CERC Rejects Plea to Approve Tariff for 300 MW Wind-Solar Projects

MHI Announces Demand Incentives for Electric Trucks Under PM E-Drive

RECPDCL Signs Agreements for Installing 3.32 Million Smart Meters in Gujarat

Rajasthan Commission Approves Tariffs for 82 MW Solar Projects Under KUSUM

Karnataka Sets Benchmark Tariff of ₹3.07/kWh for MW-Scale Solar Projects

Daily News Wrap-Up: MNRE Clarifies ALMM Norms for Behind-the-Meter Projects

REMCL Floats Tender for 3 MW Solar Project in Noida

JK Tyre to Source 5 MW of Renewable Energy from STTY RE

MNRE Issues Clarifications on ALMM Mandate for Behind-the-Meter Projects

Himachal Electricity Regulator Finalizes Resource Adequacy Framework Regulations

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/amazon_polly_73151.mp3?version=1732775281">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The <a href="https://mines.gov.in/webportal/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Mines</a> has concluded the e-auction of two more mineral blocks under Tranche IV to secure critical and strategic minerals essential for India’s industrial and economic growth.
The two newly auctioned blocks are:
<ul>
<li>Ponchi Graphite Block in Jharkhand, awarded to Satguru Mining Private with a final price offer of 752.05%.</li>
<li>Vadakhol-Asoli Block in Maharashtra, containing nickel, chromium, cobalt, and associated minerals, was awarded to <a href="https://amdc.assam.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assam Mineral Development Corporation</a> with a final price offer of 7.05%.</li>
</ul>
These minerals are critical for India&#8217;s energy transition, electronics, defense, and renewable energy sectors.
The development follows the November 7, 2024, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-auctions-eight-critical-blocks-in-fourth-tranche" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> of eight preferred bidders, bringing the total number of successful blocks in this tranche to ten.
Tranche IV of the auctions, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-cancels-auction-critical-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> on June 24, 2024, offered 21 mineral blocks across various states. After an evaluation, ten blocks progressed to the second round of e-auctions, with eight blocks successfully auctioned.
Progress Across Tranches
The e-auction initiative, which commenced with the notification of the first tranche in November 2023, has now completed four successful tranches. Key highlights include:
<ul>
<li>A total of 48 blocks were offered across the four tranches.</li>
<li>24 blocks have been successfully auctioned, including four mining leases and 20 composite license blocks.</li>
</ul>
In March, the ministry <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ministry-launches-third-critical-mineral-blocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> the third tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic minerals, granting concessions for seven mineral blocks across five states. These blocks, located in Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir, included minerals such as glauconite, graphite, nickel, PGE, potash, lithium, and titanium.
A year ago, the government <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/union-cabinet-approves-royalty-critical-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the amendment to the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, setting reduced royalty rates for three critical and strategic minerals—lithium, niobium, and Rare Earth Elements (REEs)—used in energy transition technologies.

