The Indian government has launched a tender for the development of 4.8 GWh of renewables-plus-storage projects. This move is part of the country’s efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The tender, issued by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), invites bids from developers to set up projects that combine renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power with energy storage systems.
The tender has a total capacity of 4,800 MWh, which will be allocated across multiple projects. The projects will be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis, where the developer will be responsible for designing, building, and operating the project. The energy storage systems can be either battery-based or other technologies such as pumped hydro storage.
The Indian government has set ambitious targets to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, with a focus on solar and wind power. The country has already made significant progress in this regards, with renewable energy capacity increasing by over 250% in the last five years. However, the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid remains a challenge, particularly due to the intermittency of solar and wind power.
The addition of energy storage systems can help to address this challenge by storing excess energy generated during the day for use during periods of low generation or high demand. This can help to stabilize the grid and ensure a reliable supply of power to consumers. The tender is open to both domestic and international developers, and bids are expected to be submitted over the next few months.
The launch of this tender is a significant step forward for India’s renewable energy sector, and is expected to attract significant interest from developers. The combination of renewable energy and energy storage can provide a reliable and efficient source of power, and can help to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. As India continues to transition towards a low-carbon economy, tenders such as this one will play an important role in driving the growth of the renewable energy sector.
The Indian government has also announced plans to provide incentives and support to developers who participate in the tender. This includes the provision of land and transmission infrastructure, as well as financial incentives such as tax breaks and low-interest loans. The government has also established a number of institutions and agencies to support the development of the renewable energy sector, including the SECI and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Overall, the launch of this tender is a positive step forward for India’s renewable energy sector, and is expected to drive significant growth and investment in the sector over the coming years.