SECI tenders further 1.2 GW of solar across India

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has invited bids to set up 1.2 GW of grid-connected solar under the fifth phase of its national interstate transmission system program. The projects – to be established on a build, own, operate basis – will be awarded through e-bidding and a reverse auction with a tariff ceiling of Rs2.65/kWh. Bidding closes on July 31.

July 2, 2019 Uma Gupta

The last 1.2 GW solar auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) prompted a lowest tariff of Rs2.54/kWh, slightly below the Rs2.55 seen in February’s procurement.

Image Credit: Engie

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has tendered a further 1.2 GW of interstate transmission system connected solar. The central government body will sign 25-year PPAs with successful bidders with a maximum tariff of Rs2.65/kWh. Power from the projects will be sold to utilities.

The last 1.2 GW solar auction saw four companies – Ayana Renewable, ReNew Power, Azure Power and Mahindra Susten – secure a combined 1.15 GW of generation capacity at Rs2.54/kWh. Avaada Energy secured the remaining 50 MW at Rs2.55.

Capacities offered

As per the guidelines issued by SECI for Phase V implementation, project selection will be technology agnostic, meaning crystalline silicon, thin film or concentrator PV – with or without trackers – can be considered.

Each bidder can compete for 50-600 MW of the available capacity in 10 MW multiples. Individual projects, however must have a minimum capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 300 MW.

Developers can establish cumulative project capacity at one location or divide projects into blocks at multiple locations however single-project blocks must be in the same state. Projects can consist of any number of blocks, each in capacity multiples of 10 MW, with the minimum capacity of each block 20 MW.

Land and connectivity

Land, connectivity and long-term open access shall be within the scope of developers, which must demonstrate possession of 100% of the land identified for projects within a year of the effective date of power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Solar projects must be designed for inter-connection with the Central Transmission Utility network at voltages of at least 132 kV. The minimum voltage for a single block will be 33 kV.

The declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) of successful projects should not be less than 17%. Excess generation over and above 10% of the declared annual CUF will be purchased by SECI at its discretion at a fixed tariff of 75% of the PPA tariff agreed, provided SECI is able to provide a buyer for the power.

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