Mines Ministry Auctions Two New Critical Mineral Blocks, Completes Tranche IV

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/amazon_polly_72414.mp3?version=1730978470">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The <a href="https://mines.gov.in/webportal/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Mines</a> has auctioned eight critical and strategic mineral blocks across five states under Tranche IV, bringing the total auctioned blocks to 22.
Tranche IV of the auctions, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-cancels-auction-critical-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> on June 24, 2024, offered 21 mineral blocks across various states. After an evaluation, ten blocks progressed to the second round of e-auctions, with eight blocks successfully auctioned.
The remaining two blocks will be auctioned by December 2, 2024.
Graphite and vanadium are key to energy storage and green technologies among the mineral blocks auctioned.
The blocks auctioned are in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Four blocks from the North-East region were auctioned for the first time, expanding the country&#8217;s mining frontier. The tranche saw its inaugural successful bids for a tungsten block and two cobalt blocks, essential for high-tech and defense applications.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-72415 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1.png" alt="" width="752" height="350" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1.png 752w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1-300x140.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1-650x303.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1-624x290.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Picture1-600x279.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
The auction attracted significant interest from companies like <a href="https://www.hzlindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hindustan Zinc</a>, <a href="https://www.vedantalimited.com/eng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vedanta</a>, <a href="https://www.mamco.com/industries/metals-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mamco Mining Private</a>, <a href="https://www.oil-india.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil India</a>, and <a href="https://orissametaliks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orissa Metaliks</a>.
Premiums ranged from 2.55% to 320%, underscoring the strong demand for these strategic minerals.
In March, the ministry <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ministry-launches-third-critical-mineral-blocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> the third tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic minerals, granting concessions for seven mineral blocks across five states. These blocks, located in Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir, included minerals such as glauconite, graphite, nickel, PGE, potash, lithium, and titanium.
A year ago, the government <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/union-cabinet-approves-royalty-critical-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the amendment to the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, setting reduced royalty rates for three critical and strategic minerals—lithium, niobium, and Rare Earth Elements (REEs)—used in energy transition technologies.
India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-unveils-critical-clean-energy-and-cut-imports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> its first-ever report on “Critical Minerals for India,” identifying a list of 30 critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, cadmium, silicon, indium and tellurium,  imperative for the development of electric vehicles and solar energy.

India Auctions Eight Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks in Fourth Tranche

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/amazon_polly_67450.mp3?version=1720076504">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The <a href="https://mines.gov.in/webportal/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Mines</a> has launched the fourth tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic minerals, offering concessions for 21 mineral blocks, even as it canceled the auction of 14 mineral blocks from the second tranche.
The ministry attributed the cancelation due to poor response. In February, the ministry <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-launches-second-strategic-mineral-blocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the second tranche to grant concessions for 18 critical and strategic mineral blocks across eight states, with 17 designated for composite licenses and one for a mining lease.
According to a notice on the MSTC website, five of these 14 blocks received no bids. The auction for the other nine blocks was annulled due to fewer than three technically qualified bidders. The list of canceled blocks is as follows:
<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-67453 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2.png" alt="Mineral Blocks Annulled Due to No Bids (Tranche 2)" width="747" height="271" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2.png 747w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2-300x109.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2-650x236.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2-624x226.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-No-Bids-Tranche-2-600x218.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px" /></a>
<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-67454 " src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2.png" alt="Mineral Blocks Annulled Due to Insufficient Qualified Bidders (Tranche 2)" width="744" height="269" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2.png 832w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2-300x109.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2-768x278.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2-650x235.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2-624x226.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mineral-Blocks-Annulled-Due-to-Insufficient-Qualified-Bidders-Tranche-2-600x217.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px" /></a>
The ministry also announced the preferred bidders for the six blocks auctioned in the first tranche:
<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals-.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-67456 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals-.png" alt="Tranche I Auction Results of Critical Minerals" width="881" height="322" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals-.png 881w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals--300x110.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals--768x281.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals--650x238.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals--624x228.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tranche-I-Auction-Results-of-Critical-Minerals--600x219.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px" /></a>
In the fourth tranche, 11 newly available blocks are located across Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. They include minerals such as graphite, glauconite, phosphorite, potash, nickel, platinum group elements, phosphate, and rare earth elements.
Ten blocks are from previous tranches, up for a second attempt. These are located in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. They contain minerals like tungsten, vanadium, graphite, glauconite, cobalt, and nickel.
Reimbursement of Exploration Expenses
The ministry has also introduced a program to partially reimburse exploration expenses for exploration license holders. Under this program, up to 50% of exploration costs, with a maximum of ₹200 million (~$2.4 million), will be reimbursed. This provision, introduced through an amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in 2023, aims to encourage junior mining companies to participate in exploration auctions and strengthen the exploration ecosystem in the country.
The ministry awarded certificates to two newly notified private exploration agencies. The total number of notified private exploration agencies has risen to 22 with these new additions.
A total of 20 blocks for exploration licenses have been handed over to various states and union territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Karnataka and Rajasthan are the first states to notify the auction of exploration licenses, with nine auctions currently notified by various states.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy announced that the ministry has planned to launch the first tranche of auction of offshore mineral blocks within 100 days of the new government assuming office.
In March, the ministry <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ministry-launches-third-critical-mineral-blocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> the third tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic minerals, granting concessions for seven mineral blocks across five states. These blocks, located in Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir, included minerals such as glauconite, graphite, nickel, PGE, potash, lithium, and titanium.
The first tranche was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ministry-of-mines-issues-critical-minerals-blocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> on November 2023, which saw the auction of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks, including minerals like glauconite, nickel, platinum group elements, potash, graphite, molybdenum, phosphorite, lithium, and rare earth elements.

