Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has concluded its Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) Tranche-VII tender auction, awarding 1.2 GW of capacity with 4.8 GWh of assured peak power supply to four renewable energy developers. This is in a bid to advance India’s transition to round-the-clock clean power solutions. The auction, floated in October 2025, attracted competitive bids from major solar and storage players under a tariff-based reverse bidding framework. This framework prioritizes guaranteed four-hour dispatchable supply during peak grid demand periods.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) FDRE Tranche-VII Tender Awardees

In the Tranche-VII auction results, Adyant Enersol (Datta Infra) emerged as the lowest-tariff bidder with 100 MW at ₹6.27/kWh ($0.069/kWh). Serentica Renewables India secured 600 MW. AMPIN Energy’s Utility Nine unit won 199 MW, and ACME Solar Holdings was awarded 301 MW under the ‘bucket-filling’ allocation method with tariffs clustered at ₹6.28/kWh ($0.0695/kWh). Bucket-filling allocates capacity when multiple bidders quote the same tariff and the remaining capacity in the tender is less than the total capacity bid at that price.

All the winning capacities are linked to interstate transmission-connected projects with co-located energy storage systems. They are designed to deliver 4,000 kWh/MW daily across four peak hours while meeting regulatory availability requirements.

India Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) Tender

Under the FDRE framework, which mandates renewable generation (typically solar) plus battery energy storage co-location, developers are responsible for identifying land, securing statutory approvals and grid connectivity. They also ought to commence power supply within 24 months of PPA signing. Projects may also source up to 5% of annual renewable energy through green markets or bilateral arrangements to meet minimum supply requirements.

Tranche-VII Auction

Additionally, the Tranche-VII tender builds on SECI’s earlier FDRE programs in India. This includes the 8,000 MWh FDRE-VI auction where Altra Xergi Power (O2 Power) was a key winner. All in all, the FDRE programs demonstrate continuity and policy evolution toward scalable dispatchable renewables.

Markets View on Latest India FDRE Tender

Market analysts also view Tranche-VII results as a step further into supporting India’s firm renewable procurement targets. This will enable the country’s grid to handle variability and peak demand through solar-plus-storage integration. This is while still looking at long-term PPAs that support project financing. The competitive tariffs of around ₹6.27-6.28/kWh are also a show of investor confidence in FDRE. This is especially as a viable alternative to fossil peaking power.

The SECI FDRE Tranche-VII tender awards also align with broader renewable trends in India. This includes a nearly 22% year-over-year increase in solar generation to 164.5 billion units in 2025. The growth has been driven in part by recent project commissioning that had been delayed due to regulatory uncertainties such as the Great Indian Bustard conservation case.