India's solar energy agency changes bidding policy after Adani bribery allegations: Report

One of India’s government departments tasked with pushing renewable energy had altered the tendering procedure for power tenders to cut corruption risk in the wake of U.S. claims of bribery in Adani Group scandals, an official familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is paid commission for connecting renewable energy companies with consumers. It served as a middle man for solar power deals between Adani Group and a number of states where US officials have claimed bribes were given to unknown officials between 2021 and 2022.

US officials have never accused SECI of misconduct.

SECI, which chooses renewable energy generators for projects by SECI bidding changes and enters into contracts with power customers, said last month that it had "no basis so far” to investigate the charges and that it was “not clears if any of SECI’s covenants have been violated".

Around 75 per cent of SECI’s new renewable energy bidding policy will now take into account demand from the states rather than, in the past, seeking power producers through tenders first and buyers later, the SECI official who declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the matter said.

It had become more susceptible to corruption by renewable power projects India, he said, trying to persuade state buyers to enter contracts when they didn’t really need the power. The official did not mention any firms, or offer any examples.

SECI had no interest in conducting independent investigations into deals it had participated in, the source added, adding that no agency inside or outside India had contacted it.

Adani bribery allegations, however, might temporarily restrict foreign investments India renewable energy sector, the source said, noting that SECI expected tenders to stall for the remainder of the fiscal year ending March 31.