SECI Seeking Clean Energy Capacity Under FDRE-V Tender

• SECI has launched FDRE tranche-V tender seeking renewable energy capacity of 1 GW 
• ESS is mandatory though it may not be co-located with renewable energy projects 
• SECI will be the offtaker for power generated and sell the same to Punjab electric utility PSPCL 

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has solicited bids for tranche-V of its firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) tender with 1 GW of total capacity sought. All the projects need to have an energy storage component along with interstate transmission (ISTS) connectivity. 

The energy storage system (ESS) capacity must be charged using renewable energy alone, and not any other source, according to the tender documents. Renewable energy projects and ESS facilities can either be co-located or located at different locations. 

A single bidder can bid for a minimum 50 MW and a maximum of 500 MW capacity, to be quoted in multiple of 10 MW. 

FDRE refers to round-the-clock supply of electricity from renewable energy sources, including storage, as per demand profile of the offtaker. 

Interested bidders will be expected to set up the ISTS-connected renewable energy projects including the transmission network up to the interconnection/delivery point. Land identification will also be part of the job. Projects will need to be installed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis under the RFS terms. 

Power will be purchased by SECI as the intermediary procurer under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), to be sold to the buying entity which is Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).  

SECI launched the tender on November 11, 2023 with the last date to submit bids being January 9, 2024. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled on December 11, 2023. 

SECI launched FDRE tranche IV tender for 1.26 GW capacity in September 2023 (see 1.26 GW FDRE Power Projects Tender In India).  

In a related development, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) has secured a letter of intent (LOI) from SJVN Limited to develop a 200 MW FDRE project comprising solar, wind and battery storage of appropriate capacities. TPREL says electricity generated will be dispatched as and when needed by discoms during peak hours, providing stability to the grid.