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Private sector power producer JSW Energy, which is looking to raise up to INR 5,000 crore, is eyeing stressed projects for acquisition, a top official said on Wednesday.

"Our growth stagnated for the past four years, but now we have decided to grow significantly. We have plans to raise INR 5,000 crore to fund our expansion plans which will be organically as well as inorganically.We may not raise the entire amount at one time. There are a number of stressed projects we may look at acquiring, for which we will be using the funds," JSW Energy chairman Sajjan Jindal told reporters on the sidelines of the company's 20th annual general meeting.

Mr Jindal, however, said he could not at the moment give timeline for raising the money. According to the company annual report, JSW Energy has sought an approval of its shareholders for mopping up INR 5,000 crore through an issue of secured/unsecured redeemable non-convertible debentures on a private placement basis, as well as the utilisation of the funds.

Asked about the company's plan to acquire Lanco Infratech's 1,200 MW thermal power plant at Udupi in Western Karnataka, Mr Jindal said, "There are various opportunities we are looking at across the country, but we cannot name any specific project. We have a good balance sheet and we are open to any such acquisitions. He also said that the company is also open to opportunities in global markets.

Responding to a query if the company plans to take up ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs), he said, "We want to have a diversified portfolio in various states and not concentrate on one state. However, we will participate in coal auction, since we currently depend more on imported fuel."

The company, which is primarily engaged only in generation, is keenly evaluating opportunities in the distribution space, he said."To be a fully integrated player in the power sector, we are keenly evaluating opportunities in the distribution space. We think there is a need to open up the power distribution segment as well to make the sector more efficient and transparent. So, as and when the sector is opened up, we will also look at expanding in that segment," Mr Jindal said. Meanwhile, the company on the same day posted a 51.9 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at INR 325.47 crore for the quarter ended June 30.