India
‘Shocking details coming soon’: Congress accuses Mahayuti govt of ‘manipulation’ in Adani power deal – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday alleged that a deal under which the Adani Group was awarded a contract to supply 6,600 MW of combined renewable and thermal energy to Maharashtra was manipulated to benefit the business conglomerate. The party accused the Mahayuti Government of facilitating the deal in recent days, pointing to possible corruption ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh criticised the move on social media platform X. “Even as the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is heading for a crushing defeat, this is what they are choosing to do with their last few days in power. No doubt another Modani venture!” he said.
“Shocking details about this rigged deal will soon emerge,” Ramesh added.
Adani Group was awarded the contract after submitting the lowest bid of Rs 4.08 per unit, outperforming rivals JSW Energy and Torrent Power.
Moreover, the bid for the 25-year renewable and thermal energy aggregation was nearly a rupee lower than Maharashtra’s current electricity purchase cost of Rs 4.97 per kWh for 2024-25. This is expected to help meet the state’s future electricity needs.
Under the terms of the bid, Adani Power will supply 1,496 MW of thermal power from a new 1,600 MW ultra-supercritical capacity while Adani Green Energy Ltd will supply 5 GW of solar power from the Khavda renewable energy park in Kutch district of Gujarat. Adani Green Energy will supply solar power at a fixed price of Rs 2.70 per unit for the entire supply period, while the cost of coal-based power will be indexed to coal prices.
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) had floated a unique tender for procurement of 5,000 MW of solar power and 1,600 MW of coal-fired power in March, just before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into effect. The tender was awarded to Adani before the announcement of the Assembly elections in the state.
The tender combined solar power with thermal electricity to meet peak energy demand and non-sun hours, giving renewable and coal-based electricity equal weight.
Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh criticised the move on social media platform X. “Even as the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is heading for a crushing defeat, this is what they are choosing to do with their last few days in power. No doubt another Modani venture!” he said.
“Shocking details about this rigged deal will soon emerge,” Ramesh added.
Adani Group was awarded the contract after submitting the lowest bid of Rs 4.08 per unit, outperforming rivals JSW Energy and Torrent Power.
Moreover, the bid for the 25-year renewable and thermal energy aggregation was nearly a rupee lower than Maharashtra’s current electricity purchase cost of Rs 4.97 per kWh for 2024-25. This is expected to help meet the state’s future electricity needs.
Under the terms of the bid, Adani Power will supply 1,496 MW of thermal power from a new 1,600 MW ultra-supercritical capacity while Adani Green Energy Ltd will supply 5 GW of solar power from the Khavda renewable energy park in Kutch district of Gujarat. Adani Green Energy will supply solar power at a fixed price of Rs 2.70 per unit for the entire supply period, while the cost of coal-based power will be indexed to coal prices.
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) had floated a unique tender for procurement of 5,000 MW of solar power and 1,600 MW of coal-fired power in March, just before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into effect. The tender was awarded to Adani before the announcement of the Assembly elections in the state.
The tender combined solar power with thermal electricity to meet peak energy demand and non-sun hours, giving renewable and coal-based electricity equal weight.
