SECI extends deadline for 3,000 MW solar tender

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has extended the deadline for receiving bids for the government’s manufacturing-linked solar scheme to May 14. This is the third time the SECI has extended the date – original deadline was March 18, 2019. The scheme seeks to set up 3 gigawatt (GW) of solar plants against 1.5 GW of manufacturing units.

This is the second phase of the tender launched in January 2019, after the government’s maiden call for a similar contract had to be cancelled due to tepid industry response. SECI’s initial invitation for a 10 GW of manufacturing-linked solar tender had received quotes for only 2 GW capacity put forward by Azure Power. The scheme had failed to attract developers even after the SECI had sweetened the terms for bidders multiple times.