The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued the request for selection (RfS) for setting up 1,200 MW of interstate transmission-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects in the country under Tranche III of the interstate transmission (ISTS) program.

Interested bidders are expected to pay an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹500,000 (~$7,054)/MW in the form of a performance bank guarantee (PBG) along with the response to the RfS. The last date for the submission of bids February 25, 2020. SECI has fixed a ceiling tariff of ₹2.88 ($0.04)/kWh for this tender.

In December, Mercom had reported on the announcement of two tenders for 1,200 MW of solar and 1,200 MW of wind-solar hybrid projects connected to the interstate transmission system. The second tender for 1,200 MW of wind-solar hybrid projects was issued under the Tranche III of the ISTS program.

The projects involve setting up of wind-solar hybrid power projects in India on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis and selling the hybrid power to SECI. The projects are required to be designed for the interconnection with the transmission network of the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) at a voltage level of 220 kV or above. The developer will bear the responsibility of getting the ISTS connectivity and long-term access (LTA).

The tender also adds that the minimum project size of a single hybrid power project must be 50 MW and the maximum must be 300 MW. It also said that the rated installed project capacity of one of the components of the hybrid project – either wind or solar – must be 25% the capacity of the other. The tender also mandates a minimum capacity utilization factor of 30%.

The solar component of the project can be sub-divided into blocks set up at multiple locations. However, such projects have to be located within the same state, and the minimum voltage level for a single block should be 33 kV.

To be eligible to take part in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have a minimum net worth, not less than ₹10 million (~$141,091)/MW and a minimum annual turnover of ₹7.5 million (~$105,819)/MW of the quoted capacity in the last financial year.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, SECI has tendered a total of 3.6 GW of solar wind hybrid projects under the ISTS program (Tranche I to Tranche III) and auctioned 1.56 GW under Tranche I & II.

Earlier, SECI also issued a Request for Selection for setting up 1.2 GW of renewable projects connected with the ISTS and with a guaranteed peak power supply (ISTS-VII).