Telangana to invite bids for 1,000 MW solar projects.

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 Rs. 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.'

In addition to these projects, there are some pending applications for about 250 MW that could not be taken up. 'We are studying if these project proposals can also be accommodated,' he said.

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.


HBL