New Delhi: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a key agency in the execution of government renewable energy initiatives, is set to release a tender for 500 megawatts (MW) of solar thermal capacity by the end of the fiscal year 2024-25. This announcement, made by SECI’s Chairman and Managing Director R P Gupta, marks a significant milestone as it represents the largest solar thermal tender ever floated in India.
Speaking at the India Energy Storage Week 2024, an event hosted by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), Gupta underscored the unprecedented scale of this tender. “The tender is expected to be out by the end of this financial year 2024-25. There have been solar thermal tenders before, but not of this scale,” Gupta stated, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of this initiative.
Historically, solar thermal tenders in India have been relatively modest in size, often accompanied by high costs. This upcoming 500-MW tender, however, will feature advanced technology designed to generate steam through heat, thereby powering turbines. Gupta assured that the pricing for these projects would be competitive with other Round the Clock (RTC) energy solutions, though he did not provide further specifics on the cost structure The India Energy Storage Week 2024 is dedicated to fostering the adoption of energy storage, e-mobility, green hydrogen, and other clean technologies in India, aligning with the nation’s ambitious net zero goals. The event has attracted global leaders from various sectors, including battery manufacturing, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electric vehicles (EVs), all convened to discuss the future of advanced battery manufacturing in India, as well as the associated opportunities and challenges.
This move by SECI reflects a broader commitment to diversifying and expanding India’s renewable energy portfolio. The focus on solar thermal technology, which harnesses the sun’s heat to produce electricity, represents an innovative step in achieving sustainable and reliable energy production. By generating steam through concentrated solar power, these projects can provide a steady and controllable energy supply, complementing the more variable output of traditional photovoltaic solar panels. The anticipated tender will likely stimulate significant interest from both domestic and international players in the renewable energy sector, given the scale and advanced nature of the proposed projects. It also signals a strategic push by the Indian government to leverage cutting-edge technologies in the quest for energy security and environmental sustainability.