CESC Limited, a distribution company (DISCOM) in West Bengal has issued a notice inviting expressions of interest (EoI) from interested vendors to procure 200 MW of solar power on a short-term basis. This will help the DISCOM meet its renewable purchase obligation (RPO) from the existing solar PV projects.

The last date to submit EoI is May 7, 2019. Any solar PV project that is located in West Bengal or outside but connected to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) can participate in this tender and supply power to CESC Limited.

A single vendor must submit a bid for the supply of at least 5 MW of solar capacity. The successful solar PV generator will have to supply 200 MW on an 11 to 18-hour basis for the period between May and September 2019.

If the solar PV project is located outside West Bengal, then the successful bidder must ensure the delivery up to state periphery, and if the solar PV project is located in the state, the successful bidder must ensure its interconnection with West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (WBSETCL).

The fulfillment of RPO, both solar and non-solar, is gradually assuming greater significance in the country with the DISCOMs learning to take it more seriously as regulatory commissions have started cracking down.

Beginning of this month, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) approved Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL)’s request to procure wind energy from projects whose energy purchase agreements have expired, to fulfill its non-solar RPO.

In February 2019, Haryana Power Purchase Center came up with a tender to purchase short term non-solar renewable power between April 1 and October 1, 2019. The non-solar renewable power will be purchased at 120 MW/month.

Recently, Vedanta Limited also invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the procurement of solar power under short or medium term basis from solar power generators, state electricity boards, and utilities, independent power producers and traders.

In November 2018, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) announced it was planning to procure 1,000 MW of renewable energy on a short-term basis to meet RPOs.