Tata Power, Amp Energy, NTPC, and SJVN are winners in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction to set up 1,200 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)- connected wind-solar hybrid projects (Tranche-V) across India.

Tata Power won a capacity of 600 MW, NTPC (450 MW), and Amp Energy (120 MW), each quoting ₹2.53 (~$0.033)/kWh. SJVN quoted ₹2.54 (~$0.034)/kWh for 200 MW but was only awarded 30 MW under the bucket filling method.

The discovered tariff of ₹2.53 (~$0.033)/kWh is 8.5% higher than the lowest bid of ₹2.34 (~$0.031)/kWh, discovered in the wind-solar hybrid (Tranche-IV) auction held in August last year. NTPC, NLC India, Project Ten Renewable Power (Ayana Renewable Power), and Azure Power were declared winners in the auction.

SECI had floated the tender to set up 1,200 MW ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid projects in October last year. According to the tender document, the hybrid power projects had to be designed for interconnection with the transmission network of the central transmission utility at the voltage level of 220 kV or above. The hybrid power project should comprise two components – 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, wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy must be used.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, SECI has issued a total of 6 GW of wind-solar hybrid tenders under Tranches – I to V, out of which 5.5 GW of capacity has been auctioned.

According to Mercom India Research, tender announcements in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 were down by 52% year-over-year compared to Q1 2020. A slowdown in tender announcements by SECI in Q1 contributed to the decline in activity. There was a 91% drop in SECI’s tender announcements compared to the previous quarter, as it has been trying to clear the backlog of power sale agreements with the distribution companies. The tender activity is expected to resume in the coming quarters.