The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), on behalf of the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), has invited bids for the allocation of sea-bed lease rights for 4 GW offshore wind power projects on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis.

The last date for submitting bids is May 6, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

The scope of the work involves conducting surveys and engaging in development activities related to the design, construction, financing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of offshore wind power projects located along the Tamil Nadu coast.

It also includes the development of the transmission system to transport power to the offshore substation, ensuring grid connectivity and addressing long-term access to the grid.

The electricity generated from these offshore wind power projects will either be used for captive consumption, sold to third parties (including on a merchant basis), or traded on the power exchange.

Bidders have to submit a bid document fee of ₹20,000 (~$240.86) and a bid processing fee of ₹1.5 million (~$18,065).

Bidders have to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹10 million (~$120,440.7)

The tender involves specific offshore wind blocks, where exclusive rights will be granted upon payment of lease rentals of ₹100,000 (~$1,204.4)/sq km per year, as per legal requirements.

These rights allow for conducting necessary surveys and subsequent project development, following the terms outlined in the project agreements.

Upon completing the survey, finalizing the detailed project report, and meeting the preconditions in the seabed lease deed, the NIWE will formulate the concession agreement.

This concession grants authority for the design, financing, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the project in accordance with relevant laws, including the Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), NIWE, or any other government agency is not obligated to purchase power from the project.

However, certain benefits, such as the provision of power evacuation infrastructure from the offshore pooling delivery point, waiver of transmission charges, renewable energy credits with multipliers, and carbon credit benefits, as determined by the government of India/state governments, will be applicable.

The developer will be responsible for overseeing the evacuation of power from the offshore wind farm to the offshore substation. The responsibility for developing the offshore pooling substation and the associated evacuation infrastructure, including export cables, lies with the central transmission utility through its designated transmission licensee.

Lease rights granted under the seabed lease deed also extend to the cable routes for the transmission corridor outside the allocated seabed area. This ensures comprehensive coverage and control over the entire transmission infrastructure.

The average net worth of the bidders should be based on the cumulative net worth of the bidding company or members of the bidding consortium, along with the net worth of affiliated entities involved in providing the necessary equity funding.

This assessment is to be made using the last three financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.

In January, NHPC invited expressions of interest from India-based and global companies to empanel for developing offshore wind power projects in India.

Earlier in December, the Ministry of External Affairs notified rules for leasing offshore wind energy sites.