The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is soliciting bids for 1.5 GW of Inter–State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected renewable energy projects, anywhere in India, for the supply of firm and dispatchable power on demand-following basis, making addition of energy storage systems (ESS) a must for the projects.
The ESS should be charged using only renewable energy power. These may also be tied-up separately with a 3rd party by the renewables project developer for the supply of power. Technology used for the ESS can be changed at any time during the PPA term.
Bids will be accepted for renewable energy/storage projects already commissioned or under construction with untied capacity. Developers will be responsible for identification of land, along with setting up the renewable energy generation projects and setting up a dedicated transmission network up to the interconnection point at their own cost.
Interested companies can submit bids for a minimum of 50 MW and a maximum of 750 MW in multiples of 10 MW.
Winners will enter 25-year power purchase agreements (PPA) with SECI as the offtaker, which the latter will then sell to state discoms of Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. These are Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL).
Power to be supplied needs to be scheduled on day-ahead basis to match the demand profile in every 15 minutes' time-block. Buying entities will need to compulsorily offtake all the power.
Developers will be allowed to supply excess power generated to any 3rd party or power exchange without the need for a no objection certificate, in order to optimize renewable energy generation and supply.
SECI launched the tender on July 31, 2023, and will accept bids till September 19, 2023, as per the request for selection (RFS) call.
In July 2023, India's state-owned utility NTPC Ltd also launched a tender for 1.5 GW wind-solar hybrid projects with ISTS-connectivity (see NTPC Issued Large-Scale Hybrid RE Tender).