750MW of India solar PV projects to be tendered by SECI

The grid-connected projects will be located in Rajasthan, India.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a request for selection (RfS) for 750MW (Tranche-II) of grid-connected solar PV projects in Rajasthan, India, an announcement revealed.

Solar power developers (SPDs) selected by SECI based on this RfS will set up solar PV projects on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis in accordance with the provisions of this RfS document and standard Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The scope of work includes acquiring the land, developing the project, connectivity, and long-term open access.

“The plant should be designed for interconnection with the nearest substation of STU/CTU/any other transmission utility at the voltage level of 33kV or above,” the agency said, adding that the maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

The projects to be selected shall be minimum individual capacities of 10MW, and shall be set up in multiples of 10MW, with a cumulative capacity of 750MW to be set up under the RfS. Only commercially established and operational technologies can be used, to minimize the technology risk and to achieve the timely commissioning of the projects, SECI added.

SECI will enter into a PPA with the successful bidder selected based on the RfS for purchase of Solar Power for a period of 25 years based on the terms, conditions and provisions of the RfS. The maximum tariff payable to the project developer is fixed at $0.042 (INR 2.93)/ kWh for 25 years.

The projects must achieve financial closure within 12 months from the effective date of the PPA. The scheduled commissioning date for the full capacity of the project will be 18 months from the date of the PPA.

A single stage two envelope bidding procedure will be adopted and will be conducted through the global competitive bidding procedures as per the provisions of the Instructions to Bidders (ITB).