SECI invites bids for solar+storage projects and green ammonia offtake

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a tender for the development of 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected solar power projects integrated with 600 MW/3,600 MWh energy storage systems (ESS). Projects will be implemented on a build-own-operate basis.

Developers must install ESS with at least 0.5 MW/3 MWh for every 1 MW of solar capacity. Bids must be for at least 50 MW and not more than 600 MW. The ESS may be owned or sourced from third-party providers. All projects must be ISTS-connected, with developers free to choose project sites. The ESS must be co-located with at least one project component.

Separately, SECI has also invited bids for supplying 724,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually to 13 fertiliser plants. This tender is under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme – Mode 2A, Tranche I. It was issued on June 7, 2024, with a submission deadline of June 26, 2025.

To improve project bankability, the government is offering financial support under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Approved Production Linked Incentives (PLI) are ₹8.82/kg in year one, ₹7.06/kg in year two, and ₹5.30/kg in year three, totalling Rs 1.53 billion in support. A Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) will address payment risks from fertiliser companies, enhancing financing options for developers.

The bidding process will follow SECI’s e-reverse auction model to ensure transparency and competitive price discovery.