The Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) has invited bids from Himachali entrepreneurs to set up ground-mounted solar projects ranging from 250 kW to 1 MW each in the state.

The last date to submit the bids is January 27, 2022.

Bonafide Himachalis or partnership firms and private limited companies having 100% shareholding of Himachalis can submit bids.

Bidders must deposit a non-refundable application fee of ₹10,000 (~$131.14). Successful bidders will have to furnish an amount of ₹200,000 (~$2622.80) as a performance bank guarantee. Bidders must furnish details of funds for at least 75% of the bid capacity, at a projected installation cost of ₹40 million (~$524,559.20)/ MW.

The scope of work includes all the stages from conception to commissioning, including feasibility survey and investigation.

The projects should preferably be set up near the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) sub-station or an 11 kV/22 kV HT distribution feeder. If the land is far from a sub-station or distribution feeder, the bidder must construct an 11 kV/33kV feeder from the project site to the nearest HPSEBL substation, 11kV or 33kV distribution.

HPSEBL will mandatorily purchase the energy generated from the project at a tariff approved by the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC).

Successful bidders must set up the projects on private land, purchased or acquired on a lease basis. They will have to furnish documents regarding the ownership of the land or lease deed with the landowner where they intend to set up the project. If the land is acquired on a lease, the successful bidder will complete the process for leasing out the land after allotment of the project.

Only one project will be allotted to an applicant. If the applicant applies for more than one project, individually or as a business entity, the cumulative share should not exceed 1 MW.

Bidders who have earlier been allotted a project under the same program during 2018-19 and 2019-2020 will not be considered.

Bidders will be invited on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis on a single window for a fixed time. The window can be extended if the aggregate capacity of all the applications received is less than 20 MW.

The projects will have to be commissioned within 12 months of allotment. No environment clearances, surveys, or investigations are required to set up the projects.

An extension of a maximum of 6 months will be granted for reasons not attributable to the bidder. After that, show-cause notice will be issued, and allotment of the project will be canceled.

Bidders must submit a monthly progress report to the project officer of the district, who will monitor the progress quarterly.

In May this year, Himurja invited bids for the supply and installation of 20,000 solar street lighting systems in various villages, gram panchayats, and other agencies in the state.

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