The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender to select developers for 1.2 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind power projects (Tranche X) in the country.

Selected bidders are expected to submit a performance guarantee of ₹1.2 million (~$16,353)/MW quoted. The deadline for submission of bids is February 5, 2020.

The scheduled commissioning date (SCOD) for the entire capacity quoted is 18 months from the effective date of the power purchase agreement (PPA). Projects must achieve financial closure within seven months from the effective date of the PPA.

The scope of work includes setting up the wind power projects to supply power to SECI, identifying and acquiring land for the projects, installation, ownership of the projects, and acquiring connectivity and long-term open access (LTOA) approvals for connection with the ISTS network.

Bidders are allowed to place bids for a minimum of 50 MW and a maximum of 1.2 GW in multiples of 10 MW. The declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) for the project must be not less than 22% for 25 years – the entire duration of the PPA. Wind power developers must maintain generation to achieve an annual CUF of at least 80% and not over 120% of the declared value.

SECI has proposed to promote only commercially established technologies to minimize technology risk and to commission the projects on time. Bidders are expected to provide information about the wind turbines to be used in the project at the time of financial closure. The equipment must be certified under the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers.

Prospective bidders must have a net worth of at least ₹12 million (~$163,530)/MW quoted as on the last date of the previous financial year. They are also required to have a minimum annual turnover of ₹6 million (~$81,765)/MW quoted in the last financial year.

According to Mercom’s India Tender Tracker, SECI tendered 12.3 GW of ISTS-connected wind projects as of December 2020.

Previously, SECI issued amendments to its recent tender for 2 GW of ISTS-connected wind projects (Tranche IX) and increased the capacity of the tender to 2.5 GW. In the auction for this tender, Vena Energy Vidhyuth Private Limited had won 160 MW of projects quoting ₹2.99 (~$0.0401)/kWh, while JSW Solar won 810 MW of projects at ₹3 (~$0.402)/kWh under the bucket filling method.

Read the recap of the year gone by for the wind industry here.

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