NTPC Renewable Energy, SJVN Green Energy, and Hinduja Renewables were declared winners in Rewa Ultra Mega Solar’s (RUMSL) auction for the 300 MW floating solar park (Phase II) at the Omkareshwar reservoir in Madhya Pradesh, according to Mercom sources.

RUMSL is a joint venture between the Solar Energy Corporation of India and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam.

NTPC Renewable Energy won 90 MW at ₹3.69 (~$0.045)/kWh,  SJVN Green Energy won 83 MW, and Hinduja Renewables won 80 MW by quoting a tariff of ₹3.70 (~$0.045)/kWh each.

The tender for Phase II was floated in July this year and received an overwhelming response. The tender was oversubscribed by 700 MW.

The 600 MW capacity includes six units of 100 MW each of grid-connected floating solar photovoltaic projects to be developed at identified locations at the Omkareshwar reservoir. RUMSL will provide the evacuating infrastructure for the projects.

The lowest bid was almost 15% higher compared to the 300 MW Phase I auction.

The auction for the first phase (300 MW) was conducted in May this year. Amp Energy, NHDC, and SJVN were declared winners in the auction. Amp Energy had won 100 MW quoting a tariff of ₹3.21 (~$0.041)/kWh, while NHDC had won 100 MW at ₹3.22 (~$0.042)/kWh. SJVN had won the remaining capacity of 100 MW at ₹3.26 (~$0.043)/kWh.

In October this year, the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission approved deviations to the bidding guidelines for developing the project. RUMSL and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company had jointly filed a petition for approval of certain deviations from the bidding guidelines.

Floating solar projects have started to gain ground as they address the issue of land requirement, which is a challenge for ground-mounted projects. India has about 286 MW of floating solar projects in operation compared to 52 GW of solar installed in the country.

Earlier this year, RUMSL had issued a request for proposal for consultancy firms to prepare a feasibility study report of three reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh to develop floating solar projects.

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