NHPC has floated a tender for 1.2 GW Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected solar power projects with a 600 MW/12,000 MWh energy storage system (ESS). The tender also mentions a greenshoe option up to 1.2 GW. The last date of submission of bids is October 18. The timeline of construction of the project is 24 to 30 months from the signing of the power purchase agreement (PPA).
The project will be built on a build-own-operate basis and NHPC will sign a PPA with the winning bidder for 25 years. No Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be provided to develop the project. The bids for the project should range from 50 MW to 500 MW. The bids will start from 50 MW and increase as multiples of 10. The cumulative capacity should not exceed 600 MW (with a minimum ESS component of 300 MW) excluding the greenshoe option. When the greenshoe option is included, maximum allowed capacity is 1,200 MW.
However, for projects in the northeastern states and Special Categories, the minimum capacity quoted can be 30 MW (with a minimum ESS component of 15 MW/30 MWh). According to the tender guidelines, the bidders should have an annual turnover of Rs 6.45 million per MW of the quoted capacity in the preceding financial year. Their net worth should be at least Rs 12.9 million per MW in the preceding financial year. Further, their internal resource generation capability of profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes should be Rs 1.29 million per MW of the quoted capacity in the previous financial year.
In September 2024, NHPC was accorded with the Navratna status. In July 2024, NHPC Renewable Energy Limited signed a MoU with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited for the installation of rooftop solar projects on government buildings across central ministries, states, and union territories.
