India tenders 700 MW of solar capacity for C&I offtake

Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has invited bids to develop 700 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar PV projects under the build-own-operate (BOO) model, with the power intended for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumption in Odisha.

Under the request for selection (RfS), SECI will sign 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with successful bidders. The electricity procured from the projects is planned to be sold to an export-oriented unit (EOU) of a C&I buying entity located in Odisha.

SECI will act as an intermediary nodal agency, procuring electricity from selected solar power developers and selling it to the buying entity on a back-to-back basis. The details of buying entities will be intimated at a later date, according to the tender documents.

The tender requires the solar projects to be established within special economic zones (SEZs) or areas designated as export oriented units (EOUs) in India, to supply solar power to the buying entity having EOU in Odisha. The arrangement is intended to allow the projects to qualify for an exemption from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) requirements in accordance with a May 2024 circular issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), as amended from time to time.

Developers will be responsible for land acquisition, project development, as well as obtaining grid connectivity and constructing the transmission network up to the interconnection or delivery point.

Selection of solar PV projects for a total capacity of 700 MW will be carried out through e-bidding followed by e-Reverse auction process. Bids can be made for a minimum contracted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum quantum of 700 MW. A single project can be set up at multiple locations with different delivery points.