Case study: SECI

Industry News

Case Study 6
Sector: Government
Case in Focus: SECI

A stronger policy-making authority is essential for a widespread acceptance, whether it be of green energy, technology, or a change in the fuel used in transportation. The roll out is made easier with a draught structure, supportive policies, and a nodal agency that can put it into action. Regular interventions guarantee that the aim is met within the allotted period. When new ideas are embraced or put into practice, governments all over the world operate in the aforementioned format. When India sought to harness solar energy as part of its energy security policy, it was no different from other nations. Solar was a natural choice because India experiences more than 300 sunny days annually in much of the nation.

India rolled out the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) or the National Solar Mission (NSM) in the year 2010 setting a target of achieving 20 GW from solar by 2022. However, the target was later revised to 100 GW by 2022 in 2015.

One of the key organizations in charge of the development of renewable energy in India is the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). In 2011, it was established as a CPSU to expedite the use of solar energy through the National Solar Mission. However, by unifying the entire portfolio of renewable energy sources under one aegis, the corporation's mandate was further widened.

SECI's current mandate includes setting up turnkey solar power projects for the public sector entities. Additionally, the company has a licence for power trading. It aims to lead the nation in the use of renewable energy on a big scale and in solar energy technical know-how. Additionally, it also collaborates closely with businesses to maximise solar energy that is connected to the grid.

So, what distinguishes SECI? This nodal agency, which reports to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has a significant role to play. It is in charge of carrying out the many plans the government has for the solar industry. This includes grid-connected rooftop solar installations, large solar parks, and many more.

SECI is a self-generating and self-sustaining organisation in its existing form. Additionally, SECI is permitted to manufacture solar products and materials. Apart from solar energy, the corporation will actively participate in the development of all sectors of renewable energy, including geo-thermal, offshore wind, tidal, and others, under a broader mandate.

And it is crucial for a corporation like SECI to share the knowledge it has with other industry players. One of the finest platforms like The smarter E India / Intersolar India 2022 expo and conference offers just the right platform. It enables one-on-one interaction between the nodal agency and the stakeholders. To be organised in Gujarat from December 7–9 at Gandhinagar, a company like SECI may add more value.

HL: SECI enabling the green adoption

Gujarat-based Bagheria Group of Industries, a traditional chemical manufacturing company, ventured into solar energy in 2014 to offset captive energy needs.

The journey began with a 1 MW solar installation in Tarapur. Today, the company implements turnkey projects not just for the private sector, but also Central government agencies as an EPC partner.

A company of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, SECI or the Solar Energy Corporation of India, is a Category-1 licensee for trading of power on pan-India basis, is one such customer.

SECI is a power procurement intermediary for projects being set up through its tenders, procuring power from developers and selling to Discoms though long term PPAs/PSAs. Established to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission, it is the only Central Public Sector Undertaking dedicated to the solar energy sector.

SECI turned to Bagheria industries for its requirements. Dr. Vikas Ghuwalewala, General Manager – Solar, Bagheria Industries, informs, “We have installed ground mounted solar panels across 200 acres of land for SECI. It is our endeavour to enable SECI that has ventured into solar project development on turnkey basis for several PSUs/Government departments.”

The objective points out Mr Ghuwalewala, for SECI to install solar power is to meet increasing renewable energy demands from the DISCOMS. “So for example if a state has renewable energy requirements, SECI as a nodal agency supplants those needs.”

“Besides, as a Category 1 power trading license SECI actively trades solar power from projects set up under the schemes being implemented by it,” he quips.

The partnership with SECI started in 2015, when the EPC company won a 30 MW solar power project from Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Under this deal, installed 30 MW solar power plant at Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra over two years, at a fixed tariff of Rs.4.41/unit. BIL executed the complete project on a turnkey basis. The agreement included operating and maintaining the plant for 25 years.

Consequent to stabilization of its solar power plants, there has been a steady contribution of around 7% to the topline leading to sustaining healthy contribution to BIL’s overall operating profit margins and cash flows

Parallelly, BIL has been scaling up the solar energy for captive use as well as for its EPC business unit.

Informs Dr Ghuwalewala, “It is against our policy use agricultural land for commercial purpose. We use barren land to install solar panels. Overall, we have installed capacity of 39 MW dc solar power plant at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and a 4.78 MW operational solar rooftop project in Chennai. We have also installed solar power into the open access solar parks. The idea is to reduce carbon emissions and make our planet sustainable.”

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ADDITIONAL INFO

Blurb:

Initiated installation of 30 MW plant in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra as EPC; turnkey project included operations and maintenance for 25 years

Quote:

“For example if a state has renewable energy requirements, SECI as a nodal agency supplants those needs,” Dr. Vikas Ghuwalewala, General Manager – Solar.


Challenges in a nutshell:

Land acquisition
Resource mobilization
Cost of installation
Climate conditions

Box: Project at glance

30 MW solar project
25 years PPA with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
» Capacity - 30MW
» Tariff – Rs 4.41/unit
» Total project capex – Rs 180 cr
» FY21 revenue – Rs 26.7 crore

Datasheet:

India is endowed with vast solar energy potential. About 5,000 trillion kWh per year energy is incident over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per sq. m per day (check the current data). Hence both technology routes for conversion of solar radiation into heat and electricity, namely, solar thermal and solar photovoltaics, can effectively be harnessed providing huge scalability for solar in India. Solar also provides the ability to generate power on a distributed basis and enables rapid capacity addition with short lead times. Off-grid decentralized, and low-temperature applications will be advantageous from a rural electrification perspective and meeting other energy needs for power and heating and cooling in both rural and urban areas.

(Source: National Solar Policy)

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