Round-the-clock renewable energy tenders worry developers

Bengaluru: Renewable energy developers are uneasy about the government’s recent focus on round-the-clock solar and wind tenders, as they feel this may not be workable in practice.

The ministry of new and renewable energy conducted a round-the-clock (RTC) auction earlier this month for 400 MW of projects where the levelised tariff emerged at Rs 3.60 per unit. Renew Power was the sole winner.

Developers say tender conditions do not require supplying power throughout the day, it could be called round-the-clock only in theory. “The RTC tender is not dispatchable. It doesn’t state on a day to day basis how much power is needed, it only gives a monthly quota,” a developer said.