Shiv Solar and ACME Solar have quoted the lowest tariff of ₹2.74 (~$0.038)/kWh in the recent auction conducted by the  Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for the purchase of power on long term basis from 1,000 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power projects (Phase – II).

The L2 bidders in the auction were ReNew Power and Avaada Energy, with both quoting the tariff of ₹2.75 (~$0.038)/kWh to develop 300 MW and 350 MW respectively. Avaada Energy had bid for 500 MW but will be awarded only 350 MW due to bucket-filling method applied to the awarded capacities in reverse auctions.

Recently, Mercom reported that the tender was oversubscribed by 900 MW as Orange Renewables submitted its bid for 100 MW solar PV capacity, Aqua Pumps for 50 MW, ReNew Power for 300 MW, Avaada Power and Adani for 500 MW each, Tata for 150 MW, and ACME submitted its bid for 300 MW of solar PV capacity.

The L1 tariff quoted in this auction is 3 paisa (~$0.00042) higher than the one in auction conducted in May 2018 by MSEDCL for 1 GW of solar projects where JLTM Energy India Private Limited and Mahoba Solar had emerged as the L1 bidder by quoting a tariff of ₹2.71 (~$0.0401)/kWh.

The capacity was tendered in December 2018. Initially, the MSEDCL had fixed an upper ceiling tariff at ₹2.80 (~$0.039)/kWh, and the bid-submission deadline was January 3, 2019. Later, the ceiling was revised to ₹2.90 (~$0.041)/kWh while the bid-submission deadline was extended to January 22, 2019.

Recently, the state also issued a request for selection for the purchase of power from 1,000 MW (100 MW X 10 clusters) of grid-connected floating solar PV power project on Ujjani dam in Solapur district.

A few months ago, the MSEDCL had also issued a tender to develop 1,400 MW (AC) of solar projects in 30 circles of the state. These circles have been categorized under four regions: Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra. Before that, another tender for 1 GW of solar projects to be developed under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana was also floated in the state.

Moreover, in December 2018, the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) also invited an expression of interest to set up a 10 MW grid-connected floating solar project at the Upper Vaitarna reservoir in Nashik district.