The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has amended the RfS for 2,500 MW of ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (tranche-I).

According to the amendment, the capacity of ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects has been reduced to 1,200 MW from the earlier 2,500 MW.

Moreover, the ceiling tariff has been reduced from ₹2.93/kWh (~$0.040/kWh) to ₹2.60/kWh (~$0.035/kWh).

The maximum bid capacity has been increased from 500 MW to 600 MW. The minimum bid capacity remains the same at 200 MW with at least 50 MW of project capacity being proposed at each project site.

Earlier, the scheduled date of commissioning was 18 months from the date of issuance of letter of award. This has been amended and now the scheduled date of commissioning would be 18 months from the effective date of the PPA. Financial closure must be achieved within 12 months of PPA.

The declared annual effective capacity utilization factor (CUF) has now been reduced to 30 percent from the earlier 40 percent in the RfS.

A SECI official told Mercom, “We received some feedback from the bidders and then made the amendments after due discussions with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).”

He added, “Any changes from our side is an effort to make improvement in the document.”

Earlier, Mercom had reported about the MNRE’s new wind solar hybrid policy which aims at providing a framework for the expansion of grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems in the country.

Mercom also reported previously that the MNRE has now amended the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy to remove the word ‘battery’ from the relevant clauses in order to broaden the definition of the term “storage” and facilitate the growth of the sector.

Recently, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) also invited bids for the development of 60 MW (minimum) wind and 130 MW (minimum) solar hybrid energy project on turnkey basis at NTPC, located in Kudgi, Karnataka.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer