REMCL Issues RfS For Procurement of Power From Solar-Wind Hybrid Projects

REMCL has issued an RfS for procurement of renewable power through tariff based competitive bidding from wind-solar hybrid power projects.

The Railway Energy Management Company Ltd. (REMCL) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for procurement of renewable power through tariff based competitive bidding from ISTS/InSTS connected wind-solar hybrid power projects.

The ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had issued the guidelines for “Setting-up of 2500 MW ISTS-connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects” in 2018, under the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. The Guidelines provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal utilisation of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.

In line with the above, REMCL has invited proposals for the procurement of renewable power from wind-solar hybrid projects.

The last date for bid submission is July 23, 2019, and the techno-commercial bids will be opened on July 24, 2019. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for July 2, 2019, to address the concerns raised by prospective bidders.

The tender fee is Rs 29,500 and all bidders will have to submit an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 5 lakhs/MW of quoted capacity. There is also a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 3,54,000 for each response to the RfS.

Zonal Railways shall enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Hybrid Project Developers (HPDs) for a period of 25 years from the date as per the provisions of PPA. The maximum tariff payable to each HPD is fixed at Rs. 2.70/kWh for the entire term of 25 years. The bidders will be free to avail fiscal incentives like accelerated depreciation, concessional custom duties, tax holidays, etc. available for such projects as per prevailing conditions.

The RfS details the eligibility of projects as follows:

Projects under construction, projects which are not yet commissioned and projects already commissioned but do not have any long-term PPA with any agency and selling power on short-term or merchant plant basis will also be considered, in case these projects are not already accepted under any other Central or State Schemes and do not have any obligations towards existing buyers. Projects which got commissioned 2 years before bid due date or projects having COD older than 2 years as on bid due date shall not be considered. In case of already commissioned Plants which has completed 2 years of operation as defined above, duration of PPA shall remain unchanged i.e. 25 years. The HPD shall be responsible for the continuity of power supply through the term of PPA through effective maintenance or repowering of plant or otherwise.