Andhra Pradesh's Solar Power Procurement Amid Bribery Allegations

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the purchase of over 4000 million units of solar power from SECI, despite bribery allegations linked to Adani Group. The agreement awaits a court decision, and involves power distribution companies procuring electricity for rural agriculture purposes.

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the state's purchase of more than 4000 million units of power from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for the upcoming fiscal year. The decision follows a request from the state's power distribution companies (DISCOMS), aiming to secure sustainable energy resources.

The agreement between SECI and Andhra Pradesh's DISCOMs has faced controversy due to bribery allegations involving Adani Group, accused by the US Department of Justice of paying $250 million to secure favorable solar power contracts. Both Adani and the AP opposition refute these claims.

The approval is contingent on pending public interest litigations in the AP High Court. The power acquisition is part of a broader strategy to distribute solar energy for agricultural purposes via the newly established AP Rural Agriculture Power Limited.