SECI Issues Tender for 100 MW Solar Plant in Chhattisgarh

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on Friday (July 9) released a tender for the Design, Engineering, Supply, Construction, Erection, Testing & Commissioning of 100 MW (AC) Solar PV Project with Land having 15 years Plant O&M At Chhattisgarh. SECI had earlier issued a tender for land parcels in the state for 100 MW  solar projects too, linked to another project.

Chhattisgarh is a coal powerhouse, with its many coal mines providing coal to thermal plants across the country. The state has also lagged behind on renewable energy uptake thanks to its naxal problem, leading to some of the lowest solar capacities in the country when considered by area. This 100 MW project, if successful, will be one of the largest solar plants in the state, even as a 250 MW solar plant for captive power was announced earlier by a private enterprise.

The project also refers to the BCD regime expected to kick in from April 2022, and makes it clear that it will not be considered a change in aw event. Besides that, the proviso for sourcing components from local suppliers listed in the MNRE’s  March 10 ALMM order is also explicitly mentioned. Going by all these factors, and the presence of SECI itself as the purchaser with back to back arrangements with the state discom, this one does look like an interesting tender, considering the recent MSEDCL tender that attracted bids at Rs 2.41/unit without the presence of SECI.

The last date for bids submission is September 9, 2021.