The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to set up 1,500 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar power projects in India under Tranche XIV.

The last date to submit bids is February 23, 2024. Bids will be opened on February 28.

Bidders have to submit a bid document fee of ₹29,500 (~$354) and a bid processing fee of ₹500,000 (~$6,014) + applicable taxes for each project for quoted capacity from 50 MW up to 90 MW and ₹1.5 million (~$18,041) + applicable taxes for each project from 100 MW and above-quoted capacity.

Bidders also have to furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹928,000 (~$11,162).

The successful bidder must set up the solar projects connected to the ISTS, encompassing the transmission network extending up to the interconnection/delivery point.

The project developer’s responsibilities include identifying suitable land, installing and owning the project, and securing connectivity and requisite approvals for interconnection with the ISTS network/State Transmission Utility (STU) or intra-state transmission system (InSTS) network, as applicable, to supply power to SECI.

The developer may choose to locate the project in the same state as the buying entity for STU interconnection.

A bidder, which includes its parent, affiliate, or ultimate parent, or any group company, is required to submit a singular bid, offering a contracted capacity ranging from a minimum of 50 MW to a maximum of 750 MW, according to the specified formats.

Bids for projects must be quoted in increments of 10 MW.

Bidders are free to choose the locations for the projects.

The project design must facilitate interconnection with the ISTS or InSTS in compliance with Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations.

If the buying entity is situated in the same state as the project, the project developer may opt to interconnect the project at the STU or InSTS substation, adhering to the minimum voltage level as per the applicable state regulations.

The stated or adjusted annual Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) must not fall below 17%.

The developer must attain an annual CUF within the range of +10% and -15% of the declared value throughout the initial ten years. This is contingent upon maintaining a minimum annual CUF of 15%.

Subsequently, from the 11th year until the conclusion of the PPA term of 25 years, the annual CUF should be within +10% and -20 % of the declared value.

Only modules from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List for Models and Manufacturers must be used.

The net worth of the bidders must be equal to or exceed ₹9.28 million (~$111,619)/MW of the quoted capacity as of the last date of the previous financial year.

Bidders must have a minimum annual turnover of at least ₹3.75 million (~$45,108)/MW of the quoted capacity during the last financial year.

They can also possess an internal resource generation capability in the form of profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes of at least ₹751,000 (~$9,033)/MW of the quoted capacity as of the last day of the previous financial year.

They can also show approval from lending institutions committing a line of credit for a minimum of ₹938,800 (~$11,292)/MW of the quoted capacity toward meeting the working capital requirement of the project.

In December, SECI invited bids to set up 1,500 MW ISTS-connected solar power projects in India under Tranche XIII.

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