India’s biggest concentrated solar tender likely this year
Notable because
The announcement by SECI follows NTPC’s invitation for an expression of interest in a 50 MW concentrated solar power project (CSP) in April 2024. CSP technology harnesses sunlight through mirrors to generate concentrated heat, powering turbines to produce electricity. Unlike conventional solar power, CSP systems can store thermal energy, enabling electricity generation even after sundown. This makes CSP a reliable and dispatchable power source akin to traditional power plants.
What to look out for in the months ahead
India’s RE tenders have marked a shift towards innovative procurement models. IN Q1 FY25, 68% of the auctioned capacity was procured through innovative models apart from the vanilla solar and wind formats. If successfully scaled, integrating technologies like CSP with energy storage systems would be pivotal in addressing the intermittent nature of renewable energy and stabilising the grid. How would this synergy contribute to India’s goal of achieving 50% non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030?