Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued an amendment revising the tariff ceiling for a 1,200 MW wind tender that it had floated last month.

In September 2019, SECI had invited bids from wind power generators to develop 1,200 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind power projects under Tranche-IX of the ISTS program. The projects are to be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis.

The ceiling for tariff was initially set at ₹2.85 (~$0.040)/kWh. However, in the latest amendment, SECI has revised the tariff upwards to ₹2.93/kWh (~$0.041).

Further, according to the amendments, the entire cost of transmission, including the cost of construction of lines, wheeling charges, scheduling charges, maintenance, losses, and any other charges from the project up to the interconnection point, is to be borne by the wind power developer.

SECI has also modified the tender clauses for the selection of bidders based on total bid capacity and the shortfall in minimum generation from the wind projects.

In August 2019, SECI awarded 439.8 MW of wind projects in an auction. This capacity was part of the tender floated by the agency for 1,800 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind projects under tranche VIII. The auction saw the lowest tariff of ₹2.83 (~$0.0395)/kWh quoted by CLP India. SECI had tendered the capacity in June 2019 with a tariff cap of ₹2.85 (~$0.041)/kWh.

Last month, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) also issued a tender to procure 500 MW of wind power through a competitive bidding process.

Shaurya is a staff reporter at MercomIndia.com with experience working in the Indian solar energy industry for the past four years in various roles. Prior to joining Mercom, Shaurya worked with a renewable energy developer and a consulting company. Shaurya holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.