NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC, has issued a tender to develop 100 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid projects in India. The hybrid configuration will comprise 50 MW of solar PV and 50 MW of wind power, to be developed on a Build-Own-Operate basis. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Power's strategy to enhance flexibility in generating and scheduling thermal and hydropower stations through bundling with renewable energy and storage power.

The government aims to replace 58,000 MU of thermal generation across government and private sectors with renewable energy sources. Interested parties must submit their bids by July 18, 2024, with bid openings scheduled for the following day. Bidders are required to pay a processing fee of Rs 500,000 and an earnest money deposit of Rs 1.2 million per MW per project.

Successful bidders will enter into a 15-year power purchase agreement with the power procurer. Eligible bidders can be companies or consortia, including foreign entities registered according to their respective country's regulations. They must demonstrate experience in developing, operating, and maintaining power projects with a cumulative installed capacity not less than 50% of the bid capacity. Financial eligibility includes a net worth of at least Rs 12.3 million per MW quoted, a minimum annual turnover of Rs4.1 million per MW quoted, and internal resource generation capabilities of Rs 820,000 per MW quoted in the previous financial year.

Additionally, bidders must secure in-principle approval from lenders for a minimum of 70% of the project cost, including land expenses. NVVN has recently called for bids to appoint channel partners for installing grid-connected rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Chhattisgarh. Earlier, similar bids were invited for districts in Andhra Pradesh under Central Power Distribution Company and Eastern Power Distribution Company. (Source: Mercom)