SECI tenders another 1.2 GW of grid-connected solar projects across India

• Bidders can pitch for up to 300 MW of generation capacity per project with the deadline for proposals on February 4. The eighth tranche of inter-state transmission system program capacity offered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India comes with a solar energy price ceiling of Rs2.78/kWh.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to set up 1.2 GW of grid connected solar power generation capacity under the eighth tranche of its inter-state transmission system program.

Under the terms of the tender, SECI will sign a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders. The maximum tariff payable to successful projects for the electricity generated will be Rs2.78/kWh. Projects – developed on a build, own, operate basis – can be established anywhere in India and SECI will sell the power on to state utilities.

The deadline for bids is on February 4 and all project proposals must be accompanied by bank guarantees for Rs400,000 per megawatt of project capacity. Successful bidders will have to submit performance guarantee of Rs2 million/MW within 30 days of the award of the contract or before signing of the PPA, whichever is sooner.

Capacity offered

Developers can bid for anywhere from 50 MW to all of the available capacity in 10 MW increments. Each project tendered will have a maximum generation capacity of 300 MW and bids can relate either to single-site facilities or aggregated blocks of generation assets, as long as they are within one state.

The minimum voltage permitted for sub-divided blocks of generation capacity will be 33 kV and projects must be designed to connect with the grid via a substation with a minimum 220 kV voltage level.

The declared annual capacity utilization factor of projects must be no less than 17%.

Successful projects must be commissioned within 18 months of the effective date of the PPA or no later than six months after that point upon payment of applicable financial penalties. The scheduled commissioning date may be extended in certain circumstances.