In the first week of 2018, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), an Indian government energy agency and part of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has tendered several PV projects on a »build, own and operate« basis. The tenders are part of the government’s goal of tendering 3 GW of solar facilities in the month of January 2018.

As part of the initiative for achieving a 100 percent renwable energy powered Varanasi City, SECI invites tenders for setting up of 275 MW grid connected PV projects in the state of Uttar Pradesh under NSM Phase-II, Batch-IV, Tranche-XIII.

SECI has tendered also 200 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects to be developed at the Pavagada Solar Park in Tumkur, Karnataka. A single bidder can bid for a minimum of 50 MW and a maximum of 200 MW capacity. According to consultancy Mercom India Research, four 50 MW blocks have been kept ready at the Pavagada solar park to develop this capacity. Furthermore, SECI has tendered 750 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects to be developed at the Kadapa Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh. A single bidder can bid for a minimum 250 MW and maximum 750 MW capacity.

As reported in December, SECI is also looking for Expression of Interest (EOI) for development of about 10,000 MW Floating Solar PV (FSPV) projects on build, own and operate basis and now has extended the last date of submission until January 19.