Tata Power, Amp Energy, NTPC Limited, and SJVN Ltd emerged as winners in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction to install a 1,200 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)- connected wind-solar hybrid projects (Tranche-V) across India.

Tata Power won a capacity of 600 MW, Amp Energy (120 MW), and NTPC (450 MW), each quoting Rs 2.53 per kWh. SJVN quoted Rs 2.54 per kWh for a capacity of 200 MW but was only awarded 30 MW under the bucket filling method.

The discovered tariff of Rs 2.53 per kWh is 8.5% higher than the lowest bid of Rs 2.34 per kWh, discovered in the wind-solar hybrid (Tranche-IV) auction held in August 2021. NTPC, NLC India, Project Ten Renewable Power (Ayana Renewable Power), and Azure Power were announced as winners in the auction.

In October last year, SECI floated the tender to install 1,200 MW ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid projects.

The hybrid power projects had to be developed for interconnection with the transmission network of the central transmission utility at the voltage level of 220 KV or above, as per the tender document. The hybrid power project should include two components – one wind and one solar power project. The rated established project capacity of either of the two parts should be at least 33% of the contracted capacity.

Wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) must be used to provide only quality systems installed.

SECI has issued a total of 6 GW of wind-solar hybrid tenders under Tranches – I to V, out of which 5.5 GW of capacity has been auctioned, according to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker.

Tender announcements in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 were down by 52% year-over-year (YoY) against Q1 2020. A downshift in tender announcements by SECI in Q1 contributed to the decrease in activity, according to Mercom India Research.

There was a 91% reduction in SECI’s tender and inactivity compared to the previous quarter, as it has been trying to clear the backlog of power sale agreements with the distribution firms. The tender activity is likely to resume in the coming quarters.

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