Government Cancels Auction of 14 Critical Minerals, Launches Fourth Tranche

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECI</a>) has invited bids for setting up 1,200 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-IV) on a build, own, operate basis across India.
The minimum bid capacity should be 50 MW, with at least 50 MW of project capacity being proposed at each project site. The maximum capacity has been set at 1,200 MW.
The last date to submit the bids is May 28, 2021. The pre-bid meeting will be held on April 26.
The successful bidder will have to submit a performance bank guarantee for a value of ₹1 million (~$13,292)/MW/project latest by seven days before signing the power purchase agreement (PPA).
The hybrid power projects must be designed for interconnection with the transmission network of the central transmission utility (CTU) at the voltage level of 220 kV or above. As per the tender document, a hybrid power project should comprise two components &#8211; one solar and one wind power project. The rated installed project capacity of either of the two components should be at least 33% of the contracted capacity.
To ensure only quality systems are installed, the wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will have to be used.
Bidders have been advised to take cognizance of the imposition of  Basic Customs Duty on solar cells and modules while preparing their bids.
The bidder should provide information about the solar panels and wind turbines to be installed in the project. The bidder&#8217;s net worth should be equal to or greater than ₹10 million (~$132,927)/MW of the quoted capacity, as on the day at least seven days before the bid submission date.
The bidder&#8217;s annual turnover should be ₹7.5 million (~$99,694)/MW of the quoted capacity during the last financial year. The internal resource generation capacity should be ₹1.5 million (~$19,939)/MW of the quoted capacity as of the previous financial year&#8217;s last date. The bidder should also have a sanction letter from the lending institution committing a line of credit for a minimum of ₹1.875 million (~$24,923)/MW of the quoted capacity.
The project should be designed for interconnection with the ISTS per the prevailing CERC regulations. The declared annual capacity utilization factor should not be less than 30%.
In December last year, three companies <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-solar-wind-hybrid-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> 1.2 GW of solar-wind hybrid projects quoting a tariff of ₹2.41 (~$0.0326)/kWh – the lowest-ever for solar-wind hybrid projects. The tariff was discovered in the SECI&#8217;s auction for setting up 1.2 GW of interstate transmission-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects under Tranche III of the ISTS program.
Earlier, Adani Green Energy had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/adani-lowest-tariff-seci-hybrid-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emerged</a> as the lowest bidder in SECI’s auction for 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected solar-wind hybrid power projects under Tranche-II. Adani Green Energy had quoted a tariff of ₹2.69 (~$0.0387)/kWh to set up 600 MW of solar-wind hybrid projects.
According to Mercom&#8217;s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a>, SECI has issued a total of  3.6 GW of wind-solar hybrid tenders under Tranche &#8211; I, II &amp; III, out of which 2.76 GW of capacity has been auctioned.

