Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for the survey and development of offshore wind energy capacities. The last date for submitting bids is May 6, 2024 and they will be opened the next day.

The government has proposed to lease out seabed areas for 4,000 MW equivalent offshore wind project capacity, including specific identified offshore wind sub-blocks off the coast of Tamil Nadu in the Gulf of Mannar.

The bids are for four blocks of 1,000 MW each on an open access basis, which allows the developer to sell electricity directly to consumers under the open access regime.

The successful bidder will have exclusive rights over the allocated seabed to carry out the required study, survey and subsequent project development. This will be subject to payment of lease rental of ₹1 lakh per sq km per year.

The scope of work comprises designing, building, financing, constructing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and decommissioning.