The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for setting up 1,200 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-IV) on a build, own, operate basis across India.

The minimum bid capacity should be 50 MW, with at least 50 MW of project capacity being proposed at each project site. The maximum capacity has been set at 1,200 MW.

The last date to submit the bids is May 28, 2021. The pre-bid meeting will be held on April 26.

The successful bidder will have to submit a performance bank guarantee for a value of ₹1 million (~$13,292)/MW/project latest by seven days before signing the power purchase agreement (PPA).

The hybrid power projects must be designed for interconnection with the transmission network of the central transmission utility (CTU) at the voltage level of 220 kV or above. As per the tender document, a hybrid power project should comprise 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.

To ensure only quality systems are installed, the wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will have to be used.

Bidders have been advised to take cognizance of the imposition of  Basic Customs Duty on solar cells and modules while preparing their bids.

The bidder should provide information about the solar panels and wind turbines to be installed in the project. The bidder’s net worth should be equal to or greater than ₹10 million (~$132,927)/MW of the quoted capacity, as on the day at least seven days before the bid submission date.

The bidder’s annual turnover should be ₹7.5 million (~$99,694)/MW of the quoted capacity during the last financial year. The internal resource generation capacity should be ₹1.5 million (~$19,939)/MW of the quoted capacity as of the previous financial year’s last date. The bidder should also have a sanction letter from the lending institution committing a line of credit for a minimum of ₹1.875 million (~$24,923)/MW of the quoted capacity.

The project should be designed for interconnection with the ISTS per the prevailing CERC regulations. The declared annual capacity utilization factor should not be less than 30%.

In December last year, three companies won 1.2 GW of solar-wind hybrid projects quoting a tariff of ₹2.41 (~$0.0326)/kWh – the lowest-ever for solar-wind hybrid projects. The tariff was discovered in the SECI’s auction for setting up 1.2 GW of interstate transmission-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects under Tranche III of the ISTS program.

Earlier, Adani Green Energy had emerged as the lowest bidder in SECI’s auction for 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected solar-wind hybrid power projects under Tranche-II. Adani Green Energy had quoted a tariff of ₹2.69 (~$0.0387)/kWh to set up 600 MW of solar-wind hybrid projects.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, SECI has issued a total of  3.6 GW of wind-solar hybrid tenders under Tranche – I, II & III, out of which 2.76 GW of capacity has been auctioned.