NTPC Renewable Energy, Sembcorp Green Infra, Solarcraft Power India 8 (Blupine Energy), Hero Solar Energy, and Reliance Power have been awarded projects under the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) Tranche XVII auction to develop 2,000 MW of ISTS-connected solar power projects, integrated with 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh energy storage systems. The projects are designed to ensure a guaranteed peak power supply of four hours daily. The tender for the project was floated in August 2024.
NTPC Renewable Energy and Hero Solar Energy secured 500 MW and 270 MW, respectively, at a tariff of Rs 3.52 per kWh. Sembcorp Green Infra and Solarcraft Power India 8 each won 150 MW at a tariff of Rs 3.52 per kWh. Reliance Power won 930 MW at a tariff of Rs 3.53 per kWh.
The successful bidders are required to establish ISTS-connected solar projects, including the necessary transmission network up to the interconnection or delivery point. Developers must handle land identification, project installation, ownership, and securing approvals for connectivity with the ISTS, State Transmission Utility (STU), or intra-state transmission system (InSTS) to deliver power to SECI. For projects located within the same state as the buying entity, developers may connect to the STU or InSTS substation. Project designs must comply with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s interconnection regulations for ISTS or InSTS.
Energy storage systems must be installed with a minimum capacity of 0.5 MW/2 MWh for every 1 MW of solar project capacity. Additionally, only solar modules listed in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers are permitted for these projects.
