The Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JDVVNL) has invited bids to install and commission 31 grid-connected solar projects with a total capacity of 78.6 MW under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program for feeder level solarization.

The projects, to be developed under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model, will be located in AP Kallu, Jaitaran, Bar, and Pipaliya Kallan subdivisions of Pali Circle in Jodhpur.

The successful bidder must oversee the project’s operation and maintenance for 25 years.

The successful bidder will also be responsible for the supply, erection, and maintenance of the associated 33 kV or 11 kV line connecting the solar project with the nearest substation, including bay, breakers, and metering systems.

The last date to submit the bids online is October 11, 2023. Bids will be opened on October 13.

Bidders will have to submit ₹100,000 (~$1,204)/MW of the quoted capacity as an earnest money deposit.

The successful bidder must also furnish an amount equivalent to ₹500,000 (~$6,021)/MW of the allotted capacity as a performance bank guarantee.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹35 million (~$421,442)/MW.

A power purchase agreement (PPA) for 25 years, at the levelized tariff approved by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), will be executed between the selected bidder and the Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam (RUVNL) within seven days of the submission of the performance bank guarantee.

The project must be completed within nine months of signing the PPA.

Only commercially established and operational technologies can be used to minimize the technology risk and achieve the project’s timely commissioning.

To be eligible, landowners, farmers, and any individual possessing the required land for the project must submit an undertaking certifying the ownership of assets (movable and immovable) of at least 20% of the total cost of the quoted capacity.

The minimum average annual turnover of bidders should be at least 30% of the total cost of the quoted capacity during the last three financial years.

It will be the responsibility of the solar power generator to install the required number of solar panels and associated equipment as may be necessary to achieve the required minimum capacity utilization factor of 19%.

JDVVNL has mandated the use of indigenously manufactured solar modules from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

In the event of a delay in the payment of monthly bills by RUVNL, a late payment surcharge will be payable to the solar power generator at the rate of 1.25% per month on the outstanding amount calculated on a day-to-day basis.

Recently, JDVVNL floated a tender for developing 31.96 MW grid-connected solar power projects under Component ‘C’ of the PM-KUSUM program for feeder solarization.

Earlier, JDVVNL had invited bids to install and commission 26 grid-connected solar projects with a total capacity of 66 MW under Component C of the PM-KUSUM program.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker,  JDVVNL has so far floated tenders for 2.1 GW under Component C of the PM-KUSUM program.