Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited’s (GUVNL) has issued a request for proposals to purchase power from 500 MW grid-connected solar power projects, without energy storage. The tender allows for capacity expansion under the greenshoe option by additional 500 MW. The projects will be set up across India.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders are required to submit earnest money deposit equaling Rs 928,000 per MW of the quoted capacity. After receiving the letter of intent, the developer is required to furnish a performance bank guarantee equaling Rs 2.32 million per MW of the allotted capacity. The bid submission deadline is April 22, 2024.
Projects that are either completed or in the process of being completed, without a long-term PPA with any agency, and those that sell hybrid power on a merchant or short-term basis will also be given consideration for the tender. These projects must not have been approved under state or central programmes and should not be obliged to distribute power to any other recipients. Solar developments can be set up within current wind farms that are connected to the grid, given there is additional capacity available for integrating renewable energy at the relevant Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation or central transmission utility substations. Bidders are required to provide a minimum power capacity of 50 MW for projects linked to interstate connections and 10 MW for projects linked to the state transmission utility. Furthermore, GUVNL has mandated the use of indigenously manufactured solar modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.
Recently, in March 2024, results were announced for GUVNL’s auction to develop pilot projects of 250 MW/ 500 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems projects, phase II. The projects will be set up in Gujarat. Gensol Engineering has won 70 MW/ 140 MWh by quoting Rs 448,996 per MW per month. While, Indigrid 2 has won 180 MW/ 360 MWh by quoting Rs 449,996 per MW per month.
