The deadline for the manufacturing linked solar tender floated by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has once again been extended for bidder participation. This is the fourth time that SECI has decided to extend the bid submission deadline of this tender.

The tender was floated for 3 GW of grid-connected solar projects linked with 1.5 GW per annum of solar manufacturing component under global competitive bidding (phase-II). The last date for bid submission has been extended to May 31, 2019, with techno-commercial bids opening on the same day.

In April 2019, the tender was extended for the third time with the new deadline set for May 14, 2019. Previously, SECI had extended the bid submission deadline from March 18, 2019, to April 4, 2014, and again to April 22, 2019, as reported previously by Mercom.

SECI had issued this tender in January 2019 and then in February 2019, it issued the first set of amendments to the RfS.

The minimum capacity for bidding was fixed at 1,000 MW of solar capacity linked with 500 MW of solar manufacturing. A single bidder can bid for the entire capacity.

The manufacturing unit and the solar PV projects will be developed on build own operate (BOO) basis. SECI will enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful bidders for the purchase of solar power for 25 years. The maximum tariff payable to the project developer is fixed at ₹2.75 (~$0.039)/ kWh for 25 years.

Last year in May, SECI had issued a similar tender for 5 GW of manufacturing capacity linked to ISTS-connected solar projects for an aggregate capacity of 10 GW. This was later reduced to 3 GW where the developers were to be provided guaranteed PPAs of 2,000 MW for a manufacturing capacity of 600 MW. Therefore, the total power projects awarded would have remained at 10 GW.

Soumik is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Prior to joining Mercom, Soumik was a correspondent for UNI, New Delhi covering the Northeast region for seven years. He has also worked as an Asia Correspondent for Washington DC-based Hundred Reporters. He has contributed as a freelancer to several national and international digital publications with a focus on data-based investigative stories on environmental corruption, hydro power projects, energy transition and the circular economy. Soumik is an Economics graduate from Scottish Church College, Calcutta University.