The Solar Energy Corporation of India releases two system-friendly renewable energy procurements that lower generation and integration costs—major milestones in the country’s transition to a renewable energy future.

Today, many developing countries are creating policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks to attract private investment in clean energy, increase energy efficiency, and expand electricity access. USAID works in partner countries across all aspects of the energy sector to support their journey to self-reliance.

USAID and the Solar Energy Corporation of India Partner on Renewable Energy 

After the successful bid of its 1.2 gigawatt (GW) time-block tender in January 2020, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) launched a bid of 5GW of round-the-clock power in March 2020 to address the issues of intermittency by reliably meeting power demand during morning and evening hours. These recent tenders mark a major transition toward system-friendly procurements of renewable energy in India that lower generation and integration costs. The SECI tenders incorporated several lessons and global best practices on system-friendly competitive bidding provided by USAID’s Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Deployment (PACE-D 2.0 RE) program, including incorporating peak and off-peak tariffs, making the tender technology agnostic, considering renewable energy integration costs in the award decision according to location.

Renewable Energy Auctions Toolkit

Happy woman relaxing with wind generators turbines beautiful sunset background in Khao Kho mountain, Petchabun, Thailand.

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Renewable energy auctions have emerged as the best practice for procuring least-cost energy. This competitive, transparent process helps countries meet their energy goals and attract private investment on their journey to self-reliance.

In today’s rapidly evolving renewable energy marketplace, it can be challenging to keep track of current best practices in renewable energy policy, innovations, and market trends. USAID developed the Renewable Energy Auction Toolkit to help international development professionals, energy ministries, utilities, policymakers, and regulators to design and successfully implement energy auctions that expand access to affordable and sustainable clean energy.

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