India opens bidding for country's first-ever wind-solar hybrid power project

It has an aggregate capacity of 2.5GW.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has launched the bidding for an unprecedented large-scale wind-solar hybrid power project, with a total capacity of 2500 MW.

The project is in line with the Indian government’s new Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, which aims to reduce variability in renewable power generation and achieve better grid stability through the efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land.

Official documents released by the SECI on 22 June showed that the minimum bid capacity shall be 200 MW, with maximum bid capacity set at 500 MW. A hybrid power developer should set up at least 50 MW of project capacity at each project site.

The project is on a build-operate-own basis. SECI shall enter into a power purchase agreement with each developer for a fixed period of 25 years. The maximum tariff payable to each developer is fixed at Rs. 2.93/kWh for the entire term of 25 years.

The bidders will be free to avail fiscal incentives such as Accelerated Depreciation, Concessional Custom Duties, Tax Holidays, and other schemes which are available for such projects under prevailing laws and conditions.

Prospective bidders interested to participate in the project are required to submit their proposals along with a non-refundable processing fee. as mentioned in the Bid Information Sheet. Selection will be carried out through e-bidding followed by an e-Reverse Auction process.