The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has extended the bid submission deadline for 750 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be developed on a standalone basis across the state of Rajasthan.

The new bid submission deadline is November 22, 2018. The initial deadline was September 14, 2018.

Earlier, Mercom had reported that SECI had fixed ₹2.93 (~$0.0427)/kWh as the upper tariff ceiling for this tender. This was later revised to ₹2.68 (~$0.0375)/kWh. The projects are slated to have a minimum individual capacity of 10 MW and will be set up in multiples of 10 MW, with a cumulative capacity of 750 MW.

A single bidder can bid for a maximum capacity of 750 MW. The projects will be developed on build own operate (BOO) basis. The scope of work includes acquiring the land, developing the project, connectivity, and long-term open access.

The projects should be designed for interconnection with the nearest substation at a voltage level of 33 kV or above. The maintenance of the transmission system up to the inter-connection point will be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

SECI will enter into 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the developers. The projects must achieve financial closure within 12 months from the effective date of the PPA. The successful developer must demonstrate the possession of the entire land identified for the project within 12 months from the effective date of the PPA.

Of late, a dip in bidders’ interests has led to many bid submission deadline extensions by SECI.

Just a few days ago, it extended the bid-submission deadline for 1,200 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind and solar hybrid projects tender for the fifth time. According to a Mercom source, there were very few responses, due to which SECI extended the bid-submission deadline yet again.

The bid submission deadline for setting up of 10 GW of ISTS connected solar PV power projects linked with 3 GW (per annum) solar manufacturing capacity has also been extended for the third time to November 12, 2018.

Recently,  SECI also extended the bid submission deadline for a 160 MW of solar-wind hybrid power project with battery energy storage system (BESS) at Ramagiri, located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The new bid submission deadline is November 2, 2018.

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