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Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for selecting wind power developers to set up 400 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind power projects in India. This is under SECI’s Tranche-XVIII tender, which will be conducted through tariff-based competitive bidding.
The tender process follows a single-stage, two-envelope bidding system, and both the online and offline bid submissions must adhere to the deadlines will be 15th April 2025. Additionally, the date and time for the e-reverse auction (e-RA) will be communicated later through email to eligible bidders.
Interested bidders are required to pay a non-refundable document fee of ₹50,000 plus applicable GST. Additionally, a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 per MW plus GST must be paid, subject to a maximum cap of ₹20,00,000 plus GST for the quoted capacity.
As part of the bidding process, an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹12,98,000 per MW per project must be submitted in the form of a bank guarantee along with the response to the RfS. This EMD should remain valid for 12 months from the last date of bid submission. In the case of multiple projects, the EMD amount must be calculated accordingly based on the total capacity offered by the bidder.
For successful bidders, a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹32,45,000 per MW per project must be provided before signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PBG needs to remain valid until 12 months after the Scheduled Commencement of Supply Date (SCSD) of the project. The PPA with SECI will cover 25 years for power purchase from the selected wind projects.
The minimum capacity that can be quoted by a bidder is 50 MW, while the maximum is 200 MW. The projects under this tender should have a minimum individual project size of 10 MW for those connected to intra-state transmission and a minimum of 50 MW for inter-state transmission. The project locations are to be chosen by the developers at their own discretion and cost, and they must comply with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) regulations for grid connectivity and other relevant guidelines.
SECI will enter into a PPA with the selected bidders and sell the procured wind power to different buying entities on a back-to-back basis. The developers will be responsible for identifying land, acquiring grid connectivity, obtaining necessary approvals, and establishing the required transmission network up to the interconnection point.
The scheduled commencement of supply date for these projects is set at 24 months from the effective date of the PPA. There is also a provision for penalties and contract reduction in case of delays beyond the specified timelines.
This initiative aligns with India’s target of integrating renewable energy into its power system, aiming to increase wind power capacity and contribute to the country’s clean energy goals.
