MERC approves MSEDCL’s 250 MW wind tender

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has approved a tariff of Rs 2.52 per kWh proposed by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for procuring 250 MW of wind power on a short-term basis to fulfil its non-solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO). MERC has also approved changes suggested by MSEDCL in line with the wind bidding guidelines issued by the MoP in December 2017. As per the revised guidelines, all intra-state wind power projects with a minimum capacity of 1 MW and to be commissioned on or before March 31, 2019 will be eligible to participate in MSEDCL’s proposed tender. The selected projects will need to maintain a minimum capacity utilisation factor of 17 per cent. MSEDCL will sign PPAs for an eight-year period. The repowering of wind turbines will be allowed with due approvals from MSEDCL after a period of six months from the execution of the PPA.