SECI Issues Tender For 1500 MW Of ISTS-Linked Solar Projects 

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender seeking developers to establish solar-generating projects for the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). The central entity sought the tender under the tariff-based competitive bidding mode.

As per SECI’s mandate, the developers would develop the projects under Build Own Operate (BOO) basis for an aggregate capacity of 1500 MW. SECI will enter a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders. The PPAs will be valid for 25 years. 

“A Bidder, including its Parent, Affiliate or Ultimate Parent or any Group Company shall submit a single bid offering a minimum quantum of Contracted Capacity of 50 MW and a maximum quantum of 750 MW, in the prescribed formats. The Projects shall be quoted in multiples of 10 MW only,” the SECI tender read.

It also added that the total capacity to be allocated to a Bidder, including its Parent, Affiliate, Ultimate Parent, or any Group Company, would be up to 750 MW. “ Power procured by SECI from the above Projects has been provisioned to be sold to the different Buying Entities of India. The details of Buying Entities shall be intimated at a later date,” the tender document said.

SECI said that the Bidders would be free to avail of fiscal incentives like Accelerated Depreciation, Concessional Customs and Excise Duties, Tax Holidays, etc., as available for such Projects. “The same will not have any bearing on comparison of bids for selection,” it said.

As per the bid, the solar power developers will set the ISTS-connected solar projects, including the transmission network up to the interconnection/delivery point, with the primary objective of supplying solar power to the SECI at its own cost and as per the mandate of the RfS and PPA. 

“Identification of land, installation and ownership of the Project, along with obtaining connectivity and necessary approvals and interconnection with the ISTS network/STU or InSTS network (as applicable) for supply of power to SECI, will be under the scope of the SPD. For the purpose of STU interconnection, SPD may install the Project in the same State where the Buying Entity is located,” the tender said. 

The last date to submit the hard copy of the bids is February 2, 2024.