SECI Tenders For 1.2 GW RTC Renewable Energy Projects Across India

SECI, has issued a tender to select renewable power developers to supply 1.2 GW of Round-the-Clock (RTC) power for renewable projects across India. The last date for bids submission is 16th December. With a commissioning time of 24 months, the 4 hour RTC supply will need to maintain a Demand Fulfillment Ratio (DFR) of 80% annually, and 90% during peak hours. With RTC projects having multiple components including solar, wind and storage, early commissioning and even component wise commissioning is also allowed.

This tender marks the reintroduction of Round-the-Clock (RTC) projects after a period of relative lull when Firm Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects gained prominence. RTC tenders were initially introduced in 2019, with ReNew Solar Power Private Limited securing a 400 MW project at a tariff rate of Rs. 2.90. However, as demand for on-demand energy grew, FDRE took centre stage. The first FDRE tender to conclude was awarded to SJVN for 1,500 megawatts (MW) in November 2023. The discovered tariff was Rs. 4.38 (US¢5.3) per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while slightly higher than RTC tenders, went down to lower levels subsequently. That would make the final bids for this tender very interesting, as expets we spoke to predict bids  below Rs 3.50/unit.  SECI’s July 2024 BESS tender for 1200 MWh was won at Rs 3.41/unit.

Bidders have to submit proposals with a minimum offering of 50 MW, up to a maximum of 600 MW, using the prescribed formats.

According to the latest tender guidelines, “The RE Power Developer (RPD) shall set up ISTS-connected RE Power Project(s), including the transmission network up to the Interconnection/Delivery Point(s), with the primary objective of supplying RE power to SECI at the developer’s own cost. The bidder will also be responsible for land identification, project installation and ownership, and obtaining connectivity, necessary approvals, and interconnection with the ISTS network, STU, or InSTS network (as applicable) for power supply to SECI. For STU interconnection, the RPD may install the Project in the same State where the Buying Entity is located.”

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) must be part of the Project. It is clarified that ESS charged using sources other than RE power would not qualify as RE power. To avoid any doubt, it is further clarified that the ESS may be owned by the RPD or tied up separately with a third party by the RPD for power supply. The RPD may change the ESS technology at any time during the Term of the PPA. Any ESS modifications during the PPA term will be at the risk and cost of the RPD, with SECI notified of the changes.