SECI Seeks Trading Partner to Sell Renewable Energy

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Avantus Closes $1 Billion Credit Facility to Expand Project Portfolio

Tandem PV Acquires nexTC to Bring Thin-Film Coating Technology In-House

Base Power Raises $1 Billion in Series D Funding Round

TotalEnergies Acquires Shell’s 4 GW European Renewables Portfolio

CERC Rescinds Revocation of Renewable Projects’ Grid Connectivity

Month in a Minute: Top Headlines from the Indian Renewable Sector in July 2026

Solar Module Capacity Under ALMM Grows to 215.5 GW

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					</table>BN Hybrid Power-1 (<a href="https://brightnightpower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BrightNight</a>), Hero Solar Energy (<a href="https://www.herofutureenergies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hero Future Energies</a>), Solarcraft Power India 20 (<a href="https://blupineenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BluPine Energy</a>), <a href="https://www.junipergreenenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juniper Green Energy</a>, ReNew Solar Power (<a href="https://www.renew.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ReNew</a>), and <a href="https://www.acme.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACME Cleantech Solutions</a> were declared winners in NHPC’s auction to supply 1.5 GW of firm and dispatchable renewable power (Peak Power Supply) from inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected projects coupled with energy storage systems anywhere in India.
BN Hybrid Power-1 quoted the lowest tariff of ₹4.55 (~$0.0549)/kWh to win 120 MW, while Hero Solar and Solarcraft quoted ₹4.63 (~$0.0558)/kWh to win 100 MW and 50 MW, respectively.
Juniper and ReNew quoted ₹4.64 (~$0.0560)/kWh to win 200 MW and 250 MW. ACME won 680 MW out of the 750 MW quoted capacity at ₹4.64 (~$0.0560)/kWh.
Bids from TEQ Green Power IX (<a href="https://www.o2power.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">O2 Power</a>) of ₹4.74 (~$0.0572)/kWh for 150 MW and <a href="https://www.tatapowerrenewables.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tata Power Renewable Energy</a> of ₹4.95 (~$0.0597)/kWh for 100 MW did not qualify.
A total of 1,400 MW capacity was awarded out of 1,500 MW.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63644" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHPC-1.5-GW-FDRE-Auction-results.png" alt="NHPC 1.5 GW FDRE Auction results" width="626" height="345" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHPC-1.5-GW-FDRE-Auction-results.png 626w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHPC-1.5-GW-FDRE-Auction-results-300x165.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHPC-1.5-GW-FDRE-Auction-results-624x344.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHPC-1.5-GW-FDRE-Auction-results-600x331.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px" />
NHPC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/nhpc-invites-bids-for-renewable-ists-connected-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> the tender for the projects in October 2023.
Under the tender, bidders were given the flexibility to choose any location within India for their projects. They can identify and acquire or lease the land of their choice for the project without specific restrictions on geographical location within the country.
The selected project developers must utilize well-established and operational technologies that are commercially viable. Making use of such established technologies is aimed at minimizing technology-related risks and ensuring the successful commissioning of the projects.
Projects that are already commissioned or are in the process of construction and have untied capacity are allowed under this tender. Projects with already set-up capacity or spare untied capacity that is not under any power supply agreement and is available for augmenting the proposed renewable power in the tender can also qualify.
The projects under this tender will not be eligible for any Central Financial Assistance.
NHPC recently <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/juniper-o2-avaada-win-nhpcs-hybrid-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> the winners of its auction to set up 1,500 MW of ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects anywhere in India.
Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> for timely updates on all solar tenders and auctions issued by various agencies in India.

