Hexa Climate Solutions, ACME Solar Holdings, and Avaada Energy are winners in NTPC’s auction to supply 1,200 MW of firm and dispatchable power with assured peak power supply from interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected renewable energy projects.

Hexa Climate won 300 MW at a tariff of ₹4.69 (~$0.0556)/kWh. ACME Solar quoted ₹4.70 (~$0.0557)/kWh to win 400 MW.

Avaada won 60 MW out of the quoted capacity of 250 MW at ₹4.70 (~$0.0557)/kWh under the bucket-filling method.

The tender was issued in June this year.

The projects are to be developed on a build-own-operate basis. NTPC had noted that the minimum project size would be 50 MW in multiples of 10 MW after that. The maximum capacity to be allotted to a single bidder was set to be 600 MW. Energy storage systems are mandatory for the project. The power availability from these projects is mandated to be at least 90% during peak hours of contracted capacity in MW. The minimum declared capacity utilization factor (CUF) must be 40%.

To promote FDRE, the Ministry of Power issued guidelines for the tariff-based competitive bidding process for procuring firm and dispatchable power from grid-connected renewable energy projects with energy storage systems.

The objective was to provide reliable and predictable renewable power to distribution companies while addressing the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of renewables and low-capacity utilization of the transmission system.

Renewable energy agencies, including NTPC, Solar Energy Corporation of India, NHPC, and SJVN, have so far issued FDRE tenders.

In a recent FDRE auction by SJVN, Hero Solar Energy, Ganeko Solar (Zelestra), Juniper Green Energy, ReNew, and Avaada emerged as winners. Juniper, ReNew, Zelestra, and Hero won 200 MW, 150 MW, 140 MW, and 120 MW at a tariff of ₹4.25 (~$0.0506)/kWh. Avaada was awarded 590 MW at ₹4.26 (~$0.0507)/kWh.

Under this tender, SJVN mandated a CUF of 80%. The average monthly peak hour availability was specified as 90%.

Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker to stay on top of real-time tender activity.