Sembcorp India Confirms 400 MW Solar Capacity Win in Rajasthan

Sembcorp Energy India has confirmed that it has won a 400 MW solar power project in Rajasthan in a closely contested auction conducted by SECI.

Sembcorp Energy India Limited (SEIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, has won a bid for a new 400 MW solar power project. Through its renewables subsidiary, Sembcorp Green Infra, SEIL won this bid in a closely contested auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

In November, we had reported that in SECI’s auction for 1070 MW solar projects being set up in Rajasthan (Tranche-III) it had received two (L1) bids at then the record lowest tariff of Rs 2 per kWh. The record low L1 bid was submitted by Saudi Arabian firm Al Jomaih Energy and Water Co and the Sembcorp Energy India subsidiary. Both submitted the L1 bid for 200 MW and 400 MW capacity respectively.

SEIL has now received the letter of award (LoA) from SECI to develop the project in Rajasthan connected to the state’s transmission utility Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RVPN). The project’s entire output will be sold to SECI under a 25-year long-term power purchase agreement.

Vipul Tuli – CEO South Asia, Sembcorp Industries said “as a long-term player committed to India’s energy transition, we are pleased to secure the 400 MW utility-scale solar project in Rajasthan. Sembcorp has established a track record of delivering world-class power projects within timelines. We are confident of delivering this project thanks to strong support from central and state government agencies and our business partners. India is a key market for Sembcorp, where we will continue to contribute to the nation’s clean energy mission. With this win, we have moved into our next phase of growth.”

The solar project in Rajasthan is expected to be ready for commercial operation by mid-2022. The project will be funded through a mixture of internal funds and debt.

In July, the firm had announced the successful commissioning of 800 MW of wind projects awarded from three earlier SECI bids. The projects were the earliest wind projects won through open auctions and reverse bidding, starting back in 2017, and their completion on time marked a major milestone for India’s wind energy journey.