The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has issued a tender for the procurement of hybrid renewable power to meet its renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

The tender also aims to promote hybrid projects for the efficient utilization of land and transmission infrastructure. MSEDCL plans to procure wind-solar hybrid power from projects that will be developed on identified land parcels that belong to Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) through a competitive bidding process. MSEDCL is expected to enter into power purchase agreements with selected developers for 25 years.

The following are the locations and project capacities of the identified land for which tenders have been issued: Girye-Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg District-20 MW, Sautada, Beed District-20 MW, Gudhepanchgani, Sangli District-5 MW, Motha, Amravati District-15 MW, and Jagmin, Satara District-20 MW.

MSEDCL has set a ceiling tariff of ₹2.80 ($0.039)/kWh for these projects. According to the tender documents, these hybrid projects are to be commissioned within 15 months from the date of signing of the power purchase agreements (PPA).

The earnest money deposit for the bids has been set at ₹1 million ($13,970)/MW. The pre-bid meeting will be held on September 16, 2019. The last date for the submission of bids is September 30, 2019.

Earlier this year, the state DISCOM issued a one of a kind wind-solar hybrid tender which gives the developers freedom in project development. The state distribution company had set ₹2.75 (~$0.039)/kWh as the upper tariff ceiling for this tender, calling interested parties to submit their bids and the capacity they want to develop.

In May 2018, the MNRE announced new wind-solar hybrid policy which aims at providing a framework for the expansion of grid-connected wind-solar hybrid systems in the country. The main objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability. The policy also aims at encouraging new technologies, methods, and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV projects.