No bidders for NTPC’s 1.2 GW solar project despite deadline extensions

National Thermal Power Corp. (NTPC), India’s largest energy conglomerate, has suffered a serious blow to its reputation after it failed to attract bids for its 1.2 GW solar project, despite multiple deadline extensions.

August 8, 2019 Preeti Verma Lal

Image: NTPC

NTPC launched the tender for grid-connected solar PV projects with Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connectivity last November. It has since undergone several deadline extensions. The new submission deadline is Aug. 19.

The tender terms remain unchanged, with 50 MW set as the minimum bid and 600 MW as the maximum for a single party. However, NTPC has also extended the bid submission deadline for 1 GW of solar projects under the Centre Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Program Phase II, Tranche-1, which was first tendered in June 2019. The new submission deadline for that tender is Aug. 16. Under the CPSU program initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, government producers will get four years (2019-23) to set up 12 GW of solar power projects across the country.

In May, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) granted an electricity trading license to NTPC to help it implement renewable energy projects in India – especially solar projects.

Founded in 1975 to accelerate power development in India, NTPC’s total installed capacity is 52.9 GW, including joint ventures. By 2032, NTPC expects non-fossil generating capacity will account for nearly 30% of its portfolio.

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