MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), has officially issued Draft Guidelines for selection of 1500 MW Grid Solar PV power projects under National Solar Mission, Phase-II Batch-II Scheme.
Here are some key points of the proposed scheme:
- It is to be carried out by NVVN (NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited) through a transparent, tariff based reverse bidding process.
- NVVN shall enter into suitable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Solar Power Developers and Power Sale Agreement (PSA) with Distribution Companies/ Utilities/ other Bulk Consumers.
- There will be two bid tranche: 750 MW in 2014-15, and remaining 750 MW in 2015-16.
- Projects with minimum capacity of 10 MW and maximum capacity of 50 MW, and connection level with transmission utilities at 33kV and above, shall be permitted to bid.
- A company can only bid for a maximum capacity of 100 MW per tranche.
- DCR to be 500 MW out of the total 1500 MW. It was 50 % (375 MW) in Phase-II Batch-I scheme.
Interested stakeholders are required to send their comments by 23rd July, 2014.
It is interesting to note that out of the target capacity of 9000 MW in Phase 2 (2013-2017), 750 MW bids have been successfully completed, and as per this scheme 1500 MW bids will be completed by 2015-16. That leaves just 2 years i.e. 2016-17 and 2017-18 for the remaining 6750 MW of bid capacity.
Target achievement will be difficult but not impossible, considering that by 2017 India aims to achieve Grid Parity with respect to Solar Power, by extending the incentives (concessional customs duty) given to the Solar manufacturing sector and inflow of funds from NCEF.
The draft document can be accessed here.
