Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to procure 1.2 GW of round-the-clock (RTC) power from interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected renewable energy projects.

Bids must be submitted by December 16, 2024. Bids will be opened on December 19.

Bidders must pay ₹50,000 (~$594.58) for the bid documents.

Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹1.29 million (~$15,340).

SECI will enter into a 25-year power purchase agreement with the successful bidders.

Bidders must submit a single bid offering a minimum capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 600 MW. The cumulative contracted capacity must be quoted in multiples of 10 MW only.

The scope of work covers developing the transmission network up to the interconnection/ delivery point. It also involves identifying land, installing, and owning the projects, obtaining connectivity and approvals, and interconnection with the ISTS network/STU or InSTS network for power supply to SECI.

Bidders who have already commissioned renewable energy/storage projects or are constructing such projects and have untied capacity may also participate in the tender.

For the purpose of STU interconnection, bidders can install the project in the same state as the buying entity.

The project must also include energy storage sytems to ensure RTC power.

The minimum voltage level for interconnection at the ISTS will be 220 kV.

Bidders must ensure a minimum demand fulfilment ratio (DFR) of at least 80% annually, 75% monthly, and 90% during peak hours.

Bidders must pay a penalty against shortfalls in monthly and annual DFR requirements amounting to 1.5 times the cost of this shortfall in energy terms. In case of a shortfall during peak hour DFR requirements, the penalty will be 2.5 times the cost of this shortfall in energy terms, calculated at the PPA tariff.

To optimize the projects’ operation, the developer can supply power over the contracted capacity in any time block to any third party or power exchange. If the buying entity purchases such power, it will be purchased at the PPA tariff.

Power supply from the project will be 24 months from signing the PPA. Bidders can split the cumulative capacity into multiple projects within the above deadline.

The selected bidders must pay success charges @₹100,000(~$1189.16)/MW plus applicable taxes, corresponding to the installed capacity committed in PPA.

The bidder must use type-certified wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufactures issued by MNRE. Bidders must use commercially established and operational technologies to minimize technology risk and promptly commence power supply from the projects.

Bidders must have an annual turnover of ₹35 million (~$416,206)/MW during the previous financial year.

In September, SECI invited bids from developers for the assured peak supply of 8,000 MWh (2000 MW x 4 hours) of renewable energy from inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected projects under tariff-based competitive bidding (FDRE-VI).

In the same months, SECI invited bids to set up 2,000 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS)- connected solar power projects with 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh energy storage systems in India under Tranche XVII.