New timeline extension to the 97.5 MW Solar Rooftop Tender by SECI

Once again, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issues new notification for the timeline extension schedule of a 97.5 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop systems for government-owned structures across the country.

Once again, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) introduced a new timeline schedule for 97.5 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop systems to be set up on state-owned structures throughout the country. As the coronavirus outbreak that resulted in a nation-wide lockdown causing a serious disruption across the country, this extension has been announced for the developers.

In August 2019, the scheme’s RfS was released, while the changes and extensions of the deadline only being reported in January 2020 with the final list of winners.

The New Notification

SECI’s in its notification stated that the lock-down of COVID-19 has been viewed as a force majeure, and a reasonable time-extension was agreed upon in compliance with the approval given by the competent authority – the Ministry of the New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

As per SECI’s notification, the timeline extension for the successful bidders of Zones – 1, 2, and 3 has been extended to March 14, 2021, from the previous deadline of January 20, 2021. On the other hand, the timeline extension for the successful bidders of Zone 4 has been extended to July 14, 2021, from the previous of April 22, 2021.

SECI added that the projects that are postponed after these deadlines shall be liable for a daily penalty as well as shall not be entitled to incentives. However, such projects need to be completed by 14 September 2021 and 14 December 2021 for zones (1, 2 & 3), and for zone 4 programmes, respectively – it added.

SECI added that the other terms and conditions remain unchanged and binding in compliance with its initial allocation letter (LoA)

About Tender

This 97.5 MW rooftop solar tender by SECI was originally issued in February 2019 and was re-issued in August 2019 has been split into 3 classes. The first class (Part-A), includes the capital costs or CAPEX models for 10 MW; while the second group (Part-B) includes RESCO for 85 MW and the third (Part-C) for 2. 5 MW also falls under the CAPEX model.

Various zones incentives for installations in central, state, and local government offices and agencies had already been declared by the SECI.

Back in July 2020, the company last extended the timelines for this bid.