GUVNL Concludes 250 MW Wind Power Phase-XI Auction with L1 Tariff of ₹3.51/kWh

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has finalized its e-reverse auction for the procurement of 250 MW of grid-connected wind power projects under Phase-XI. Acting as the central power procurer for its four state-owned distribution utilities—Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL), Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL), Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), and Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL)—the utility concluded the auction on July 9, 2026. The process discovered a lowest (L1) tariff of ₹3.51/unit, representing a slight increase from the ₹3.43/kWh recorded during GUVNL’s Phase-X auction in December 2025.

Detailed Breakdown of Auction Winners and Allocations

The 250 MW capacity was awarded to four successful bidders. Three developers—NLC India Renewables, Juniper Green Energy, and Powerica—secured their respective capacities at the discovered L1 rate of ₹3.51/kWh. The remaining 50 MW was awarded to Cu-Built Renewable Energy at a tariff of ₹3.52/kWh through the standard “bucket-filling” methodology. While GUVNL is the offtaker, the projects are technology-agnostic and may be developed at locations chosen by the bidders anywhere in India.

Project Timeline and Contractual Framework

The procurement process was initiated with the issuance of the Request for Selection (RfS) on April 30, 2026, followed by online bid submissions in May 2026. The auction conclusion marks the transition toward formalizing 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which will be effective from the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) or the Scheduled Commencement-of-Supply Date.

Successful developers are subject to the following contractual and financial obligations:

• Financial Closure: Projects must achieve financial closure within 12 months of PPA execution.
• Commissioning Schedule: The primary commissioning timeline is 24 months. However, the RfS specifies a maximum grace period of SCOD plus 180 days. Any capacity remaining uncommissioned beyond this 180-day window will be subject to forfeiture.
• Financial Security: Bidders were required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹13 lakh per MW. Successful bidders must provide a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹32 lakh per MW at the time of signing the PPA.

Analysis of the Greenshoe Option and Capacity Expansion

The Phase-XI tender includes a “Greenshoe Option,” allowing GUVNL to scale its procurement by an additional 250 MW without initiating a fresh competitive bidding process. If exercised, this provision would bring the total allocation under this phase to 500 MW. Under the operational mechanism of this clause, additional capacity may be allocated to the successful bidders at the discovered L1 tariff of ₹3.51/kWh. This option provides the utility with the flexibility to meet higher Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) based on developer response and tariff discovery.

Technical Requirements and Operational Standards

To ensure grid stability and project performance, awarded developers must adhere to the following technical mandates:

• Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF): Projects are required to maintain a minimum annual CUF of 25% throughout the 25-year contract term, with a permissible variation of ±20%.
• Approved Technology: Developers are restricted to wind turbine models listed in the “Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM)” or the “Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (Wind)” as maintained by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Monitoring Infrastructure: The installation and maintenance of a GPS-enabled Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at the project site is mandatory.
• Grid Connectivity: Projects must connect to either the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) system or the State Transmission Utility (STU) network. For STU-connected projects, the delivery point is defined as a Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) substation at a voltage level of 66 kV or above.

Summary of Next Milestones

The immediate next step following the auction is the formal signing of PPAs between GUVNL and the four awarded entities. Developers remain accountable for the development of the necessary transmission infrastructure to connect their projects to the grid. All costs and risks associated with securing connectivity and transmission to the designated delivery points are to be borne solely by the developers.

To provide official context for the information regarding the GUVNL wind power auctions and infrastructure projects, the following list includes the primary government and utility entities involved, along with their official web portals as mentioned in the sources.

Official Sources and Hyperlinks

• Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) The state-owned utility responsible for the bulk purchase and sale of power in Gujarat, which issued the Request for Selection (RfS) and conducted the e-reverse auction. Link: www.guvnl.com
• ISN-Electronic Tender System (ETS) The official e-bidding portal used by GUVNL for tender document distribution, bid submission, and conducting the e-reverse auction. Link: https://www.bharat-electronictender.com
• Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) The State Transmission Utility (STU) that provides grid connectivity and technical feasibility approvals for renewable energy projects in Gujarat. Link: https://www.getcogujarat.com
• India Investment Grid (IIG) A national portal that provides data on infrastructure initiatives, including specific project details for the wind sector in regions like Kutch. Link: https://indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in (Referenced in)
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) The federal ministry that maintains the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) and issues guidelines for competitive bidding in the wind sector. Link: https://mnre.gov.in (Referenced in)
• Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) The state nodal agency responsible for certifying project commissioning and facilitating land allotments for renewable energy projects in Gujarat. Link: https://geda.gujarat.gov.in (Referenced in)