Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), a joint venture between Indian Railways and RITES Limited, has floated tender to purchase round-the-clock (RTC) power from 695 MW grid-connected clean projects, with or without storage. These projects will be in combination with existing 500 MW and 195 MW Ircon Renewable Power Limited and REWA Ultra Mega Power Solar Limited projects’, respectively. The planned RTC power provision incorporates the current power generated by the IRPL and RUMSL solar projects. The chosen developer for the project will specifically provide electricity during time blocks when power is unavailable from these existing projects, ensuring compliance with both annual and time block availability requirements. Bidders are required to submit distinct bids for the two interconnected projects.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders are required to submit Rs 980,000 per MW as an earnest money deposit. Within 7 days of power purchase agreement (PPA) being signed, the selected bidders are required to furnish Rs 2 million per MW as a performance bank guarantee. The bid submission deadline is February 14, 2024.
The IRPL project necessitates a minimum bid capacity of 100 MW, while the RUMSL project requires a minimum of 50 MW. The annual availability of both projects is established at 75 per cent for the first four years, with an increase to 85 per cent for the subsequent contract years. In terms of time-block-wise availability, the projects must maintain a minimum project availability of 50 per cent throughout the entire contract period. The energy storage systems (ESS) can be independently linked with a third party by the developer, or they can be included into the project. The ESS electricity used in this project must to come from renewable sources, which is important. The renewable generation components and ESS installations can be positioned anywhere in India, whether co-located or at distinct locations. Different elements of RTC power, such as solar, wind, hydro, and others, can be linked to the interstate transmission system network at various substations.
The developers will be responsible for acquiring the land. The projects must be completed within 24 months of PPA being signed. Furthermore, REMCL has mandated the use of indigenously manufactured solar modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. Additionally, under the tender, only wind-turbine models listed in Revised list of Models and Manufacturers will be allowed.
