NTPC Wins Big In 2 GW SECI CPSU Phase-II Auction

• SECI's 2 GW undersubscribed CPSU Scheme Phase-II tender has found final winners with the NTPC grabbing the lion's share at 769.4 MW
• Other winners are NHDC, Singareni Collieries, APDCL, DMRC and Nalanda University
• Another state entity NLC India has announced completion of the entire 709 MW solar PV capacity in Tamil Nadu that it won in an auction conducted by TANGEDCO in 2017

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has selected six companies under its 2 GW CPSU Phase-II auction with the maximum capacity of 769.4 MW won by the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC). The Indian state owned utility offered the highest amount of viability gap funding (VGF) of INR 7 million ($99,010) per MW compared to other winners.

The other winners are NHDC Ltd securing 25 MW capacity for the lowest VGF limit of INR 5.5 million ($77,793) per MW, followed by Singareni Collieries Company Limited winning 90 MW for INR 6 million ($84,866) per MW. Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) was awarded 30 MW for INR 6.8 million ($96,181) per MW, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) claiming 3 MW for INR 6.97 million ($98,656) per MW and Nalanda University winning 5 MW for INR 6.99 million ($98,947) per MW.

Tendered in March 2019, SECI received 1,068 MW of total bids, as Mercom reported earlier. But 1,153 MW of bids finally came in as the tender was undersubscribed by 847 MW.

The CPSU Scheme is important for the government in its efforts to support domestic solar products manufacturing industry. Power produced from locally produced solar cells and modules will be used to feed government entities.

In August 2019, SECI also launched a request for selection round for 1.5 GW PV capacity under CPSU Scheme Phase-II comprising mini and micro grid projects with INR 3.50 per kWh as the ceiling tariff (see 1.5 GW CPSU Ph-II Solar Tender Launched By SECI).

In another related development from India, state-owned mining company NLC India has completed all of 709 MW of solar power projects it won in a 2017 auction conducted by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO). NLC had then invited bids from solar power developers and operators (SDO) to set up the capacity (see NLC Tenders 709 MW For Tamil Nadu).

Out of 709 MW, NLC India has announced completing balance 351 MW of capacity in the districts of Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Ramamnthapuram. With these, the company says its overall solar power generation capacity has increased to 1.35 GW.