NTPC, India's largest power utility, has issued a tender inviting bids for power supply from 1 GW of wind-solar hybrid power projects across India. These projects will be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis and connected to the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) grid. The last date for bid submission is April 16, 2024, with bids to be opened on the same day. Successful bidders will be selected through an online reverse auction conducted by NTPC at a later stage.
Combining renewable sources like wind and solar, hybrid projects offer improved grid stability, particularly when sunlight or wind availability fluctuates. This tender marks the sixth tranche of NTPC's initiative to procure hybrid renewable power through international competitive bidding.
Bidders are required to furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹1.16 million ($14,000) per MW and can purchase the Request for Selection (RfS) document for ₹22,500 ($271). The RfS document can be downloaded from NTPC's e-tender portal between March 21 and April 3, 2024. Bidder evaluation will be based on their technical and financial capabilities, as specified in the RfS document.
Furthermore, bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must be registered with the competent authority to participate. However, this registration requirement is waived for countries with which India has extended lines of credit or is engaged in development projects.
In addition to this tender, NTPC Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of NTPC, has recently invited bids for a 150 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power project in Bhadla, Rajasthan. NTPC has also called for bids to retrofit a solar inverter for its 5 MW solar photovoltaic power project at the Dadri thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh. These initiatives underscore NTPC's commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio and contributing to India's clean energy transition.
