Second procurement announcement will make for 2.4 GW of new solar in India - SolarStar

Having yesterday launched an India  -wide1.2 GW solar  tender, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) subsequently announced a second 1.2 GW exercise, this one focused on the state ofMadhya Pradesh.

The available generation capacity in the state auction is 300 MW 150 MW at the 765/400/220 kV Satna substation; 450 MW at the 400/220 kV Khwa substation; 300 MW at the 400/220 kV Itarsi facility.

SECI will sign 25-year power purchase agreements with the successful bidders the power generated will be sold to utilities.

The successful projects – to be developed on a build, own, operate basis – will secure a tariff set through a reverse auction with a ceiling of Rs2.65/kWh. Bidding closes on August 9.

Capacity available

Bidders can compete for 50-600 MW in 10 MW multiples. Individual projects must have a minimum capacity of 50 MW a maximum of 300 MW.

Developers can establish cumulative project capacity at one location or divide projects into blocks at multiple sites but single-project blocks must be in the same state. Projects can consist of any number of blocks, each in capacity multiples of 10 MW, with the minimum capacity of each block 20 MW.

The projects must be designed for inter-connection with inter state transmission system substations at a voltage level of at least 220 kV. The minimum voltage for a single block will be 33 kV. A single transmission line must connect the pooling substation to the delivery point, which will be the metering point.