With the introduction of the wind purchase obligation, there has been a significant increase in wind capacity auctioned in India during the year.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued an agency-wise bidding calendar for 50 GW renewable energy projects annually till the financial year 2027-28. The calendar includes 10 GW of wind energy projects annually.

The Ministry of Power also notified new bidding guidelines for wind energy projects in July this year, simplifying the process for the tender issuing parties.

The lowest wind energy tariff discovered in 2023 was ₹2.91 (~$0.0349)/kWh, 2.5% higher than the lowest tariff of ₹2.84 (~$0.0341)/kWh in 2022, as the sector struggles with supply chain issues and wind turbine shortages.

Here is the list of the lowest wind tariffs discovered in auctions during 2023, according to Mercom India Research:

#1 The lowest tariff of ₹2.91 (~$0.0349)/kWh was quoted by Juniper Green Energy, which won 50 MW in the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam’s (GUVNL) auction to supply power from 300 MW of grid-connected wind projects (Phase-IV) with a greenshoe option of 300 MW. The other auction participants – WYN Renewables (EDF Renewables) and ACME Pokharan Solar won 100 MW each by quoting ₹3 (~$0.0360)/kWh and ₹3.01 (~$0.0362)/kW, respectively. Solarcraft Power India (Blupine Energy) won 50 MW at ₹3.01 (~$0.0362)/kWh out of the quoted capacity of 100 MW.

#2 In another auction by GUVNL to supply power from 500 MW of grid-connected wind projects (Phase V), Juniper Green Energy won 70 MW by quoting ₹3.11 (~$0.0373)/kWh. Out of the total capacity of 500 MW, only 240 MW bids were accepted. Evergreen Renewables, SJVN Green Energy, and Solarcraft Power India (Blupine Energy) won 30 MW, 100 MW, and 40 MW, respectively, by quoting ₹3.17 (~$0.0381)/kWh.

#3 – The third lowest tariff of ₹3.18 (~$0.0382)/kWh was quoted by Green Prairie Energy (EverGreen Power), which won 190 MW in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s auction for 1.2 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind power projects (Tranche-XIV). The capacity allotted in the auction was 690 MW. Apraava Energy and SJVN Green Energy won 300 MW and 200 MW, quoting a tariff of ₹3.24 (~$0.0389)/kWh each.