The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for 750 MW (Tranche-II) of grid-connected solar PV projects in Rajasthan.

A single bidder must bid for a minimum of 10 MW and a maximum of 750 MW. The projects will be developed on build own operate (BOO) basis, and the scope of work includes acquiring the land, developing the project, connectivity, and long-term open access. 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.

The projects should be designed for interconnection with the nearest substation at a voltage level of 33 kV or above. The maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

SECI will enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful solar project developers for 25 years. It has set the upper ceiling tariff at ₹ 2.68 (~$0.039) / kWh. In August 2018, SECI had tendered the 750 MW in Rajasthan with the same upper tariff limit.

In that auction, four solar project developers – Fortum Solar (250 MW), ACME Solar (250 MW), Sitara Solar (100 MW), and Palimarwar Solar (40 MW), had quoted the lowest tariff of ₹2.48 (~$0.0349)/kWh in the auction held by SECI for 750 MW of solar power projects.

Apart from them, ReNew Power had quoted a tariff of ₹2.49 (~$0.349)/kWh to develop 360 MW but was awarded only 110 MW due to the bucket-filling method applied to the awarded capacities in reverse auctions.

 Recently, the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) issued the fifth amendment to its regulations for renewable energy obligation.

Rajasthan has so far installed approximately 3.6 GW of large-scale solar installations, according to Mercom India Project Tracker.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer