2.5 GW hybrid wind-solar projects to be auctioned in India

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A scheme to install 2.5 GW of hybrid wind-solar projects in India, proposed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has been approved by the President. The projects will be developed by private entities on build-own-operate (BOO) bases, with PPA contracts awarded through bidding processes.

The main objectives of the program are to increase the optimisation and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reduce the variability in renewable power generation and improve grid stability.

Earlier this month, MNRE published a National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. This defined a hybrid project as one containing components that generate electricity from both wind and solar photovoltaic power, where the rated power capacity of one resource is at least 25% of the rated power capacity of other resource.

The procurement will be conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), as the agency appointed to implement the program. SECI will issue a Request for Selection (RfS) in the next fifteen days.

Projects eligible for submission must have a total capacity between 200 and 500 MW, though this can be split across different sites. The minimum eligible capacity for a single site is 50 MW. The capacity of the solar and wind components is not limited as long as it fits with the Ministry's definition of a hybrid project. 

Eligible projects can contain energy storage facilities. There are no limitations on the locations of the proposed projects, all of which will connect to the inter-state transmission system (ISTS).

Following the selection of preferred bidders, SECI will sign 25-year PPA contracts with those chosen. The power purchased may be sold on to electricity distribution companies (discoms) and bulk companies that require renewable power to fulfil renewable purchase obligations.

The Policy seeks to promote new hybrid projects as well as hybridisation of existing wind and solar projects. Such hybridisation has been pioneered in India by prolific developer Hero Future Energies. Last month, the company commissioned a 78.8 MW solar-wind project located in Karnataka, which involved installation of solar panels in between the turbines of an operational 50 MW wind farm.