India sets timetable for solar auctions

This follows pressure on the solar auction landscape, marked by tender cancellations and lowered tariffs.

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has asked central and state governments to follow a timetable for the solar photovoltaic (PV) tenders, Mercom India reports.

“It has been seen that sometimes bids of two organisations clash with each other, thus distorting the market,” a letter read. This allows for the even distribution of tender and auction activities throughout the year.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will have the months of December, March, June, and September, whilst The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and other public sector units will get January, April, July, and October for tender and auction activity.

State implementing agencies will use February, May, August and November for their respective activities.

This request highlights the pressure on India’s solar auction landscape. Approximately 4GW of solar auctions have been already cancelled in the recent months. Moreover, three large auctions have been terminated recently.

This was recently illustrated by SECI’s cancellation of 2.4GW out of a 3GW Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) connected solar auction held in July 2018.