The Solar Energy Corporation of India has released the list of the 750 MW grid connected solar Photo Voltaic projects selected under batch I of the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
In October last year, the SECI, which is the agency designated for implementing the grid connected solar power projects, issued the Request for Selection document in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The bidding process for selection of projects under batch I of the second phase of JNNSM was divided into two parts – Part A (375 MW) and Part B (375 MW). In case of Part A, the conditions of Domestic Content Requirement were applicable. Under DCR, the solar cells and modules to be used in the solar power plant should have been made in India. Part B, on the other hand, was kept open and the conditions of DCR did not apply. Bidders were allowed to apply for projects under either of the two parts or both. The total capacity of solar PV projects that could be allocated to a company including its parent, affiliate or ultimate parent or any group company had been capped at 100 MW, out of the total capacity of 750 MW.
The bidders submitted 36 projects with capacity of 700 MW under the part to which the conditions of DCR applied and 86 projects with capacity of 1,470 MW under the open part. The number of projects submitted under the two parts combined totaled 122 aggregating 2,170 MW.
The bids were opened in January this year.
Following techno-commercial examination of the bids received, a total of 22 projects for allocation of 375 MW capacity were selected under the DCR category (Part A). For all the projects, except one, the project capacity allocated was the same as that sought by the bidder. In case of the project submitted by Welspun Renewables Energy Limited, the capacity allocated was 5 MW instead of the 20 MW as per the bid submitted. The bidder had sought VGF of Rs. 245,60,000 per MW.
Details provided by the SECI regarding the selected projects under the DCR category reveal that the capacity allocation ranged between 5 MW and 50 MW. The VGF sought by the bidders of the selected projects varied between Rs. 135,00,000 per MW and Rs. 245,60,000 per MW. The highest capacity allocation of 50 MW was made to the project submitted by Waaree Energies Private Limited. The bidder had sought VGF of 235,00,000 per MW.
Under the open category (Part B), a total of 25 projects were selected for allocation of 375 MW capacity. Again, for all the projects, except one, the capacity allocated was the same as that sought by the bidder. The project submitted by Sunil Hitech Engineers Limited was allocated 5 MW capacity instead of the 10 MW as per the bid submitted. The bidder had sought VGF of Rs. 135,00,000 per MW.
The capacity allocated to the projects under the open category ranged between 5 MW and 40 MW. The VGF sought by the bidders of the selected projects varied between Rs. 17,50,000 per MW and Rs. 135,00,000 per MW. The highest capacity allocation of 40 MW was made to the project submitted by Azure Power India Private Limited. The bidder had sought VGF of Rs. 130,00,000 per MW.
Earlier, the MNRE decided to implement batch I of the second phase of JNNSM under a VGF scheme. As per the scheme, the successful solar power developers, based on their bids, would be provided VGF equivalent to 30 percent of the project cost or Rs. 2.5 crore per MW, whichever was lower. The developer’s own equity would have to be at least Rs.1.5 crore per MW. The SECI would enter into Power Purchase Agreement with the successful solar power developers for a period of 25 years from the date of commissioning. The tariff to be paid to the developers had been fixed at Rs.5.45 per kWh. Where benefit of accelerated depreciation was availed for a project, the tariff would get reduced to Rs.4.75 per kWh. The tariffs would remain fixed for the entire period of PPA.
