Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for selecting project developers to set up 1.3 GW inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind power projects (Tranche-XV) in India on a build own operate (BOO) basis.

The scope of the work includes identifying land, installation, and ownership of the project, along with obtaining connectivity and necessary approvals and interconnection with the ISTS network for power supply to SECI.

The last date for the submission of bids is September 20, 2023. Bids will be opened on September 25.

A combined capacity of 1,300 MW will be designated for integration into the ISTS substations across three specific states: Tamil Nadu (300 MW) allocated to the Karur substation, Telangana (500 MW) distributed across the Nizamabad-II, Rangareddy, and Medhak substations, and Madhya Pradesh (500 MW) divided among the Neemuch, Mandsaur, and Pachora substations.

The bid processing fee amounts to ₹500,000 (~$6,025.8) + 18% GST for each project from 50 MW up to 90 MW and ₹1.5 million (~$ 18,062) + 18% GST for each project from 100 MW and above.

Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹1.2 million (~$15,233)/MW/project of the quoted capacity.

Selected bidders must provide a performance bank guarantee (PBG) before signing the PPA, valued at ₹3.16 million (~$38,044.4) /MW/project of the allotted capacity.

The chosen bidders will also be obligated to pay success charges amounting to ₹100,000 (~$1,205) per MW plus 18% GST, based on the capacity specified in the Letter of Award (LoA).

SECI will enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the chosen bidders for acquiring wind power for 25 years.

A bidder, along with its parent, affiliate, ultimate parent, or any associated group company, must present a solitary bid encompassing a minimum contracted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 650 MW.

The project must be planned for connection to the ISTS, following the existing Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations.

To connect to the grid and measure electricity, the project developer must adhere to the relevant grid code, grid connectivity standards, communication system regulations, and other rules issued by the appropriate commissions and Central Electricity Authority, which may change over time.

The minimum voltage level for an ISTS connection should be 220 kV.

The declared or revised annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) should always be above 22%. The developer must sustain electricity generation to achieve an annual CUF between 80% and 120% of the declared or revised value throughout the 25-year PPA period.

The tender aims to support well-established and functioning technologies to reduce technological uncertainties and ensure timely power generation from the projects.

Only wind turbine models certified in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) will be permitted for use under the program to ensure high-quality installations and leverage the latest advancements.

The bidder’s net worth must be at least ₹12.6 million (~$151,853) per MW of the quoted capacity. This should be the case on the last day of the preceding financial year – 2022-23, or at least seven days before the bid submission deadline.

Recently SECI invited bids for selecting renewable energy developers to supply 1.5 GW firm and dispatchable power from ISTS-connected renewable energy projects under tariff-based competitive bidding.

SECI had also invited expressions of interest for the supply of 1,800 MW (DC) of solar modules (including cells manufactured in India).

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