The wind tariff in India touched
lowest level of Rs.2.64 per kWh in the second wind auction conducted by the
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on behalf of Ministry of New &
Renewable Energy, Government of India yesterday. The tariff discovered is much
lower than first wind auction concluded at Rs. 3.46 per kWh in February this
year. With improving technology and reducing tariffs Ministry is not only
confident of achieving the target of 175 GW by 2022 but exceeding it.
Against the 1000 MW
capacity SECI received 12 number of bids totalling to 2892 MW capacity of which
9 bids with a cumulative capacity of 2142 MW were shortlisted for e-reverse
auction. The auction started at 3 pm on 4 October and continued for over 13
hours. Five winners selected for total 1000 MW capacity wind power projects include
ReNew Power for 250 MW projects quoting Rs.2.64/kWh, Orange Sironj for 200 MW
projects quoting Rs.2.64/kWh, Inox Wind for 250 MW projects quoting Rs.2.65/kWh,
Green Infra for 250 MW projects quoting Rs.2.65/kWh and Adani Green for 50 MW
projects quoting Rs.2.65/kWh. These wind projects are to be commissioned within
18 months from the date of issue of Letter of Award by SECI to successful
bidders.
As per provisions of
scheme additional 100 MW capacity can be allotted to Central Public Sector
Enterprises (CPSEs) willing to undertake development of inter-state
transmission system (ISTS) connected wind power projects at the lowest bid
tariff of Rs.2.64/kWh, for which they have to submit their proposal within 30
days from the declaration of results of e-reverse auction.
The power from these
projects will be supplied to obligated entities for fulfilment of their
non-solar RPO obligation at pooled price of capacity selected.
BACKGROUND
After success of first
wind auction resulted in discovery of record low wind tariff of Rs. 3.46 per
kWh in February 2017, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy sanctioned second
wind auction Scheme for setting up of 1000 MW ISTS connected Wind Power Projects
on 4 May 2017. SECI issued bids on 30 May 2017 and bids were closed on 14 July
2017. Auction was earlier scheduled for 19 September 2017 and the same was
postponed to 4 October 2017 as CERC order on the issue of
grid connectivity that is being faced by the successful bidders in the first
wind auction was awaited.
RM/VM/AS