ISTS

Bidders interested in competing for a tender which will allocate 6 GW of solar capacity linked, pro rata, with 2 GW of manufacturing output now have until September 11 to register their bid as administrator the Solar Energy Corporation of India will amend the exercise to incorporate developer feedback.

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.

Unlike the other, India-wide 1.2 GW tender, rolled out simultaneously, the delivery point for these projects should be chosen from designated inter-state transmission system substations in Madhya Pradesh.

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.

Global bids are now invited to set up 2 GW of solar manufacturing capacity linked to 6 GW of inter-state-connected solar power projects. The projects—to be developed on ‘build-own-operate’ basis—shall be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding followed by e-reverse auction. Tariff ceiling is fixed at Rs 2.75/kWh for a period of 25 years. Bidding closes on July 26.

India’s leading solar region has been forced to apply the brakes to new solar with its power distribution companies having fulfilled their renewable purchase obligations for the next two years. Projects driven by federal agencies will continue, however.

The Solar Energy Corporation (SECI) has pushed back the bid submission deadline for ISTS-connected 1.2 GW wind-solar hybrid projects by two weeks. On the other hand, the revised deadline for 200 MW grid-connected solar PV power capacity in Uttarakhand is now April 30.

The projects, in Maharashtra, will be commissioned through a reverse auction with technical bidding to close on December 19. The deadline for the submission of financial bids and the date for the reverse auction after the opening of financial bids, will be published in due course.

The independent power producer has continuously expanded its project pipeline, routinely winning multimegawatt tenders. The latest winning bid relates to a pending PPA at Rs2.64 per kWh.

The projects are to be developed on a build-own-operate basis for an aggregate capacity of 2,500 MW. The eligible bid capacity is 200-500 MW, with a project capacity of at least 50 MW at one project site. The maximum tariff payable to each project developer is fixed at Rs 2.93/kWh for the entire term of 25 years.