India’s SECI set for wider renewables role as commercial entity

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the body charged with delivering the country’s flagship solar programme, is to be renamed and given a wider remit for developing renewable energy in India.

Under proposals approved by the Union Cabinet, chaired by India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, SECI will be able to apply to become a commercial entity and recast itself as the ‘Renewable Energy Corporation of India’ (RECI).

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In this new guise RECI would take on responsibility for developing other forms of renewable energy – geo-thermal, off-shore wind and tidal – in addition to solar, which has been its main focus so far.

A statement published by the Indian government’s press bureau said the wider scope of the body allows for a “comprehensive and optimised” solution for integrating various renewable energy sources, ultimately reducing stress on transmission and distribution networks.

The changes would also see SECI become a so-called Section 3 rather than Section 8 company under Indian company law. Previously, as a Section 8 company, SECI was formed with charitable objectives, which meant it was prohibited from commercial activity such as trade, buying and selling for profit and distribution of dividends.

As a Section 3 company, SECI would become a self-sustaining and self-generating organisation, able to own solar power plants, generate and sell power, and engage in other segments of the solar sector, including manufacturing of solar products and materials.

SECI was established in 2011 as a not-for-profit company within India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to facilitate implementation of the JNNSM solar mission, India’s main solar procurement programme.

India is now targeting 100GW of PV by 2022.

Read Next

September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.
September 16, 2025
The SPPC has launched a request for qualifications for 5.3GW of new renewable power capacity, of which solar will account for 3.1GW.
September 16, 2025
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Tech has entered into a strategic financing agreement with Infini Capital, a globally renowned investment institution backed by a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.
Premium
September 16, 2025
At RE+, industry leaders pointed to the resilience of the US solar sector, despite challenges brought by the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' Act.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
September 16, 2025
Two of the major European solar trade associations, the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE), have called for EU policymakers to take measures supporting European solar manufacturing.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA