Indian Agencies Launch Tenders For PV Generation & Modules

• SECI has launched tranche XIV of its 1.5 GW ISTS-connected solar PV projects tender 
• Land identification and transmission connectivity is part of the broad scope of works 
• NTPC REL has also issued a tender seeking 1.2 GW AC solar modules for the Khavda Solar Project 

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited interested solar power developers for 1,500 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected PV power projects tender under tranche-XIV. Another government agency NTPC Limited's subsidiary NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) is looking for solar module supply for 1,515 MW DC/1,200 MW AC capacity. 

SECI tender 

The 1.5 GW capacity needs to be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis. Along with building and grid-connecting the project, winning bidders will be required to set up the transmission network up to the interconnection/delivery point at their own cost. Identification of land and ensuring all requisite approvals will also constitute their responsibility. 

A single developer can offer to build a minimum project capacity of 50 MW, and a maximum of 750 MW, to be quoted in multiples of 10 MW in this tariff-based competitive bidding round. 

Bidders who have already commissioned solar PV projects or are in the process of constructing such projects and have untied capacity can participate in this request for selection (RFS) round. Selected projects need to be completed within 24 months. 

SECI will enter into 25-year power purchase agreements (PPA) with the winners, and sell power generated to various buying entities in India. 

It issued the call on January 18, 2024 with the last date of online bid submission being February 23, 2024, while offline submissions can be done till February 27, 2024. Details are available on SECI's website. 

This tender follows SECI's call for 1.5 GW ISTS-connected solar PV capacity under tranche XIII (see SECI Launches Solar Tender Under ISTS Tranche XIII).  

NTPC 

The NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NGEL) is looking for solar PV modules with a total capacity of 1.51 GW DC/1.2 GW AC for the Khavda Solar Project (North Block). It needs to be delivered for 378.75 MW DCx4 blocks. The call is for bifacial modules with a minimum of 540 W output. 

The last date for bid submission for the tender launched on January 19, 2024 is February 9, 2024. The detailed tender call for NIT No. NRE-CS-5779-004(MOD-II)-9 is available on NTPC's tender website.  

Previously, NTPC REL was soliciting bids for 1.58 GW crystalline silicon bifacial solar panels for the 1.255 GW Khavda Solar Project (see NTPC Subsidiary Seeking Over 1.5 GW Solar Modules).