BrightNight, ReNew, ACME Among Winners of NHPC’s 1.5 GW Renewables Auction

<a href="https://peakpowerenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peak Power</a>, an energy storage software and services provider, announced the successful closing of $35 million in financing to ramp up its expansion into the US, hire for critical roles, and continue to develop its software capabilities.
The funding round was led by an affiliated fund of Greenbacker Capital Management, which provides growth capital and best-in-class guidance for growth-stage clean energy companies. Prior investors providing additional investment include Osmington, BDC Capital, Export Development Capital, Hatch, Sensata Technologies, and The Atmospheric Fund.
The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provided for in the Inflation Reduction Act accelerate battery energy storage adoption in the U.S. The ITC reduces the cost of installing, owning, and operating battery energy storage systems, making them more attractive for investment.
“Battery storage is a linchpin technology for decarbonizing the electricity sector. This funding will allow us to help even more businesses reach their economic and environmental targets,” said Derek Lim Soo, Peak Power CEO and Co-Founder. “Tailwinds in the US energy storage market have never been stronger. The demand for clean distributed energy resources is growing, government policies are removing barriers for investment, and technology is becoming more cost-effective.”
Alexa Capital, a leading financial advisory firm exclusively focused on the energy transition, served as a financial advisor to Peak Power.
According to Mercom’s Q1 2023 Funding and M&amp;A <a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/product/q1-2023-funding-ma-report-storage-grid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Report</a> for Storage and Smart Grid, VC funding raised by Energy Storage companies in Q1 2023 came to $1.1 billion in 19 deals, an 8% decrease year-over-year (YoY) compared to $1.2 billion in 22 deals in Q1 2022. Quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) funding was 35% lower compared to $1.7 billion in 22 deals in Q4 2022.
Energy Dome, a provider of long-duration energy storage solutions, <a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/energy-dome-gets-44-million-in-funding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently</a> raised €40 million (~$44 million) in a Series B funding round led by Eni Next and Neva SGR. The investment will help Energy Dome scale up its CO2 Battery technology, which uses carbon dioxide to store renewable energy on the grid.

Peak Power Secures $35 Million for its Energy Storage Expansion in the US

<a href="https://peakpowerenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peak Power</a>, a provider of AI-powered clean energy optimization software for commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) facilities, announced a $200 million financing agreement with Madison Energy Investments (MEI), which finances, develops, owns, and operates distributed energy projects for C&amp;I and government facilities across the United States.
Peak Power, founded in 2015, develops software called Peak Synergy, with features including grid load visualization, peak prediction, battery storage optimization, and strategical EV charging and discharging to reduce operating expenses and coincident peak charges for grid-interactive buildings while increasing value for the portfolio and creating revenue streams. According to the company, its software is installed in more than 90 buildings and sites, with a total storage capacity of 128 MWh under contract or committed.
&#8220;At MEI, it&#8217;s abundantly clear that energy storage is a critical part of the energy transition,&#8221; said Richard Walsh, Managing Partner of Madison Energy Investments. &#8220;Therefore, the relationship with Peak Power is very synergistic. The ambitious and knowledgeable team at Peak Power has built a strong track record, so we are excited to support them as they continue to push the envelope to benefit the environment and its customers by enabling increased amounts of energy storage deployment.&#8221;
&#8220;We&#8217;re excited to partner with Madison Energy Investments, a team who shares our vision of a clean energy future,&#8221; said Derek Lim Soo, CEO of Peak Power. &#8220;The support from MEI is a valued vote of confidence in our software and deployment capabilities. MEI has made numerous clean energy ventures possible, and today, we&#8217;re excited to join this network of cleantech innovators.&#8221;
Total corporate funding in the <a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/product/annual-q4-2022-funding-ma-report-for-storage-grid-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy storage sector</a> was up 55%, with $26.4 billion in 2022 (highest in a year to date), compared to $17 billion in 2021.
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Peak Power Raises $200 Million in Financing from Madison Energy Investments

