SECI receives 551 MW in bids for 1.8 GW&nbsp;wind tender

A Tranche VIII tender for 1.8 GW of inter-state transmission system-connected wind power projects, launched by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), has been undersubscribed by over 1.2 GW. Some stakeholders cited the tariff cap of INR2.85/kWh ($0.041) for the lack of interest. In April, SECI's 1.2 GW tender under Tranche VII suffered a similar outcome, with only half the capacity awarded with a cap of INR2.83/kWh. However, a preceding Tranche VI auction was oversubscribed by 1.2 GW, with the lowest tariff quoted at INR2.82. 

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)’s tender to set up 1,800 MW of inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind power projects under tranche VIII has been undersubscribed by 1,249 MW.

According to a market source, “CLP India has submitted its bid to develop 250.8 MW of wind power projects and Avikaran Energy (Enel Green) has submitted the bid to set up 300 MW of wind power projects.”

When contacted, a SECI official confirmed that the tender had been undersubscribed but chose not to comment on the bidders.

SECI had tendered the capacity in June 2019 with a tariff cap of ₹2.85 (~$0.041)/kWh. The Tranche-VIII tender has suffered the same fate as the Tranche-VII wind tender by SECI.

In April 2019, Mercom reported that SECI’s tender for 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected wind power projects on a pan-India basis under tranche-VII was undersubscribed by 50%. SECI had tendered the capacity in February 2019. For this tender, SECI had set a tariff cap of ₹2.83 (~$0.041)/kWh.