SECI Gets Approval to Buy Power From 840 MW Wind-Solar Projects

SECI has received CERC approval for adoption of tariff that was discovered for 840 MW wind-solar hybrid power projects under the Tranche-I tender

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has seen its petition, for approval of tariff discovered through a competitive bidding process for 840 MW wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-I) connected to the Inter-State Transmission System, cleared by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

SECI in its petition had made the following prayer to the commission: Adopt the tariff discovered in the competitive bid process for the individual power projects plus the trading margin of Rs.0.07/kWh to be recovered from the Buying Utilities/ Distribution Licensees on the terms and conditions contained in the PPAs.

SECI had submitted that it issued Request for Selection (RfS) along with draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Power Sale Agreement (PSA) documents for setting up of 2500 MW ISTS connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Projects (Tranche-I) as per the related guidelines on June 22, 2019. Subsequently, the capacity under the RfS was revised to 1200 MW.

The Petitioner then submitted that e-Reverse auction of the two technically qualified bidders (SBE Energy Ten (P) Limited and Mahoba Solar) was conducted on December 5, 2020, on TCIL’s portal and the final tariff was arrived. The Petitioner has stated that the hybrid projects are scheduled to be commissioned in the year 2021-22 and the Projects would help the Buying Utilities/Distribution Licensees in meeting their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) requirements apart from providing power at very economical rates.

SECI had further submitted that it has agreed to sell the entire 840 MW (i.e. cumulative awarded capacity/accepted cumulative capacity) of hybrid power to the Buying Utilities/Discoms at the rate of Rs. 2.6972/kWh plus the trading margin of Rs.0.07/kWh upon the commissioning of the above capacity. According to the Petitioner, since the pooled tariff discovered through the competitive bid process is even lesser than the procurement cost of conventional power, it would be beneficial for the Buying Utilities/Distribution Licensees and the consumers at large.

Further, based on the request of the Buying Utilities/Discoms, SECI had entered into PSAs for 400 MW capacity with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited and 440 MW power with Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC).

Based on findings, the commission stated that In the light of the above discussion, in terms of Section 63 of the Act, the Commission adopts the following tariff for the Projects as agreed to by the successful bidders subject to signing of the PPAs with the developers, which shall remain valid throughout the period covered in the PSAs and PPAs.

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