The auction activity picked up in May after the conclusion of the general elections which saw the beginning of NDA government’s second term under the leadership of PM Modi.

During the month, nearly 1.7 GW of solar capacity was auctioned, while the previous month saw no auctions at all.

However, the tender announcements declined with only 119 MW of solar projects tendered through the month, which was 680 MW less than the capacity tendered in April 2019, according to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker.

In a year-over-year comparison, the capacity auctioned in May 2019 was about 480 MW lower than the capacity auctioned in May 2018. The month also witnessed many bid submission deadline extensions for solar projects due to tepid responses gathered from the industry.

According to the tender trajectory issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), 30 GW is expected to be tendered in FY 2019-20. So far, around 1 GW have been successfully tendered.

Here is a quick recap of the major tenders and auctions that took place in May 2019:

Major Tenders

For the first time, most of the tender announcements came from the rooftop, and small-scale ground-mounted solar projects.

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture between the public-sector units of the Ministry of Power and the Government of India, issued a tender to set up 100 MW of solar PV projects across various substations of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand.

The Andaman & Nicobar administration issued an empanelment tender to develop 5 MW of rooftop solar PV projects. The projects will be of capacity between 1-50 kW at a single location.

On the other hand, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) issued tender to procure 71 MW of solar PV modules for the development of its solar projects. In the same month, it also issued a tender for rooftop solar PV projects of cumulative capacity 170 kW in Haryana.

Major Auctions

According to Mercom India Research, approximately 1.7 GW of solar capacity was auctioned in the month.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) auctioned 720 MW of ISTS-connected solar-wind hybrid power projects under Tranche-II. In the auction, Adani Green Energy quoted a tariff of ₹2.69 (~$0.0387)/kWh to set up 600 MW of solar-wind hybrid projects and ReNew Power quoted ₹2.70 (~$0.0389/kWh)/kWh to set up 300 MW but will be awarded 120 MW through bucket filling method. The tender was issued in February 2019 for 1.2 GW capacity and was undersubscribed by 300 MW.

Engie emerged as the L1 bidder by quoting a tariff of ₹2.65 (~$0.038)/kWh to develop a capacity of 200 MW in the auction conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) to award 600 MW of solar PV projects. The projects will be developed under Phase III of Raghanesda Solar Park. GUVNL had retendered 700 MW solar capacity in March 2019 and has been undersubscribed by 100 MW.

SECI auctioned 250 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power projects in Dondaicha Solar Park (Phase – I), located in Dhule district of Maharashtra. Talettutayi Solar (Solar Arise) quoted ₹2.87 (~$0.0407)/kWh to develop 50 MW of solar PV power projects and emerged as the lowest bidder.

GUVNL auctioned 250 MW of solar projects of the 1 GW solar capacity that was tendered in January 2019 to be developed at Dholera Solar Park (Phase V). Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL) and Tata Power quoted a tariff of ₹2.75 (~$0.039)/kWh to develop 50 MW and 250 MW respectively.