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					</table><a href="https://www.ayanapower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ayana Renewables</a> and <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/en/power-generation/renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC Renewable Energy</a> won the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (<a href="https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MSEDCL</a>) auction to procure 250 MW of flexible and schedulable power from grid-connected renewable energy projects with an energy storage facility on a long-term basis.
Ayana and NTPC won 150 MW and 100 MW, respectively, by quoting ₹9 (~$0.11)/kWh each.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-46193 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results.png" alt="MSEDCL 250 MW of Renewable with Energy Storage Project Auction Results" width="737" height="245" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results.png 737w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results-300x100.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results-650x216.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results-624x207.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MSEDCL-250-MW-of-Renewable-with-Energy-Storage-Project-Auction-Results-600x199.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 737px) 100vw, 737px" /></a>The tender was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bids-250-mw-renewable-power-energy-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> in August this year.
The projects selected under this tender will be eligible for two-part tariffs. These will be referred to as ‘non-solar generation hours tariff’ and ‘solar generation hours tariff.’
The energy supplied during the solar generation hours will be eligible for a tariff of ₹2.42 (~$0.030)/kWh.
The applicable tariff under the power purchase agreement (PPA) will comprise both solar generation hours and non-solar generation hours tariffs. It will be fixed for the entire term of the PPA.
During any contract year, in case the generation is above 10% of the declared annual capacity utilization factor, the successful bidders will be free to sell it to any other entity but the first right of refusal will vest with MSEDCL.
If the energy supply during non-solar generation hours exceeds the required amount of 600 MWh for each 100 MW of contracted capacity, and MSEDCL procures this excess power, the successful bidder will be paid energy charges at 75% of the tariff.
The energy will be dispatched through the scheduling of power in both solar and non-solar generation hours.
It is mandated to deliver the 600 MWh of energy per 100 MW contracted capacity of the project in AC terms daily during non-solar generation hours.
The successful bidders can choose the type and power rating of the energy storage system to be installed in addition to the solar, wind, or hydropower capacity.
The energy storage facility may include a battery energy storage system, pumped storage system, mechanical and chemical systems, or their combinations.
The project can be installed in multiple blocks of at least 50 MW each and connected to the grid. The project can be located anywhere in India.
The project’s energy generation and energy storage components may be multi-located and inject power through multiple interconnection points.
The responsibility of getting the interstate transmission system connectivity and transmission of power up to the interconnection point and energy accounting infrastructure will lay with the renewable project developer.
According to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a>, MSEDCL has floated tenders for 20.3 GW of solar power projects.
Mandated energy supply during non-solar generation hours corrected to 600 MWh from 300 MWh.

Ayana and NTPC Win MSEDCL’s 250 MW Renewables with Storage Tender

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					</table>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.merc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MERC</a>) approved the short-term power procurement by KRC distribution companies (DISCOMs) with 8 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) power from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023, and peak power of 4 MW, including renewable energy from a bagasse-based plant from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
KRC DISCOMs, namely Mindspace Business Parks, Gigaplex Estate, and KRC Infrastructure and Projects, are deemed DISCOMs in the special economic zones located at Kalwa and Airoli in Thane and Kharadi in Pune.
KRC DISCOMs had filed a petition requesting the Commission to adopt the average tariff of ₹6.35 (~$0.077)/kWh for the procurement of 8 MW of RTC power from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023, and the average tariff of ₹7.95 (~$0.096)/kWh for the procurement of 4 MW of peak power from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
The 4 MW peak power supplied by NSL Sugars is generated from a bagasse-based plant offering a renewable alternative. Renewable power generated from bagasse-based plants could be considered a potential alternative for DISCOMs considering short-term renewable energy procurement.
Background
In June last year, the Commission had accorded its approval for the procurement of up to 14 MW from Kreate Energy for one year from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, at the tariff of ₹3.18 (~$0.038)/kWh.
As this short-term power purchase agreement (PPA) expired on June 30, 2022, KRC DISCOMs initiated a competitive bidding process to procure short-term power in April 2022. KRC DISCOMs received only one bid at the discovered rate of ₹6.80 (~$0.082)/kWh, which was canceled considering less participation and the discovery of a higher tariff at the time. In the absence of PPAs, KRC DISCOMs started to procure power from the power exchanges and from the bilateral arrangement under the exchange-linked pricing mechanism from July 1, 2022.
KRC DISCOMs <a href="https://mercomindia.com/regulator-discoms-buy-green-power-exchange-linked-contracts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed</a> a petition before the Commission for approval of power purchase from the power exchanges at exchange-linked prices from July 2022 onwards till alternative arrangements are put in place.
Later, KRC DISCOMs carried out competitive bidding for combined short-term power procurement several times but did not get the expected response.
KRC DISCOMs initiated the fifth short-term competitive bidding process on August 9, 2022.
After the e-reverse auction and further negotiations, GMR Energy Trading offered a reduced average rate of ₹6.35 (~$0.077)/kWh for the procurement of 8 MW of RTC power, and PTC India reduced the average rate to ₹7.95 (~$0.096)/kWh for procurement of 4 MW of peak power.
The DISCOMs added that NSL Sugars were supplying the peak power, a bagasse-based plant offering renewable energy, which would be sufficient to meet the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) requirement of KRC DISCOMs from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
KRC DISCOMs stated that they had entered into individual PPAs on September 14, 2022, with GMR Energy Trading for the supply of base RTC power of 5 MW, 1.5 MW, and 1.5 MW at Maharashtra state periphery for the period from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023. Further, KRC DISCOMs had entered into individual PPAs for the supply of peak power of 2 MW, 1 MW, and 1 MW at the Maharashtra state periphery from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
KRC DISCOMs submitted that GMR Energy Trading and PTC India were Category 1 interstate trading licensees notified by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Commission’s analysis
The Commission noted that GMR Energy Trading had emerged as the lowest bidder with an average tariff rate of ₹6.35 (~$0.077)/kWh for the baseload of 8 MW from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023, and PTC India had emerged as the lowest bidder with an average tariff rate of ₹ 7.95 (~$0.096)/kWh for a peak load of 4 MW from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
The Commission said that although the peak power rate was on the higher side, the weighted average power purchase rate of RTC and Peak Power was estimated as ₹6.76 (~$0.082)/kWh from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, and ₹6.45 (~$0.078)/kWh for the RTC power from March 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023, which was in line with the tariffs recently adopted by the Commission.
Considering these points, the Commission stated that the rate discovered and negotiated afterward reflected the market trend. The Commission held that KRC DISCOMs had followed the procedure stipulated under the competitive bidding guidelines.
The state regulator observed that the PPAs signed with GMR Energy Trading and PTC India were in line with the standard bidding documents issued by the Ministry of Power. Accordingly, the Commission approved PPAs signed with GMR Energy Trading and PTC India at the rate discovered in the bidding process.
Subscribe to our real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure that you never miss any critical updates from the renewable energy industry.

