The Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), a joint venture formed between the Indian Railways and RITES Limited, has invited bids to set up 140 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)/intrastate transmission system (InSTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid projects.

The wind-solar hybrid projects will be set up under the nodal zonal railways of Gujarat (western railways), Karnataka (southwestern railways), and Madhya Pradesh (western central railways).

The bid submission deadline is July 23, 2019. The REMCL has set ₹2.70 (~$0.039)/kWh as the upper ceiling tariff for this tender. The projects can be developed anywhere across India, and the zonal railways will enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders.

Of the total capacity tendered, 55 MW hybrid capacity will be set up in the state of Gujarat. Of this capacity, 14 MW will be solar while 41 MW will be wind energy projects. In Karnataka, 15 MW of hybrid capacity will be developed comprising 3 MW solar and 12 MW wind energy projects.

In Madhya Pradesh, 70 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity will be set up comprising 18 MW of solar capacity and 52 MW of wind projects.

According to REMCL, a single bidder must bid for the entire capacity for any of the three zones. Moreover, if an interested bidder wants, they can bid for the entire capacity tendered.

The developers will set up wind-solar hybrid power projects including the transmission network up to the delivery point at its own cost.

All approvals, permits, and clearances required for setting up of the project (along with the connectivity and long-term open access), including those required from the state government and local bodies will be the responsibility of the developer.

The cost of bay construction at the CTU substation will also be borne by the developer. The developers must strictly adhere to the specific wind-solar hybrid power policy of the state where the project is located.

Mercom has previously reported about how the Indian Railways is continuing its efforts to add solar capacity for its electricity requirements. Indian Railway is the single largest consumer of electricity and plans to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.

Recently, the Northern Railways invited developers for setting up of 4.715 MW of rooftop installations. This tender consisted of 133 installations of 10 kW (1.33 MW) and 677 installations of 5 kW (3.385 MW), totaling 4.715 MW, which was to be installed on D and E category railway stations.

In March 2019, REMCL tendered 60.17 MW of rooftop solar PV capacity to be set up on the rooftops of offices, buildings, and railway establishments across the zonal railways in India. In January 2019, REMCL had invited bids for setting up of 2 MW of solar projects along the Delhi-Ambala railway track.