Adani Group History

Adani Group began in 1988 when Gautam Adani started Adani Exports in Ahmedabad. The business first dealt in commodities and later expanded into infrastructure and energy.

• Adani Enterprises listed on the stock exchanges in 1994.
• Mundra Port became a major part of the group’s growth.
• Adani Power was created during the group’s expansion into electricity.
• Adani Wilmar was formed in 1999 with Wilmar International.
• The group later entered renewable energy, airports, gas, cement, media, and data centres.
• Adani Transmission is now called Adani Energy Solutions.
• The current listed portfolio includes Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Power, Adani Green Energy, Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Total Gas, ACC, Ambuja Cements, NDTV, Sanghi Industries, and Orient Cement. 

The Adani Group started in 1988 when Gautam Adani founded Adani Exports in Ahmedabad.

The company initially traded agricultural commodities and power-related products.

Before starting the business, Gautam Adani had worked as a diamond sorter. The commodity trading company later became Adani Enterprises.

The Adani Group grew from a commodity trading business into a group operating across several sectors. Here are some important milestones:

This timeline shows how the Adani Group moved from commodity trading into several infrastructure and utility businesses.

The Adani Group started with commodity trading and gradually entered sectors connected with infrastructure, energy, and utilities.

Its expansion included:

• Commodity trading: The group began with commodity trading in 1988.
• Infrastructure: Its entry into the port business at Mundra marked a major move into infrastructure.
• Energy: The group expanded into thermal power generation and later renewable energy.
• Mining and resources: The group developed natural resource businesses in India and overseas.
• City gas distribution: The group entered city gas distribution in 2001.
• Airports and media: The group later expanded into airports and media.

The group also developed operations outside India, including businesses in Australia and Indonesia.

Several listed companies operate across different businesses associated with the Adani Group.

1. Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL)

Adani Enterprises Limited is the flagship company of the Adani Group.

The company traces its roots to the commodity trading business started in 1988. It later expanded into businesses such as airports, roads, natural resources, and other infrastructure areas.

Several Adani businesses were initially developed under Adani Enterprises before becoming separate companies.

2. Adani Power Limited (APL)

Adani Power Limited was formed in 1996.

The company operates in the power generation sector and mainly runs thermal power plants. In 2014, it became India’s largest private thermal power generator with an installed capacity of 9,280 MW.

3. Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL)

Adani Green Energy Limited was established in 2015.

The company develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects. Its main areas include solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects.

4. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ)

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited operates ports, terminals, logistics infrastructure, and related services.

The group entered the port business at Mundra in 1995. Multipurpose berths became operational in 1998, while commercial operations began in 2001.

APSEZ’s activities include:

• Operating ports and terminals
• Handling cargo
• Providing logistics services
• Developing related infrastructure

5. Adani Energy Solutions Limited

Adani Energy Solutions Limited operates in electricity transmission and distribution.

The company was earlier known as Adani Transmission Limited. Its name changed to Adani Energy Solutions Limited in July 2023.

The company builds, operates, and maintains electricity transmission infrastructure and related networks.

6. Adani Total Gas Limited

Adani Total Gas Limited operates in the city gas distribution business.

The company supplies natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and transport customers.

Its operations include compressed natural gas, or CNG, for vehicles and piped natural gas, or PNG, for homes and businesses.

7. Adani Wilmar Limited

Adani Wilmar was formed in 1999 as a joint venture between the Adani Group and Wilmar International.

The business operated across edible oils and food products, including:

• Cooking oils
• Pulses
• Rice
• Sugar
• Flour

Adani Enterprises later completed its exit from the business by selling its remaining stake. Adani Wilmar, now known as AWL Agri Business Limited, is therefore part of the Adani Group’s business history rather than a current Adani Group company.

Adani Group started in 1988 as a commodity trading business and gradually expanded into ports, power, renewable energy, gas, airports, cement, logistics, media, and other sectors. Mundra Port played an important role in this growth. Today, the group includes several separately listed companies, so investors should understand each company individually rather than treating every Adani business as the same investment.