SECI Invites Bids for 1.2 GW of ISTS-Connected Solar Wind Hybrid Projects

SECI Invites Bids to Develop 1,785 MW of Solar Projects in Rajasthan

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SECI</a>) has announced its intent to float a tender for 1,785 MW of solar projects in Rajasthan (Tranche-IV).
SECI said the projects are to be set up in Rajasthan on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis and that it would sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders for 25 years. It added that the request for selection documents for these projects would be made available “shortly.”
According to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">India Solar Tender Tracker</a>, SECI has tendered 2.57 GW of solar projects under Tranches I, II, and III in Rajasthan, of which 2.5 GW of projects were allocated to developers.
Of the allocated projects, about 1.43 GW of large-scale solar projects are under development, and about 1.07 GW are in the pre-construction stage, according to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">India Solar Project Tracker</a>.
SECI’s Previous Solar Tenders in Rajasthan: 
In November 2020, SECI’s auction for 1,070 MW of solar projects in Rajasthan (Tranche-III) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-record-lowest-solar-tariff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">discovered</a> a record-low lowest tariff (L1 tariff) of ₹2 (~$0.0274)/kWh. This tariff was about 15.3% lower than SECI’s previous record low tariff of ₹2.36 (~$0.0323)/kWh <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-solar-auction-india-record-low/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">discovered</a> in its auction for 2 GW of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected solar projects (Tranche IX) back in June.
SECI had received bids from 14 companies for a total of 4,350 MW, leaving the tender oversubscribed by 3,280 MW. Eight of the quoted tariffs were below the previous record low of ₹2.36 (~$0.0323)/kWh.
The record-breaking tariff was quoted by Al Jomaiah Energy and Water Company and Green Infra Wind Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Sembcorp, for 200 MW and 400 MW of solar projects, respectively. NTPC Limited quoted the second-lowest bid at ₹2.01 (~$0.0275)/kWh for 600 MW of projects but were only awarded 470 MW under the bucket-filling method.
SECI’s previous tender in Rajasthan for 750 MW of grid-connected solar projects (Tranche-II) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-750-solar-auction-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">saw</a> an L1 tariff of ₹2.50 (~$0.034)/kWh in June 2019. Of the tendered capacity, only 680 MW of solar capacity was awarded. Techno-commercial bids worth 850 MW were qualified, but only 80% of that was awarded.
In February 2019, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-750mw-solar-tender-oversubscribed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> that SECI’s 750 MW Tranche-I tender was oversubscribed by 1,620 MW and received bids for 2,370 MW. Four solar project developers – Fortum Solar (250 MW), ACME Solar (250 MW), Sitara Solar (100 MW), and Palimarwar Solar (40 MW), had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-auction-results-750-mw-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quoted</a> the lowest tariff of ₹2.48 (~$0.0339)/kWh in the auction for these projects.

