Solar auction activity in the month of September plummeted to approximately 550 MW. This is just one fourth of the total capacity auctioned in August, and only one tenth of total capacity auctioned in July.

A total of 1.4 GW of solar projects were tendered in September, which is 300 MW less than compared to August, according to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker. This is the third lowest capacity tendered in a month for 2018. The lowest month being July, when only about 800 MW was tendered.

September’s decline in auction activity follows the imposition of safeguard duty on the import of solar cells and modules from China and Malaysia on July 30th.

According to the tender trajectory issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), approximately 30 GW is expected to be tendered in FY 2018-19. Approximately 22.5 GW has already been tendered.

Major Tenders in September

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) has issued a tender to develop 1,400 MW (AC) of solar projects in 30 circles of the state. 50 MW solar projects will be developed in 26 circles, while 25 MW solar projects will be developed in four circles.

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) has invited expression of interest (EoI) to develop 100 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects at Chandrapur, in the state of Maharashtra. The projects will be located at the ash bund lagoon 1 and 2 near the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS).

Auctions Highlights from September

Aditya Birla Renewables emerged as the L1 bidder by quoting a tariff of ₹2.44 (~$0.0338)/kWh to develop 100 MW of solar PV capacity at the recent auction held by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for 500 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Giriraj Renewables (Avadaa) also quoted ₹2.44 (~$0.0338)/kWh to develop 300 MW. Azure Power was the other winner quoting ₹2.45 (~$0.0339)/kWh to develop 500 MW, but will be awarded 100 MW as defined by the bucket filling method.

Azure Power was the winner in the recent auction held by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) for the development of 6 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Koraput, located in the state of Odisha. The company quoted a tariff of ₹3.13 (~$0.0433)/kWh to develop the 6 MW grid-connected solar PV project.

Image credit: Adani Renewable Energy Park Rajasthan Ltd.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer