Amp Energy India, ReNew Vikram Shakti, Hero Future Energies, and ACME Cleantech Solutions have won the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)’s auction for developing 1,200 MW of the interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-VI) with energy storage and assured peak power supply across India.

ReNew Vikram Shakti won the largest capacity of 600 MW by quoting ₹4.69 (~$0.05)/kWh, ACME Solar followed with a capacity of 380 MW at ₹4.73 (~$0.05)/ kWh, while Hero won 120 MW at a tariff of ₹4.72 (~$0.05)/ kWh. Amp Energy India won 100 MW by quoting the lowest tariff of all other winners at ₹4.64 (~$0.05)/ kWh.

The tender was floated in November last year.

As a part of the project, it is compulsory to install an energy storage system with a minimum capacity of 100 MWh for every 100 MW of project capacity.

The project must be commissioned within 24 months of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) effective date.

As per the agreement, the developer must supply energy corresponding to a maximum of 4,000 kWh per MW of the contracted capacity daily during the cumulative number of peak hours, as per the schedule provided by the buying entity.

The projects must be connected to the central transmission utility’s network at 220 kV or above voltage level.

While developers are free to choose project locations, SECI has specified the project delivery points, which are limited to the substations of the ISTS network.

The substations are located in Andhra Pradesh (2), Madhya Pradesh (2), Karnataka (1), Maharashtra (1), and Tamil Nadu (1). The goal is to align project installations with the necessary transmission and evacuation infrastructure augmentation.

According to the tender, a hybrid power project refers to a project that consists of two components, namely a solar and a wind power project. The rated installed capacity of either of the two components must be at least 33% of the contracted capacity.

If the energy generation exceeds the limit corresponding to the maximum annual Capacity Utilization Factor, the developer is prohibited from selling it to any other entity, except SECI. However, SECI reserves the right to refuse to purchase the excess energy. If SECI purchases the excess energy, the rate will be 75% of the PPA tariff.

In another auction for SECI’s 1,200 MW interstate ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid projects (Tranche-V), Tata Power, Amp Energy India, NTPC, and SJVN were declared winners.

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