The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has awarded 100 MW of grid-connected solar projects to be developed across five talukas of the state. The capacity has been awarded following a reverse auction. The tender was issued back in October 2018.

According to a KREDL release, Think Energy Partners (TEPSOL) and Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company (SP Infra) have been awarded the projects. TEPSOL will develop 80 MW of solar PV capacity while SP Infra will develop the remaining 20 MW.

According to Mercom’s source at Think Energy Partners, the company quoted a tariff of ₹2.91 (~$0.041)/kWh to develop the projects. However, SP Infra did not disclose the tariff. The projects will be developed in Mundargi, Gajendragad, Maski, Kuragodu, and Gurmatkal talukas.

In October 2018, Asian Fab Tec had won the bid to develop 20 MW of solar projects in each of the five districts by quoting a tariff of ₹2.89 (~$0.039)/kWh.

Previously, KREDL had tendered 860 MW of grid-connected solar PV to be developed across 43 taluks in Karnataka in December 2017, out of which PPAs totaling 640 MW  have been signed.

Earlier, KREDL allocated 1,200 MW of solar projects across 60 taluks with a ceiling of 20 MW per taluk under phase-V of the state’s solar policy. Mercom had earlier reported about the amendments to the Karnataka State Solar Policy 2014-21 which stated the increase in the capacity to 6 GW by March 2022, from its previous target of 4 GW. The solar power generation in the state was decided to be limited to 200 MW per taluk with the exception of rooftop solar to avoid grid congestion.

Following the example of Karnataka, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) also tendered 1 GW of solar projects to be developed under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana. The solar PV projects were to be developed across 218 taluks in 20 districts in Maharashtra.

According to Mercom’s India Solar project Tracker, Karnataka has approximately 5.3 GW large scale solar in operations and around 2 GW of projects are under development.