The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has invited bids from solar power developers to set up 10 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects under Phase II of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) program.

The last date for submission of bids is  February 20, 2023. Bids will be opened the following day.

The scope of the work includes the design, construction, and supply of solar power-generating systems and the operation and maintenance of the project for 25 years.

The selected solar developer will also have to procure land and construct the transmission facilities to evacuate power.

APDCL would own the power project.

Under the CPSU program, viability gap funding — a fund by APDCL will be disbursed to the successful solar developer if found eligible. The maximum permissible limit for the fund is ₹6.8 million (~$82,463)/MW.

Bidders will have to submit a tender processing fee of ₹10,620 (~$129) and an earnest money deposit of ₹895,000 (~$10,855) per MW.

The successful bidder must furnish ₹3.4 million (~$41,191) per MW as performance security.

A bidder can participate either individually or as part of a two-member consortium.

In case the bidder is a consortium or a foreign bidder, it is mandatory for them to incorporate a new special purpose vehicle (SPV) to execute the EPC contract. In the case of a single bidder, they can form a new SPV to execute the EPC contract at their own discretion.

The bidder or its affiliate should have experience in the design, supply, erection, and commissioning of solar photovoltaic-based grid-connected power projects of cumulative installed capacity of 50% of quoted capacity anywhere in the world during the last five years prior to the bid submission date.

Out of this, at least one project should be grid-connected with 1 MW capacity or above.

Bidders should have a minimum net worth of ₹8.95 million (~$108,535) per MW.

The solar cells and modules used in the project must be manufactured in India.

In November 2022, APDCL invited bids from consultants to prepare a detailed project report for a 1 GW grid-connected solar project in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

Earlier in the month, APDCL issued a tender to procure power from 100 MW of grid-connected floating solar projects to be developed on different water bodies across the state on a build-own-operate basis for 25 years.

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