The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has justified the transfer of a 2,333 MW power project from Azure to the Adani Group, citing Andhra Pradesh’s power needs and the unchanged terms of the contract. This defense comes amid ongoing debates by the Chandrababu Naidu government regarding the controversial solar power deal.
In a submission to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on December 7, 2024, SECI stated that Andhra Pradesh had requested the supply, and SECI was able to finalize the generation and supply of the required quantum by Adani Group under the same terms and conditions. SECI emphasized that the transfer did not alter the essential terms approved by the CERC for the overall Andhra power project on April 2, 2022.
SECI further clarified that the additional allocation to Adani Group was within the approved quantum of 9,234 MW, selected through an e-reverse auction. The corporation also noted that it had adhered to the tariff approved by the commission during the transfer process.
During an October 28, 2024 hearing, the CERC questioned whether the substitution of the power developer from Azure to Adani was permissible under SECI’s tender document. SECI responded that there was no prohibition in the bidding guidelines against the process and cited Supreme Court orders supporting the principle. SECI maintained that it acted within its authority to allocate the 2,333 MW to Adani Group after Azure Power failed to implement the project.
SECI’s decision was driven by the need to ensure that Andhra Pradesh could secure the full 7,000 MW of power it intended to procure. By reallocating the project to Adani Group under the same terms, SECI aimed to effectively meet the state’s power requirements.
