SECI Struggles with Implementation, 3rd Extension For 97.5 MW Rooftop Scheme

The last date for submissions has been extended to April 30, 2019.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has extended the deadline for submission of bids on its 97.5 MW grid-connected rooftop solar PV system scheme for government buildings, for the second time in the last 7 days.

On April 9, 2019, the nodal agency issued a deadline extension from April 11, 2019, to April 16, 2019, with the techno-commercial bids scheduled to be opened on April 18, 2019. This was the second deadline for the rooftop scheme tender since it was first issued on February 26, 2019.

On March 28, 2019, the agency had issued amendments to its tender, modifying a bulk of the key provisions of the tender to better suit the capabilities and demands of the prospective bidders.

Key Amendments:

1. The bidding process which was initially divided into two categories i.e. General State category and Special State category has now been divided into four zones i.e Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone-3 and Zone 4. In a particular zone, there will be only one price for all the bidders in CAPEX Model PART-A, one price for all the bidders in CAPEX Model PART- C (Rs per kWp: Project Cost) and similarly there will be only one price for RESCO Model (Rs per kWh: Tariff).
2. In Part-A of the RfS which allocated 10 MW of rooftop capacity under capex model, split between the General State Category (7.275 MW) and Special State Category (2.725 MW) has been amended for the four zones. Zones 1, 2 and 3 have been allocated 9 MW capacity and Zone 4 has been allocated 1 MW.
3. In Part-B of the RfS which allocated 85 MW of rooftop solar capacity under RESCO model, split between the General State Category (78.75 MW) and Special State Category (6.25 MW) has been amended for the four zones. Zones 1, 2 and 3 have been allocated 76.5 MW capacity and Zone 4 has been allocated 8.5 MW.
4. The maximum allowable fixed tariff for the RESCO part for the 25 year PPA agreement has also been amended;

For Zone-1 Fixed Ceiling Tariff (Rs/kWh) – 3.50

For Zone-2 Fixed Ceiling Tariff (Rs/kWh) – 3.64

For Zone-3 Fixed Ceiling Tariff (Rs/kWh) – 3.95

For Zone-4 Fixed Ceiling Tariff (Rs/kWh) – 2.50

And now, SECI has extended the deadline again. The last date for submissions has been extended from April 16, 2019, to April 30, 2019. The techno-commercial bid opening has been scheduled for May 1, 2019.