SECI Issues Amendments for 1.2 GW Renewables Tender

SECI has made few changes and extended the bid submission deadline for its 1.2 GW tender for setting up of ISTS-connected renewable projects

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has announced in its latest notification that it has made few changes and extended the bid submission deadline for its 1200 MW (1.2 GW) tender for setting up of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected renewable energy projects with a guaranteed peak power supply.

The last date for bid submission has been extended from November 29, 2019, to December 16, 2019. This is the second bid extension for the project tender which was first issued in August with a September 17, 2019, deadline which was later extended until November 29, 2019.

In its amendments, the nodal agency for the development of renewable energy projects in the country has revised the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) that all prospective bidders have to submit along with their bids. Now, all bidders will have to submit an EMD of Rs 7.5 lakh per MW of bid capacity along with their bids, the rate has been increased from the previous Rs 6 lakh/MW.

Furthermore, secs has now also augmented the maximum project capacity that can be awarded to a single bidder from 300 MW to 600 MW. The minimum project capacity that can be awarded through the tender, however, remains the same at 50 MW.

The agency has also stated that the ‘peak tariff’ will mean the tariff payable to the hybrid developers for the energy supplied during the peak hours as per the dispatch schedule confirmed by the Discoms. This would apply to the supply of energy limited to 300 MWh within a day, for each 100 MW contracted capacity. The original document stated that the ‘peak tariff’ will mean the tariff payable to the hybrid developer for the energy generation only during the peak hours.

However, like earlier the energy generated during the off-peak hours shall be eligible for a flat tariff payment @ Rs 2.70/kWh, i.e. the Off-Peak Tariff.

The project installation shall also be augmented with energy storage systems with a minimum rated capacity of the ESS being equal to the contracted capacity of the project as per PPA, in order to meet the above criteria of supply of power during the Peak Hours.

Additionally, the maximum time that will be allocated to each developer for completing the work on the project from the date of issuance of the letter of award has been increased from 24 months to 30 months.