Sprng Akshaya Urja, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), Project Nine Renewable electricity (Ayana Power), and TEQ Green Power XIII (O2 Power) have bagged Railway Energy Management Company Limited’s (REMCL) auction to deliver 1 GW of round the clock (RTC) electricity from grid-connected renewable power projects with or without storage for 25 years.
Sprng won a capacity of 100 MW with a quote of Rs 3.99 per kWh. NTPC and Ayana were awarded capacity of 500 MW and 300 MW respectively, with quotes of Rs 4.10 per kWh. O2 secured 60 MW with a quote of Rs 4.27 per kWh. The tender was issued in July 2022. These projects will be implemented throughout India. REMCL is a partnership between Indian Railways and the Rail India Technical and Economic Service.
The annual availability of the projects is 75 per cent for the first four years and 85 per cent for the remaining contract years. For the duration of the contract, the minimum project availability must be 50 per cent. For any shortage in power supplied, computed on an annual or time-block basis, the developer must pay 200 per cent of the applicable tariff.
The tender had specified that only commercially established and operational technologies should be used to minimise technology risks. The energy storage system (ESS) power must be from renewable sources. It had also mandated the use of solar modules from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Similarly, the wind turbines must also be procured from suppliers listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers.
In November 2022, the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC) and REMCL signed an agreement to develop renewable energy projects in the state. Both the companies will collaborate to explore renewable energy projects in the areas of wind, solar, and hybrid segments related to the Indian Railways net-zero carbon emission targets.
