The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has sought interested solar power developers to set up 1.2 GW interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected solar PV projects in the southern state of Karnataka. The request for selection (RFS) is part of its tariff based competitive bidding ISTS-X round.

Interested developers will have their job cut out as they will identify land, install, grid connect and own the project, and sell power generated to SECI under 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Entire 1.2 GW capacity will be awarded as maximum 600 MW each for injection at ISTS substations in Gadag and Koppal districts.

Minimum capacity to be bid for is 50 MW, and maximum capacity will be entire 1.2 GW on offer. All projects need to be quoted in multiples of 10 MW.

SECI is conducting a pre-bid meeting on July 26, 2021, while the last date to submit bids is September 3, 2021, according to tender details on its website.

For its 2 GW ISTS-IX solar tender, SECI attracted bids representing 5.28 GW capacity in June 2020, with ReNew Power bidding for 1.2 GW, and NTPC wanting 1.18 GW of the total (see SECI’s 2 GW ISTS IX Solar Tender Secures 5.28 GW Bids).

In April 2020, SECI launched a RFS round for 2.5 GW PV capacity under Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park (UMREPP) in Karnataka to be set up in the Koppal district of Karnataka (see SECI Launches 2.5 GW Solar Tender Under ISTS-X).