Solar projects of 4,431 MW to be tendered within 6 months

With an eye on its ambitious target of generating 100,000 MW of solar power by 2022, the union government is expected to tender solar power projects worth 4,431 MW across India in the February-March period.

The government is expected to tender this in 60 days starting 1 February. Of the 4,431 MW, 3,156 MW will be tendered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd, while 1,050 MW will be by the National Thermal Power Corp, 150 by the Bihar government and 75MW by the Central government's public sector units.

After coming to power in May 2014, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government increased India's solar power target from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW by 2022. At present, India's total grid connected solar power is only 5,248 MW; of that, Rajasthan alone has 1,264 MW.

Till 1 January, a total of 15,177 MW has already been tendered by the central and state governments. Projects that are likely to be commissioned this financial year are expected to total to around 12,161 MW.

Experts point out that due to the difficult financial position, the road may not be very smooth for the sector in the days ahead.

Last month, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) said the government would soon unveil a new policy to promote manufacturing in the solar energy sector.

Since the time the government raised the target, there has been a huge buzz around the solar sector. India has witnessed a tariff drop from Rs.18 per kWh a few years ago to a record Rs.4.34 per unit quoted by Finland-based energy firm Fortum Finnsurya Energy for a 420 MW project in Rajasthan.