The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for 100 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind projects, and only Central Public-Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are allowed to participate.

For each wind power project, developers will be allowed to submit bids for a maximum capacity of 100 MW and a minimum capacity of 50 MW. The wind projects vary in size from 50 MW to 100 MW and will be developed on a build, own and operate basis. The power they produce will be sold to the SECI.

The scope of work includes the construction of both the wind project and the transmission network up to the grid connection point. All approvals, permits, and clearances required for development and connectivity – including those required by state and local governments – will be the developer’s responsibility. The maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will also be the responsibility of wind power project developer.

The SECI has stated that the tariff of ₹2.64 (~$0.0413)/kWh quoted in the second, 1 GW wind auction will be the tariff that is applied to the 100 MW of wind projects. The successful bidder will be chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis based on the order of bid submissions.

The SECI previously said that an additional 100 MW of capacity could be awarded to CPSEs that are willing to undertake the development of ISTS-connected wind power projects on a “build, own, operate” basis without participating in the bidding process; however, such an allocation would be set at the lowest bid tariff from the reverse auction.

SECI will enter into 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the successful bidders and power sale agreements (PSAs) with the interested buying entities. Buying entities will be responsible for all transmission charges and losses, as well as any other charges as applicable under the respective regulations beyond the delivery point and up to the withdrawal point.

The advent of reverse auctions in the wind sector has brought down tariffs very quickly and wind power is now competitive with solar in terms of tariff in India.

According to MNRE, cumulative wind power installations in India had reached 32.6 GW as of August 2017.