DISCOM to Procure from Bagasse-Based Plant for Short-Term to Meet Peak Power Demand

India’s power supply deficit widened to 0.5% in the second quarter of 2020 (Q2 2020), up from 0.4% in the same period last year, according to the data from the Central Electricity Authority (<a href="http://www.cea.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CEA</a>).
The data showed that between April and June 2020, about 291.8 billion units (BU) of power was supplied against a demand of 293.29 BU, representing a deficit of 1,484 million units (MU) or 0.5%. In the same period last year, 346.21 BU of electricity was supplied against a demand of 347.77 BU, a shortfall of 1,563 MUs over the targeted energy requirement.
The quarter also saw a peak demand of 166.89 BU being met with a supply of 166.23 BU, a 664 MU (0.4%) shortfall. In Q2 2019, 182.53 BU was supplied against a peak demand of 183.67 BU of electricity, 1,140 MU lower than the required, resulting in a peak power supply deficit of 0.6%.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Region-wise-Power-Supply-Position-and-Peak-Demand.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20198" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Region-wise-Power-Supply-Position-and-Peak-Demand.png" alt="Region-wise Power Supply Position and Peak Demand" width="451" height="340" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Region-wise-Power-Supply-Position-and-Peak-Demand.png 451w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Region-wise-Power-Supply-Position-and-Peak-Demand-300x226.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /></a>
The southern and western regions were the only regions with no supply and peak supply deficit during the quarter.
The western region, which includes Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Goa, was able to supply all of the 86.73 BU of power demanded. It was also able to meet its peak demand of 51.15 BU entirely.
Similarly, the southern region, which includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep, also met its power demand of 79.11 BU with a negligible shortfall of 2 MU. The region met its peak demand requirements of 45.66 BU with a shortfall of only 13 MU.
Previously, India’s power supply deficit <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-power-supply-deficit-fy-2019-20/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stood</a> at 0.5% at the end of March for the financial year 2019-20, and the peak power deficit stood at 0.7%, according to the CEA’s data.
In December last year, in its load generation balance report (LGBR), the CEA had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-likely-have-energy-surplus-cea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">projected</a> that India’s anticipated power supply position for the year 2019-20 would reflect a surplus of 5.8% (80.38 billion units) and a peak surplus of 8.4% (15.9 GW). The CEA said the demand-supply gaps were not due to the non-availability of power, but because of transmission and distribution constraints. It noted that there were short-term surpluses in most of the states at some point in time and that this surplus power was sold to deficit states or neighboring countries through bilateral contracts, power exchanges, or traders.
Meanwhile, Mercom recently <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-power-generation-lowest-yoy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> that solar-generated electricity accounted for 50.1 BU in FY 2019-20, according to CEA data. This showed a growth of 28% year-over-year compared to the FY 2018-19, where the total solar energy generated was 39.3 BU. However, the YoY increase was the lowest in the past six years as solar installations have slowed down considerably.

