SECI wind energy auction winners with a capacity of 1.2 GW

Juniper Green Energy, Asurarai Renewables (UPC Renewables), AMPIN Energy, Adyant Enersol (Datta Infra), JSW Energy and Avaada Energy announced as winners of the Solar Energy Corporation auction in India development of hybrid wind-solar power plant projects with a capacity of 1,200 MW connected to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) (Tranche VIII). Juniper quoted a lowest rate of £3.43 (~$0.0411)/kWh to acquire 150 MW. UPC, JSW, AMPIN and Datta quoted a rate of £3.45 (~$0.0413)/kWh to procure 300 MW, 300 MW, 150 MW and 60 MW, respectively. Avaada procured 240MW of the 600MW quoted capacity at a tariff of £3.46 (~$0.0414)/kWh under the bucket filling method.

India achieved 1.8 GW of solar open access capacity in Q1 2024, doubling from 909.3 MW in Q4, according to Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report Q1 2024 2023 The number of installations increased by 152% year-on-year. The green energy open access rules implemented by the Ministry of Energy have enabled consumers with a total contracted demand or approved load of 100 kW or more to use green energy under open access. The previous limit was 1 MW. “Lowering the limit to 100 kW has created new opportunities, especially for small enterprises wanting to purchase renewable energy. “Consumers are increasingly moving to clean energy for a variety of reasons, including sustainability practices, cost reduction, and meeting investor and buyer demands, with an emphasis on greener supply chains, particularly for export markets,” noted the prominent open access developer.

In response to the petition, the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has adopted rates of ₹3.42 (~$0.04)/kWh for Alfanar Power’s 50 MW wind farms and ₹3.44 (~ $0.041)/kWh for 90 MW wind power projects of Juniper Green Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL). The commission also allowed GUVNL to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the project contractors. GUVNL has initiated the tender process for 500 MW wind power with an additional greenshoe option of up to 500 MW. Four bidders offered a total capacity of 205 MW. The e-reverse auction was conducted for a capacity of 164 MW. Two bidders were selected: Alfanar Power for 50 MW and Juniper Green Energy for 90 MW. Bids from RIH Renewables and Solarcraft Power India were not eligible.

GERC recently finalized tariffs for three solar power projects in the state with a total capacity of 1,200 MW and authorized GUVNL to sign power purchase agreements with developers. SJVN Green Energy has a contract to supply 500 MW of solar energy at a price of GBP 2.54 ($0.0304)/kWh. SAEL Industries will provide 200 MW of solar power, with the option to provide an additional 200 MW if needed. The tariff rate for an initial 200 MW is GBP 2.55 ($0.0305)/kWh. The greenshoe battery capacity will ship at a price of £2.54 ($0.0304)/kWh. Coal India will supply 300 MW of solar power at a tariff of ₹2.55 ($0.0305)/kWh.

The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency has invited expressions of interest from consultants to conduct a detailed survey and prepare feasibility reports for grid-connected solar PV projects on government buildings. The last day for submitting offers is July 10, 2024. The offers will be opened on July 16. Bidders must deposit £12,980 (~$155) to cover bidding costs and processing fees. They must also post a bid security of £1 million (~$11,968). Successful bidders must provide 10% of the contract price as a bank guarantee for the performance of the contract within 20 days of the issuance of the award letter.

HPCL Renewable and Green has invited bids for a package of onshore and transmission EHV systems for the development of 600 MW ISTS-connected solar power projects in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The deadline for submitting offers is June 21, 2024. The offers will be opened on the same day. The scope of work includes the identification and development of the required land and the design, engineering, supply, construction, installation and commissioning of the LV transmission system up to the ISTS station. This does not include the pooling substation at the end of the solar project, but does include the construction of a 600 MW grid substation field.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has released the draft Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Conditions for Open Access to Green Energy) Rules, 2024. The Commission invited interested parties to submit comments on the project by July 2, 2024. These rules apply to open access to green energy requested by licensees, green energy producers and consumers with a contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more via one connection or many connections within the same electricity department. These regulations are intended to facilitate non-discriminatory open access to green energy for the use of an intrastate transmission system and/or distribution system of licensees within a state, including an intrastate transmission or distribution system related to the interstate transmission of electricity.