Sian Crampsie
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has unveiled plans for a 2 GW wind energy tender.
The tender will be the third in India – and the country’s largest so far for wind – and will be administered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
It is a key part of India’s ambitious plans to have 60 GW of wind energy installed by March 2022.
According to the Ministry, the minimum capacity bid at a particular site is 50 MW, and a company can bid for a maximum of 400 MW across all sites. There are also strict clauses for delay and/or failure to commission the capacity.
The government is hoping that competition for projects and a building wind energy supply chain in India will further reduce energy prices.
The country held its first onshore wind tender in February 2017, achieving tariffs as low as Rs 3.46/kWh (5.3¢/kWh) for 1050 MW of capacity. In October 2017, India held a second auction, in which a further 1050 MW of capacity was awarded with a lowest price of Rs 2.64/kWh (4.0¢/kWh).
India’s Tamil Nadu state has also held its own wind energy auction, awarding 500 MW at Rs 3.42/kWh (5.2¢/kWh).