Wind energy solutions provider, Inox wind, has been granted an extension by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) for the scheduled commissioning of 250 MW (5*50) of wind power projects in the state of Gujarat to be connected to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network.

The projects are being developed under the SECI’s Tranche I program.

According to Mercom India Research, SECI has auctioned 9.3 GW of wind projects under SECI’s ISTS Tranche I to Tranche VIII program.  In November 2016, SECI  invited tenders to set up 1,000 MW of ISTS-connected wind power projects. In the auction, Mytrah, Green Infra, Inox Wind, and Ostro Energy each won 250 MW projects quoting ₹3.46 (~$0.051)/kWh, and Adani Green Energy won 50 MW project quoting ₹3.46 (~$0.051)/kWh.

In August 2018, this first batch of ISTS-connected wind energy projects was commissioned.

In November 20017, Inox filed a petition with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to grant connectivity to Inox Wind’s special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in Gujarat after the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) refused to grant connectivity stating that “unlike solar power projects, there is no provision for ‘developer’ of a wind generation project in the connectivity regulations, only a developer can utilize LTA, not its subsidiaries.” After hearing the case, CERC in its order stated, “Keeping in view the fact that the creation of an SPV is an option under the request for selection (RfS) issued by the SECI and that a number of companies are executing projects through the creation of 100% subsidiaries after winning the bids, we are of the view that 100% subsidiary companies should be allowed to utilize connectivity granted to the parent company.” Due to this, the connectivity of Inox wind projects were delayed.

Now, the extension has been allowed considering that there was a delay in the operationalization of LTA by the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), the PGCIL.

According to the company’s Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing, out of the total 250 MW, Inox Wind has successfully commissioned 200 MW in June and July 2019. In 2017, Inox sold 50 MW of wind capacity to Adani that it had won at the auction.

The project is located at Dayapar in the Kutch region of Gujarat, and it consists of 25 numbers of 2 MW wind turbines.

According to the company, Inox’s wind producing capacity stands at 1,600 MW per annum.

In May this year, Inox Wind was one of the winners in a wind auction conducted in Gujarat for 1 GW capacity. Inox Wind had quoted ₹2.95 (~$0.0421)/kWh to set up 40 MW of wind projects.

Then in February 2019, Inox Wind had received a Letter of Intent from Adani Green Energy to supply, erect, and commission 501.6 MW of wind power projects won in the auction by the SECI. This project, in the Kutch region of Gujarat.