The Indian Railways has issued its first tender to implement solar-wind hybrid projects.
The Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL) has issued a tender to set up 140 megawatts of solar-wind hybrid capacity. The project shall be spread across three states.
The Indian Railways has specified the capacity to be implemented in each of the three states as well as the split between the two technologies.
Of the 140 megawatts of capacity, 105 megawatts will be commissioned through wind energy technology, and the balance from solar PV technology.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) awarded 720 megawatts of capacity at a tariff bid of 3.85¢/kWh to two companies in a May 2019 auction.
This tender was issued within weeks of the SECI awarding two large hybrid projects under the second national-level hybrid tender.
The maximum tariff bid allowed in the REMCL tender is Rs 2.70/kWh (3.87¢/kWh) which may not be suitable for the developers due to the limited size of the planned projects.
The Indian government has announced plans to transform the Indian Railways into a net zero emitter by 2030 and renewable energy would play a major role in that.
Reference- Clean Technica, Financial Express