NTPC postpones auction of 2,000 MW solar capacities amid developers concerns on evacuation

NTPC has reportedly postponed auction of 2,000 MW solar capacities to the first week of June looking into the concerns raised by developers on evacuation. Reports states that developers has sought resolution of inter-state connectivity issue before going ahead with the sale.

According to industry sources, SECI may extend the bid submission for 2,000 MW solar capacities scheduled for the first week of June.

PTI citing sources notes that the NTPC’s 2,000 MW solar bid submissions scheduled on May 21, 2018, has been deferred to June first week after considering concerns expressed by developers about difficulties being faced for getting power evacuation connectivity through the inter-state transmission system.

The Solar Power Developers Association had written to the Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE) to extend solar auctions till the issue related to grant of connectivity through inter-state transmission system is not resolved.

Developers had also raised the issue in the pre-bid meeting with MNRE and SECI officials last week.

Power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the procedure for grant of connectivity through inter-state transmission system in its order on May 15, 2018.

However, the sources said that the industry feedback is awaited on the approved guidelines whether all concerns raised on the draft procedures have been resolved in the final order.

The government has planned to auction 60 GW solar capacities in 2018-19 and 2019-20 in view of its ambitious target of having 100 GW solar energy capacity by 2022.

It usually take 15 months to implement a solar power project after signing of PPA so auction of 60GW solar capacity by March 2020 is very important. India has already achieved 22 GW of solar capacity.

With PTI inputs

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