SECI to Float Tender for 1,785 MW of Solar Projects in Rajasthan

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="http://seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECI</a>) has auctioned 2 GW of Interstate Transmission System (ISTS)-connected wind power projects under Tranche-IV. These projects can be developed anywhere in the country.
The capacity was tendered by SECI in <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-2gw-ists-wind-project-tender/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 2018</a>.
A SECI official confirmed to Mercom that the lowest (L1) tariff quoted by the bidders stood at ₹2.51 (~$0.0386)/kWh. In all, six bidders quoted the L1 tariff to win 1,435 MW of project capacity. The tariffs quoted in the auction ranged between a high of ₹2.67 (~$0.0411)/kWh and a low of ₹2.51 (~$0.0386)/kWh.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9643" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c2.png" alt="" width="577" height="373" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c2.png 577w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c2-300x194.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px" /></a>When asked about the winners, the SECI official said, “Amongst the winning bidders, other than ReNew Wind Energy (TN) Private Limited, all the others will be awarded the capacities they bid for, per rules of competitive bidding.”
Srijan Energy Systems was the L1 bidder to develop 250 MW. Sprng Energy, BLP Energy, Betam Energy, INOX Wind, and Adani Green Energy quoted a tariff of ₹2.51 (~$0.0386)/kWh to develop 300 MW, 285 MW, 200 MW, 100 MW, and 300 MW respectively.
Mytrah Energy quoted a tariff of ₹2.52 (~$0.0388)/kWh to develop 300 MW. ReNew Wind Energy (TN) Private Limited too quoted a tariff of ₹2.52 (~$0.0388)/kWh to develop 300 MW but was awarded 265 MW.
When asked about how long it will take for the PPAs to be signed, the SECI official said, “The letters of award (LoAs) will be issued soon, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) between successful bidders and SECI will be signed two months after the award of LoA.”
Overall, out of the 2 GW tendered, SECI was able to auction 1,435 MW at a tariff of ₹2.51 (~$0.0386)/kWh. The L1 tariff quoted in this auction is 3.3 percent more than the lowest ever wind tariff of ₹2.43 (~$0.0373)/kWh. At the same time, the L1 tariff quoted in this auction is 2.9 percent more than the L1 tariff quoted in SECI’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-wind-2gw-auction/">Tranche-III wind auction</a>.  SECI had tendered 2 GW of ISTS-connected wind projects under <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-2-gw-wind-projects/">Tranche-III</a> in December 2017.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c3.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9644" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c3.png" alt="₹2.51/kWh Wins SECI 2 GW ISTS Wind Auction " width="524" height="359" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c3.png 524w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/c3-300x206.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px" /></a>“Though it is not a direct comparison, recent wind auctions have come in consistently lower than the solar auctions. If a safeguard duty on solar components is imposed, the difference in tariffs will be even more pronounced,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.
In October 2017, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/wind-becomes-competitive-solar-tariff-drops-record-low-%E2%82%B92-64-kwh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the wind power tariff dropped below ₹3 (~$0.05)/kWh for the first time with the lowest winning bid of ₹2.64 (~$0.0413)/kWh quoted in the second 1 GW wind auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), which was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-1000-mw-ists-connected-wind-projects-tranche-ii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tendered</a> in June 2017.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9645" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343.png" alt="₹2.51/kWh Wins SECI 2 GW ISTS Wind Auction" width="992" height="461" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343.png 992w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343-600x279.png 600w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343-300x139.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343-768x357.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343-650x302.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/343-624x290.png 624w" sizes="(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px" /></a>
In a recent <a href="https://mercomindia.com/greenko-interview-wind-tariffs-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with Mercom, P. Vinay Kumar, the chief operating officer (COO) of <a href="http://www.greenkogroup.com/">Greenko</a> Group, had commented that “the wind tariffs that have been discovered in recent bids have a lot to do with the high yield of the sites that have been chosen for bidding. The bidding paradigm concentrates capacity in high yield sites to the detriment of low yield sites. Therefore, in a way, the wind sector is bouncing back and finding a new equilibrium and a new average.”

₹2.51/kWh Wins SECI 2 GW ISTS Wind Auction

To leverage the current decline in the wind tariffs, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="http://seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECI</a>) has tendered 2 GW of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected wind power projects under Tranche-IV. The bid-submission deadline is March 7, 2018.
A single bidder can bid for a minimum 50 MW and maximum of 300 MW capacity. The successful bidders will enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the SECI for a period of 25 years.
The scope of work includes setting up of the wind power projects as well as the transmission network up to the delivery point.
All approvals, permits, and clearances required for the development and connectivity – including those required by state governments – have been made the responsibility of the project developer. The maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will also be the responsibility of the developer.
Though this is a global tender, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) are not eligible for participation. The projects will be developed on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) basis and the timeframe for the commissioning of the project has been set at 18 months from the effective date of the PPA.
The SECI has fixed ₹2.93 (~$0.045)/kWh as upper tariff ceiling for this tender. Wind tariffs in the country have dropped considerably over the course of the past year, with a fall of over 24 percent between the two wind auctions held in 2017.
In October 2017, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/wind-becomes-competitive-solar-tariff-drops-record-low-%E2%82%B92-64-kwh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the wind power tariff dropped below ₹3 (~$0.05)/kWh for the first time with the lowest winning bid of ₹2.64 (~$0.0413)/kWh quoted in the second 1 GW wind auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), which was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-1000-mw-ists-connected-wind-projects-tranche-ii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tendered</a> in June 2017.
Previously, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/power-sale-agreement-1000-mw-wind-projects-signed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom had reported</a>, “The government plans to tender 1,500-2,000 MW in January 2018 and 1,500-2,000 MW in March 2018. A total of 10 GW will be tendered in the financial year 2018 and 10 GW in 2019, leaving a margin of 2 years for commissioning of projects.”
In December 2017, the SECI also tendered 2 GW of ISTS-connected wind projects under <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-2-gw-wind-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tranche-III</a>.

tranche-iv

Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.

RECENT POSTS