SECI Launches ISTS-XVI Tender for 1,200 MW ISTS-Connected Solar Power Projects in India

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) document for the selection of solar power developers to set up 1200 MW of ISTS-connected Solar PV Power Projects in India. This initiative is part of SECI-ISTS-XVI, which aims to develop solar power projects through a tariff-based competitive bidding process.

Under this RfS, solar power developers (SPDs) are required to set up the ISTS-connected solar PV power projects, including the necessary transmission network up to the interconnection or delivery point, at their own expense. The primary objective is to supply solar power to SECI. The developers are responsible for identifying suitable land, installing and owning the project, obtaining connectivity, and securing all necessary approvals. The projects must be connected to the ISTS network or, if applicable, to the State Transmission Utility (STU) or intra-state Transmission System (InSTS) network for power supply to SECI. If the STU interconnection is used, the project must be installed in the same state where the buying entity is located.

The bidding process includes a document sale end date of July 12, 2024, and the bid submission end date is also July 12, 2024. The bid opening date is scheduled for July 18, 2024. Interested bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of  ₹9,42,000 (approximately Nine Lakhs and Forty-Two Thousand Indian Rupees) per MW per project in the form of a bank guarantee along with their response to the RfS.

The selected projects will utilize solar photovoltaic technology, but the selection process itself is technology-agnostic. A total capacity of 1,200 MW will be allocated through e-bidding, followed by an e-Reverse Auction (e-RA). Bidders, including their parent companies, affiliates, ultimate parents, or any group companies, must submit a single bid with a minimum contracted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 600 MW, in prescribed formats. Project locations are at the discretion of the bidder or SPD, considering the provisions of Clause 7 of the RfS.