The first batch of auctioned interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind energy projects have been commissioned in India. These projects were tendered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) in November 2016 under Tranche I.

Ostro Kutch Wind Private Limited has commissioned partial capacity of 126 MW, located in Bhuj, Gujarat.

This part of the awarded capacity has been commissioned ahead of schedule. The energy generated from this project will be purchased by Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, per a Government of India, release.

After conclusion of first-ever reverse auction for wind projects, power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind projects aggregating 1,049.9 MW were signed between PTC India, a power trading solution provider, and developers who won bids to develop projects.

PPAs were signed between PTC India and Mytrah for 250 MW, Green Infra for 249.9 MW, Inox Wind for 250 MW, Ostro Energy for 250 MW, and Adani Green Energy for 50 MW. As part of the agreement, DISCOMs of Uttar Pradesh will buy 449.9 MW, Bihar will buy 200 MW, Jharkhand will buy 200 MW, Delhi will buy 100 MW, Assam will buy 50 MW, and Odisha will buy 50 MW of wind power to meet their non-solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

According to Mercom’s India Wind Project Tracker, Mytrah, Green Infra, Inox Wind and Ostro Energy each won 250 MW projects quoting ₹3.46 (~$0.051)/unit, and Adani Green Energy won 50 MW project quoting ₹3.46 (~$0.051)/unit.

The first auction also signified a major shift from the earlier regime of state-specific feed-in-Tariff (FiT) model to a pan-India, market-driven mechanism. Beginning with this tender, SECI has brought out five tenders for wind power projects of cumulative capacity of 7,250 MW, of which 6,050 MW capacity has been awarded.

Sumant Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director, ReNew Power, said, “ReNew Power is India’s first renewable energy company to commission the first wind power project under ISTS program of SECI Tranche I wind auction. This is indeed a memorable moment for all of us as this milestone was achieved well ahead of commissioning date and I want to thank all the stakeholders who supported us.”

Ostro Kutch Wind Pvt. Ltd, now a part of ReNew Power, awarded this 250MW turnkey project to Vestas Wind Technology India. Under the contract Vestas will be responsible for delivery, installation and commissioning of 125 V110-2.0 MW turbines, as well as the project’s BoP works (Civil & Electrical). The turbines will be serviced by Vestas via a 10-year service contract.

“Here at Vestas, we are very proud to be able to deliver phase 1 of this significant 250 MW Ostro Kutch project ahead of schedule given the challenges involved. This project milestone underlines the broad range of capabilities and experience we have, in turnkey projects across the globe” said Danny Nielsen, Chief Operating Officer of Vestas Asia Pacific.

Updated with comments and quotes from Renew Power.

Saumy is a senior staff reporter with MercomIndia.com covering business and energy news since 2016. Prior to Mercom, Saumy was a copy editor at Thomson Reuters. Saumy earned his Bachelors Degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University. More articles from Saumy Prateek.