NHPC has invited bids to set up 1,500 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects anywhere in India.

The last day to submit the bids is December 12, 2023. Bids will be opened on December 15.

The minimum capacity of each project should be 50 MW. The maximum capacity to be allocated to a bidder would be limited to 750 MW. Bidders can offer bids for multiple projects.

Bidders must submit ₹300,000 (~$3,601) as a bid processing fee for capacity up to 50 MW, ₹500,000 (~$6,002) for capacity above 50 MW and up to 100 MW, ₹1 million (~$12,005) for capacity above 100 MW and up to 250 MW,  ₹2 million (~$24,010) for capacity above 250 MW and up to 500 MW, and ₹3 million (~$36,015) for capacity above 500 MW.

They must also submit an earnest money deposit of ₹693,000 (~$8,319) /MW of the quoted capacity subject to a maximum of ₹100 million (~$1.2 million) per project.

Selected bidders must furnish ₹3.46 million (~$41,537)/MW of the allotted capacity as a performance bank guarantee.

A hybrid power project will mean a project comprising two components – one solar and one wind power project. The rated installed project capacity of either of the two components should be at least 33% of the contracted capacity.

The declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) should not be less than 30%. The developer should maintain the energy supply to achieve an annual supply corresponding to CUF not less than 90% of the declared value and not more than 120% of the declared CUF value during the PPA duration of 25 years.

Only wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers and solar modules registered in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy must be deployed.

Bidders must have a net worth equal to or exceeding ₹14 million ($168,070)/ MW during the financial year immediately preceding the bid submission. A minimum annual turnover of ₹7.07 million ($84,875) per MW during the last financial year is mandated.

The bidders’ internal resource generation capability, represented by profit before depreciation, interest, taxes, and amortization, should amount to at least ₹1.41 million (~$16,927)/ MW during the previous financial year.

Bidders must possess an in-principle sanction letter from lending institutions, committing a line of credit for a minimum amount of ₹1.77 million (~$21,248)/MW to fulfill the project’s working capital needs.

In October, NHPC invited bids for selecting project developers to supply 1.5 GW of ‘firm and dispatchable’ renewable power from ISTS-connected projects coupled with energy storage systems anywhere in India.

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