The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has tendered 3 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be developed across the country.

The bid-submission deadline is August 17, 2018.

The maximum tariff payable to the project developer has been fixed at ₹2.93 (~$0.0427)/ kWh for 25 years. SECI will enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a period of 25 years with successful bidders. This is a global tender and the scope of work includes the design, supply, construction, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of the project.

The solar PV power projects are required to be designed for inter-connection with transmission network of central transmission utility (CTU) at voltage level of 132 kV or above. For each project, the minimum project capacity will be 50 MW. The project capacity will remain in multiples of 10 MW.

A single bidder can bid for a maximum capacity of 1,800 MW. Any excess generation over and above 10 percent of declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) will be purchased by SECI at a fixed tariff of 75 percent of the PPA tariff, provided SECI is able to get any buyer for sale of such excess generation. However, the developer must inform at least 60 days in advance of such excess generation to SECI, to enable it to take necessary actions for sale of this excess generated energy.

Mercom recently reported that the first 3 GW ISTS-connected solar PV tender which was floated by the SECI has been oversubscribed by 2.1 GW. Prior to that, SECI’s 2 GW ISTS-connected grid-connected solar PV tender was also oversubscribed by 1.8 GW.

In February 2018, the Ministry of Power issued an order stating that no interstate transmission charges and losses will be levied on solar and wind power projects commissioned up to March 31, 2022. This has spurred the interest among developers for ISTS-connected solar PV projects.

Image credit: von GEOSOL Gesellschaft fur Solaranergie mbH (GEOSOL Gesellschaft für Solaranergie mbH) [GFDL oder CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons