The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has increased the capacity of the recently tendered floating solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the state of Uttar Pradesh from 100 MW to 150 MW.

The projects were tendered by SECI in March 2018. The bid submission deadline is May 31, 2018.

The solar projects will be developed on the Rihand Dam, also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Reservoir, located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.

SECI has fixed ₹3.50 (~$0.0533)/kWh as the upper tariff ceiling for this tender. The successful developers will enter 25-year PPAs with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL). A single bidder can bid for a minimum 50 MW and a maximum 150 MW.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, procurement, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the floating solar PV project.

In December 2017, SECI had invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from prospective project developers to set up 10 GW of floating solar PV projects in a phased manner during the next three years.

Floating solar PV projects are slowly gaining traction in the country. In the past few months, numerous tenders for small-capacity floating solar PV projects have been issued.

Recently, a 3 MW floating solar PV project was tendered by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) that is set to be developed on the Meghadrigedda Reservoir in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) also tendered a 2 MW floating solar PV project to be installed on the Mudasarlova Reservoir in Visakhapatnam.

Lakshadweep Energy Development Agency (LEDA) has also invited EOIs from the developers and contractors to develop 10 MW of floating solar PV projects in Lakshadweep.

Recently, Mercom also reported that the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) invited EOIs from companies with experience of installing floating solar power projects or those which have the technology to install a 5 MW, large-scale floating solar project in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Mercom previously reported that West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) successfully auctioned a 5 MW, grid-connected floating solar PV project to be developed in the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal.

Image credit: BayWa r.e.