The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has extended the bid submission deadline for its mega solar tender that calls for 7.5 GW of grid-connected solar power projects in Leh and Kargil districts.

The new deadline for the submission of bids has been extended up to January 31, 2020. The earlier scheduled date for bids submission was November 29, 2019.

The total capacity of 7,500 MW under the Request for Selection (RfS) has been divided into three packages of 2,500 MW each.

The package-A would be set up in the areas tentatively identified in the Zanskar sub-division and Tai Suru block of Kargil district. Packages B and C would be developed at Hanley Khaldo area of Nyoma sub-division in the Leh district.

The brief scope of work includes the implementation of the solar power projects along with the setting up of power transmission and evacuation infrastructure up to the delivery point.

For these projects, SECI will enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with the successful bidders for a period of 35 years. The bidders can avail of the fiscal incentives like accelerated depreciation, concessional customs and excise duties, tax holidays as available for such projects.

The Request for Selection (RfS) for the development of 7,500 MW of grid-connected solar power projects in Leh and Kargil was issued in January 2019.

In April 2019, it was reported that the allotment of land for the projects had been delayed due to the general elections.

Previously, Mercom also reported that MNRE, SECI, and the Leh and Kargil district administrations met with the stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the projects and clarify the developers’ issues.

Meanwhile, SECI also issued a tender for setting up 14 MW of solar power projects with 42 MWh battery energy storage systems (7MW/21mWh each) in Leh and Kargil.

Image credit: FRV