NHPC Floats 1.2 GW Wind-Solar Hybrid Tender With Greenshoe Option

In a bid to procure hybrid power, NHPC recently floated a tender to supply 1,200 MW of power from wind-solar hybrid power projects, with a greenshoe option, The tender also said these projects could be established with or without Energy Storage Systems (ESS) anywhere in India. NHPC set 16th January 2025 as the last date for bid submission.

Hybrid projects backed by storage facilities can enhance the quality of renewable energy. Additionally, grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems facilitate optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing variability in renewable power generation and improving grid stability.

The NHPC tender specifies a minimum project size of 50 MW, with increments in multiples of 10 MW. It sets a limit of 600 MW without the greenshoe option and 1,200 MW for bidders opting for the greenshoe option. The tender mandates the use of crystalline silicon, thin-film, or CPV technologies, with or without trackers, for the solar component. Only commercially established and operational technologies are permitted to minimize technology risk and ensure timely project commissioning.

Hybrid projects address the intermittency and variability associated with renewable energy and the low-capacity utilization of the transmission system. They mitigate growing concerns impacting effective renewable energy integration and grid stability. Combining different renewable energy sources reduces individual variability and improves output.

The tender seeks developers or generators with prior experience in commissioning solar-wind hybrid power plants. It also invites developers who have already set up capacity or have spare untied capacity. However, the tender does not offer any separate Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for implementing the projects.

NHPC Previous tender

NHPC Limited earlier in September issued a tender where it sought solar power generators to develop 1.2 GW solar power projects with 600MW/1200MWh (ESS) anywhere in India. The company said that this project will be set up under an Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) transmission network. It also said that the bidders will get a Green Shoe Option. The tender sets October 18th as the last date for bid submission.

Its NHPC’s last tender awarded the project to  Juniper Green Energy, Energizent Power (O2 Power), and Avaada Energy for 1,500 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects anywhere in India. Among the winners. Juniper won 150 MW capacity for ₹3.48/kWh.