cycle of a Tier-1 EPC firm?

Yes—there has been a clear and material shift (2023–2026) in EPC payment structures, driven by rising interest rates, tighter liquidity, and greater lender discipline. What you’re observing is absolutely consistent with market reality.

Q5. As projects move from traditional power to complex WTE and non-power steel, has the average lead time between 'Order Acceptance' and the 'First Revenue Recognition' milestone lengthened, and by how many months on average?

Nowadays, trends have changed . Now NTP will start soon when we get order acceptance.

Q6. In your ground-level experience, what is the single most common execution gap that currently causes the highest rate of 'Proposal Attrition' before a contract is signed?

In EPC, the biggest risk is in construction and a proper risk assessment study. 

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?

Proper selection of EPC contractor based on capabilities and extrication strength, not on a low-cost basis.