Tender activity in April 2020 was down 45% from March. According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, around 3.6 GW of solar projects were announced in April, compared to over 8 GW in March. However, tenders announced during the month were up compared to the same period last year.

Auction activity in April, on the other hand, stood at 2 GW, up significantly from just 350 MW in March. In comparison, there was no auction activity at all in the same period last year.

Here’s a quick recap of a few important tender and auction events that took place in April:

Major Tenders

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for 2.5 GW of interstate-connected solar projects under Tranche X (ISTS-X) at the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park (UMREPP) in Koppal district of Karnataka.

RITES Limited, an engineering consultancy company that specializes in transport infrastructure, has floated a tender for setting up 1 GW of land-based solar photovoltaic power projects on various zonal railways land across India.

 Tender Deadline Extensions:

SECI once again extended the deadline for the submission of bids for its mega solar tender of 7.5 GW capacity. These grid-connected solar power projects are slated to be developed in Leh-Kargil districts.

The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) extended the deadline to submit bids for 1,500 MW of grid-connected solar projects to be developed across three solar parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

SECI also extended the deadline for the submission of bids to set up 1.2 GW of wind-solar hybrid power projects in the country under Tranche III of the ISTS program.

NTPC extended the last date to submit bids for the selection of solar power developers to set up 1.2 GW of ISTS-connected solar PV power projects in India.

Auction:

Mercom reported that SoftBank, Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited, O2 Power, EDEN Renewables, and Avaada Energy, were the winners in the 2 GW ISTS connected solar projects auctioned by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Softbank, Axis Energy, O2 Power, and EDEN quoted the lowest (L1) tariff of ₹2.55 (~$0.0335)/kWh in the auction. They were awarded 600 MW, 400 MW, 380 MW, and 300 MW, respectively. Avaada Energy, who had placed bids for 600 MW, was awarded 320 MW at a tariff of ₹2.56 (~$0.0337)/kWh.