The Telangana government is all set to invite tenders to facilitate setting up of 1,000 MW of solar photo-voltaic power generation farms through a reverse bidding process.
“The tenders are likely to be invited within 10-15 days. We have decided to offer these projects in a reverse bidding mode, with the last set of development of solar projects arrived at ₹6.45 a unit. Now the developers will be asked to come up with offers lower than this price,” Aravind Kumar, Principal Secretary (Energy), said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Renewable Energy Conference here, he said, “The government had earlier finalised tenders to offer 505 MWof solar power projects for development. With the new tender, we will offer 1,500 MW for development. These projects together are expected to be ready by March 2016.”
The Telangana government has set a target of 5,000 MW solar energy projects over the next 4-5 years. In addition to these tenders, some of the major PSUs such as NTPC have come forward to develop big solar PV units.
In the case of tenders, the developer acquires land on his own and for NTPC, the government will acquire land and allot it for development, he explained.
Power supply Asked about the power supply situation, Aravind Kumar said, “The peak summer months will have a projected shortfall of about 1,000 MW in Telangana. We have made arrangements to bridge the gap. They include 500 MW from Kerala and generation of about 250-300 MW using naptha as fuel in the gas based projects.”
The commissioning of Gayatri Power plant has augmented power. Efforts are under way with various Union Ministries to swap natural gas with RLNG and this will add to power generation. NTPC has also agreed to supply another 500 MW from its unallocated pool. The transmission line constraints are being addressed, he said.