ACME Solar has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) to supply 300 MW of assured peak power backed by 1,200 MWh of energy storage under SECI’s Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) IX tranche. The agreed tariff is ₹6 per unit.
The project will combine solar power generation with a battery energy storage system (BESS) to deliver electricity during non-solar hours. ACME Solar will provide four hours of daily supply at a contracted energy delivery rate of 4 MWh per MW, while maintaining a minimum monthly availability of 90%.
The arrangement will also use night-time grid connectivity already available to the company, potentially allowing it to utilise existing infrastructure for scheduled power delivery outside daylight hours.
How ACME Solar’s 300 MW FDRE Project Will Work
Under the agreement, the project will provide 300 MW of assured peak power, supported by 1,200 MWh of battery storage capacity.
The supply arrangement is structured around four hours of delivery each day during non-solar periods. At the contracted capacity, this corresponds to 1,200 MWh of electricity per four-hour delivery window.
ACME Solar will be required to maintain at least 90% monthly availability under the stated agreement terms.
Why the Agreement Matters for Renewable Power Supply
The agreement reflects the role of firm and dispatchable renewable energy projects in addressing one of the key limitations of solar power: the gap between daytime generation and electricity demand during evening and night-time peak periods.
Solar generation varies with weather and daylight conditions. Battery storage can help shift electricity from periods of generation to periods of demand, allowing renewable energy projects to support more predictable supply schedules.
For ACME Solar, the use of existing night-time connectivity could help integrate the project with available grid infrastructure. However, the extent of any cost or deployment advantage will depend on the project’s configuration, charging arrangements and applicable grid requirements.
The 90% monthly availability requirement is also significant because it places emphasis on delivering power according to the agreed schedule, rather than simply installing renewable generation and storage capacity.
Understanding the FDRE-IX Supply Structure
The project falls under SECI’s FDRE-IX procurement tranche. FDRE projects are designed to provide renewable electricity according to specified supply requirements, with configurations potentially combining generation sources and storage to meet delivery schedules.
The tariff represents the contracted rate stated in the source material. The agreement details provided do not establish whether it includes any additional charges, escalation provisions or other payment conditions.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
ACME Solar’s agreement with SECI illustrates how renewable energy procurement is increasingly focused on the timing and reliability of electricity delivery, alongside installed generation capacity.
The combination of solar generation and battery storage can help address the mismatch between daytime solar production and demand during non-solar hours. For power procurers, this type of arrangement offers a framework for obtaining renewable electricity against defined delivery and availability requirements.
Overall, the agreement highlights the growing importance of storage-backed renewable power procurement in India’s electricity market. Its broader significance will depend on ACME Solar’s ability to meet the required supply schedule reliably and deliver the contracted electricity at a commercially sustainable cost.
