The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has tendered 750 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be developed on standalone basis across Rajasthan.

The bid-submission deadline is September 14, 2018.

SECI has fixed ₹2.93 (~$0.0427)/kWh as the upper tariff ceiling for this tender. The projects will have minimum individual capacities of 10 MW and will be set up in multiples of 10 MW, with a cumulative capacity of 750 MW.

A single bidder must bid for minimum 10 MW and can bid for a maximum 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 project should be designed for interconnection with the nearest substation at a voltage level of 33 kV or above. The maintenance of transmission system up to the inter-connection point will be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

SECI will enter 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 will demonstrate possession of 100 percent of the land identified for the project within 12 months from the effective date of the PPA.

Recently, the Ministry of Power (MoP) amended the competitive bidding guidelines for the procurement of power from grid-connected solar PV projects in India. These guidelines will apply to this tender.

Part commissioning of the project will be accepted by SECI. The minimum capacity in such a case must be 50 MW.

In case of delay in commissioning of the project beyond the scheduled commissioning date, the total performance bank guarantee (PBG) amount for the project will be encashed on per-day-basis and proportionate to the balance capacity not commissioned.

For a project having a capacity up to 240 MW, the maximum time allowed for commissioning will be 27 months. For projects having a capacity of 250 MW and above, the maximum allowed time will be 30 months.

After the maximum allowable time expires the balance capacity will be terminated from the PPA.

Bidders must know that SECI is about to cancel bids totaling 2,400 MW out of the 3,000 MW solar PV auction as they were below the average pooled tariff of the recently concluded SECI 2 GW solar PV auction. Per the SECI Board letter reviewed by Mercom, ₹2.503 (~$0.0365)/kWh was the average pooled tariff of SECI 2 GW auction and the SECI Board is not willing to award contracts to bidders who have bid above that price.