India’s Power Supply Deficit Widens to 0.5% in Q2 2020 Amid COVID: CEA

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SECI</a>) has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) for setting up of 1,200 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected renewable projects with guaranteed peak power supply.
Since this is only a notice announcing the tender, no details about the projects to be developed are available yet. The detailed tender document is likely to be uploaded on SECI’s website shortly.
Commenting on the tender announcement, a SECI official told Mercom, “This is the second renewable tender with peak power supply.”
In August 2019, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-solar-wind-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom</a> reported that SECI had issued a request for selection for setting up 1.2 GW of renewable projects connected with the ISTS with a guaranteed peak power supply (ISTS-VII). The tender was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-solar-wind-storage-peak-power-supply-oversubscribed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">oversubscribed</a> by 420 MW.
In this tender, a project was asked to have at least two components. One will be the energy storage system (ESS) component and the other will be the renewable energy generating component. The RE generating component could be either a solar photovoltaic (SPV) system or a wind energy system or a hybrid system of both technologies. Projects selected under this RfS were eligible for two-part tariffs: Peak Tariff and Off-Peak Tariff. Energy generated during the off-peak hours was eligible for a flat tariff payment ₹2.70 ($0.03)/kWh (later amended to ₹2.88 ($0.04)/kWh) while the energy generated during the peak hours was to be purchased at the tariff discovered through e-reverse auction, SECI had then specified. The bidders were to quote only for the peak tariff under this RfS. The applicable tariff under the PPA would comprise both peak and off-peak tariffs that will be fixed for the entire term of the PPA.
Then, in January 2020, it was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/greenko-renew-win-seci-solar-wind-auction-with-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> that Greenko Group and ReNew Power won the auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India for 1.2 GW of solar, wind and energy storage projects with guaranteed peak power supply. While Greenko was awarded 900 MW, ReNew Power won 300 MW of projects. Greenko Group won the bid at a peak power tariff rate of ₹6.12 (~$0.086)/ kWh, and ReNew Power won at ₹6.85 (~$0.096)/kWh.

