The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has signed a power sale agreement (PSA) with the Grid Corporation of Odisha GRIDCO, the state-owned power distribution company, for 600 MW of wind power under Tranche XIII of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) Connected Wind Power Projects program.

In December last year, SECI announced the auction winners for 1.2 GW ISTS-connected wind power projects under Tranche-XIII.

SJVN, Scatec India II BV, and O2 Power were declared winners and allocated the 600 MW capacity at a tariff range of ₹2.90 (~$0.035) to ₹2.95 (~$0.036)/kWh.

The commissioned power is scheduled to be operational within 24 months from the date of signing the power purchase agreement (PPA) with project developers.

Notably, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission has already provided in-principal approval for GRIDCO Odisha’s procurement of 600 MW of wind power.

Under the ISTS program, power generated from the renewable energy resources of one state can be transmitted to other states with renewable energy deficits.

Wind developers based in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are expected to install an aggregate capacity of 600 MW.

In December last year, the Odisha government released its renewable energy policy, which outlines the state’s intention to promote renewable energy consumption, primarily through captive and open-access modes.

GRIDCO is presently engaged in the bulk purchase and sale of power to the four distribution companies (DISCOMS) inside Odisha and trading surplus power through traders to promote the exchange of power with neighboring states.

In February this year, SECI signed a PSA with GRIDCO for 400 MW of ISTS-connected wind power from projects in Karnataka and Gujarat. The 400 MW comprises 390 MW of wind power under the ISTS Tranche XII program and 10 MW from ISTS Tranche XI.

As of date, SECI has already awarded renewable energy project capacities exceeding 58 GW.

SECI has recently invited bids to develop 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected wind power projects (Tranche XIV) in the country.