Nearly 28.7 GW of solar tenders were floated during 2021, with the sector steadily recovering from the second wave of the Covid-19.

Two of the top five solar tenders floated during the year were by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

Here is a brief review of the top solar tenders floated during 2021 in terms of capacity.

#1 In 2021, the largest tender was floated by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to set up 5 GW of grid-connected solar projects in India (Tranche III) under the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) program (Phase II). NTPC Limited, SJVN, NHPC, NLC India, and IRCON International were declared winners.

#2 Hindustan Salts Limited issued the second-largest tender of 2021 to develop 5 GW of solar projects in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Of this, 4 GW of projects would be developed at Sambhar in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and 1 GW of projects at Kharaghoda in Surendranagar, Gujarat. However, the Rajasthan High Court directed the company to refrain from developing the 4 GW solar project. The court said it wants to examine the possible impact of such a large-scale project on the lake’s ecosystem.

#3 The third-largest tender this year was issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) in March to develop 1,785 MW of solar projects (Tranche IV) in Rajasthan. For each project, the minimum capacity would be 10 MW and the maximum of 1,785 MW. The tender received a massive response and was oversubscribed by 9.3 GW. In all, 27 bidders, including 16 Indian and 11 foreign bidders, were shortlisted.

#4 MSEDCL floated the fourth-largest tender to procure 1,300 MW of solar power from projects to be connected at the distribution network (11/22 kV) in 29 districts in Maharashtra. The projects are expected to be developed under the ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana.’

#5 The fifth-largest tender of the year was from MSEDCL to procure 1,250 MW of solar power from projects developed in Maharashtra. The minimum individual capacity to be developed was 2 MW and the maximum 10 MW. The project should be commissioned within 12 months from the issuance of the letter of award.

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Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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