SECI Announces Tender for 1,200 MW of Renewable Projects with Peak Power Supply

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited’s (<a href="http://www.seci.co.in/">SECI</a>) tender for setting up 1.2 GW of renewable projects with guaranteed peak power supply has been oversubscribed by 420 MW.
The list of bidders and their quoted capacities from the technical bidding round are as follows:
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17373" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply.png" alt="SECI _ ISTS-VII-1.2 GW RE Peak Power Supply" width="942" height="528" srcset="https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply.png 942w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply-650x364.png 650w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply-624x350.png 624w, https://cms.mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SECI-_-ISTS-VII-1.2-GW-RE-Peak-Power-Supply-600x336.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 942px) 100vw, 942px" /></a>
In August 2019, SECI <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-solar-wind-storage/">issued</a> the for setting up 1.2 GW of renewable projects connected with the ISTS and with a guaranteed peak power supply (ISTS-VII). Projects were expected to have at least two components – an energy storage system (ESS) component and a renewable energy generating component. The RE generating component can be a solar system, a wind energy system, or a hybrid system of both technologies.
In its tender, SECI specified that projects selected under this RfS would be eligible for two-part tariffs: Peak Tariff and Off-Peak Tariff. Energy generated during the off-peak hours would be eligible for a flat tariff payment ₹2.70 (~$0.03)/kWh while the energy generated during peak hours would be purchased at the tariff discovered through e-reverse auction.
In December 2019, the Solar Energy Corporation of India <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-modifies-tender-solar-wind-storage/">extended</a> the bid submission deadline from November 29, 2019, to December 16, 2019, and revised the tariff for hybrid power developers during off-peak hours to ₹2.88 (~$0.04)/ kWh. It also revised the required earnest money deposit to ₹750,000 (~$10,501.9)/MW from ₹600,000 (~$ 8,680)/MW earlier.
According to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker/">India Solar Project Tracker</a>, SECI has tendered 12.2 GW under the ISTS program (Tranche I to VIII) and has auctioned about 6.44 GW under ISTS Tranche I to VI.
SECI has been issuing unique tenders to offset the intermittent nature of renewable energy and promote local manufacturing. In October 2019, SECI <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tender-round-clock-renewables-energy-storage/">issued</a> a tender to procure 400 MW (2×200 MW) of renewable energy on round-the-clock basis. Recently the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) also came up with a draft plan to supply round-the-clock  power from renewable (solar, wind, and hydro) projects, which would be complemented with power from thermal projects.
In November 2019, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-manufacturing-linked-solar-tender-oversubscribed-by-1-gw/">Mercom</a> reported that SECI had also received a good response for its 7 GW solar tender that has been linked with a manufacturing component. The tender was oversubscribed by 1,000 MW.
Adani Green Energy had submitted its bid for 4 GW of solar projects and 1 GW of manufacturing component, followed by Azure and Navyug, which submitted bids for 2 GW of projects each.

SECI’s Solar-Wind Storage Tender with Assured Peak Power Supply Oversubscribed by 420 MW

According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) 2017 Load Generation Balance Report, a study on the anticipated power supply position for financial year (FY) 2017-18, India is expecting a power surplus of 8.8 percent and peak surplus of 6.8 percent in the country during 2017-18.
The CEA estimates that the Eastern region will meet its demand almost entirely while the other four regions will have a surplus varying from 3 percent to 13 percent with 3 percent in the North-Eastern region, 7.4 percent in the Southern region, 9.8 percent in the Northern region, and 13 percent in the Western region. In terms of peak power, the Northern, Western, Eastern, Southern, and North-Eastern regions are likely to have peak surpluses of 6.7 percent, 17.2 percent, 1 percent, 10 percent, and 2.7 percent respectively.
Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Daman &amp; Diu, Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli, Goa, Odisha, West Bengal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Sikkim are likely to have both a peak and energy surplus on an annual basis.
Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana, Puducherry, and Manipur are anticipated to have surplus on an annual basis, but only in terms of energy. To meet the peak deficit, these states may arrange power from surplus states. All other states in the country are likely to have a demand-supply gap of varying degrees both in terms of energy and peak power.
The assessment of the anticipated power supply position in the country during FY2017-18 has been made taking into consideration the power availability from various projects in operation, including non-conventional energy sources, fuel availability, and anticipated water availability at hydroelectric projects. A capacity addition of 13,405 MW during the FY 2017-18 comprising 11,366 MW of thermal, 1,539 MW of hydro and 500 MW of nuclear power projects has been considered.
The CEA also stated that during the FY 2016-17, total ex-bus energy availability increased by 4.1 percent over the previous year, and the peak met increased by 5.7 percent. The energy requirement registered a growth of 2.6 percent during the year against the projected growth of 9 percent and peak demand registered a growth of 4 percent against the projected growth of 7.8 percent.
Mercom previously <a href="https://mercomindia.com/indias-power-supply-deficit-0-7-percent-fy2016-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>, India recorded a low power supply deficit of 0.7 percent in the financial year (FY) 2016-17. More than 1,134,631 million units of electricity were produced, which was 7,461 million units less than the targeted 1,142,092 million units, according to CEA. The supply deficit was 0.7 percent and the peak deficit stood at 1.6 percent. A senior official at the CEA told that the deficit in FY2016-17 was lowest since the agency started maintaining the reports in 1992.

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