The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has concluded the auction process for 1,000 MW of solar projects under the Develop Build Demonstrate (DBDT) program.

Out of the 1,000 MW capacity, only 560 MW have been auctioned. The 1,000 MW solar tender had been undersubscribed, receiving bids for only 700 MW. As the tender had been undersubscribed, only 80% (560 MW) of the bid capacity was awarded out of the 1,000 MW tender.

Capacities have been awarded to Tata Power Solar (300 MW), Jakson Limited and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) (150 MW). Tata Power Solar was the lowest bidder with an EPC quote of ₹19.2 million (~$271,089). Second in the list of winners was Jakson with an EPC quote of ₹19.96 million (~$281,820) to develop a capacity of 110 MW. L&T had quoted the price of ₹19.98 million (~$282,102) for 300 MW but was allotted capacity of 150 MW in line with the bucket filling method followed in the auction.

Earlier, NTPC had invited bids for the development of grid-connected solar projects up to a capacity of 1,000 MW. The tender was floated under the Develop Build Demonstrate Transfer (DBDT) program.

The scope of work for the project included the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, and commissioning of a capacity ranging between 50 MW to 300 MW (in multiples of 10 MW) on a turnkey basis. The scope of work also included the operation and maintenance of the projects along with the installation of the SCADA system for remote monitoring, module cleaning system, and all associated electrical and civil work, including the evacuation of power.

In December last year, NTPC invited bids for 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects under an engineering, procurement, and construction package in the state of Maharashtra. The projects under this tender could range anywhere between 100 MW and 500 MW. The scope of work included the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packaging, forwarding, transportation, installation, and commissioning of the projects on a turnkey basis.

The NTPC had also invited bids to develop 923 MW of solar projects. The tender had been floated under tranche II of the second phase of the central public sector undertaking (CPSU) program. The tender was under the domestic content requirement (DCR) category, which mandated that domestically manufactured solar cells and modules must be used in the development of the projects. The last date for the submission of bids was January 3, 2020, but it has now been extended to January 17, 2020.