SECI Issues RfS for 1200 MW ISTS-Connected Wind Projects in India 

SECI has issued the RfS for the selection of developers for setting up of 1200 MW ISTS-connected wind power projects in India (Tranche-X).

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for the selection of wind power developers (WPD) for setting up of 1200 MW ISTS-connected wind power projects in India (Tranche-X).

SECI wishes to invite proposals for setting up of the ISTS-connected wind power projects in India, on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis for an aggregate capacity of 1200 MW. The nodal agency shall enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders selected based on this RfS for purchase of wind power for a period of 25 years based on the terms, conditions and provisions of the RfS and PPA.

Power procured by SECI from the above projects has been provisioned to be sold to the Discoms of Rajasthan, which shall be the buying entities under this RfS. The Buying Entities shall procure power under the RfS through Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (RUVNL), which is the authorised representative for signing the Power Sale Agreement, on behalf of the Rajasthan Discoms.

SECI shall be an intermediary nodal agency for procurement of power supplied by the WPD and sale of such power to the buying entity(ies) entirely on a back-to-back basis based on due performance by the WPD as well as the buying entity(ies).

As per the RfS, already commissioned projects cannot be considered under this RfS. Projects under construction or projects which are not yet commissioned will, however, be considered, in case these projects are not already accepted under any other Central or State Schemes. Enhancement and augmentation of already commissioned Projects, irrespective of their capacities will not be considered as eligible projects under this scheme.

The scope of work for the selected bidders will include the primary objective of supplying wind power to SECI, as per the provisions of the RfS and PPA. Further, identification of land, installation and ownership of the Project, along with obtaining connectivity, LTA and necessary approvals and interconnection with the ISTS network for supply of power to SECI, will be under the scope of the WPD. 

It has been clarified that a single bidder may submit a single bid offering a minimum quantum of contracted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum quantum of 1200 MW, in the prescribed formats. The Projects shall be quoted in multiples of 10 MW only.

More importantly, it has been stated that although the selection of the location of the Projects is under the scope of the Bidder/WPD, however, in order to align project installation with augmentation of the necessary transmission and evacuation infrastructure, choice of the delivery point(s) for the project(s) shall be limited to the following list of substations: 

1. 400/230 kV in Karur, Tamil Nadu. 

2. 400/220 kV in Gadag, Karnataka. 

3. 440/220 kV in Koppal, Karnataka. 

4. 400/220 kV in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh. 

5. 400/220 kV in Kallam, Maharashtra. 

6. 400/230 kV in Tuticorin (Tuticorin-II), Tamil Nadu.

The last date of bid submission is February 5, 2021, and a pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for January 8, 2021, to address the concerns raised by the prospective bidders. All bidders selected by SECI based on this RfS will be required to submit a Performance Guarantee for Rs 12 Lakh/ MW/Project.

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