The Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JDVVNL) has invited bids to install and commission 26 grid-connected solar projects with a total capacity of 66 MW under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program for feeder level solarization.

The projects will be located in Kharchi, Ranawas, Sojat Road, and Sojat City subdivisions of Pali Circle in Jodhpur and developed under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.

The successful bidder must take care of 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 substation, including bay, breakers, and metering systems.

The last date to submit the bids online is October 4, 2023. Bids will be opened on October 6.

Bidders must submit ₹100,000 (~$1,202)/MW as an earnest money deposit.

The successful bidder must also furnish an amount equivalent to ₹500,000 (~$6,011)/MW of the allotted capacity as a performance bank guarantee.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹35 million (~$420,746)/MW.

A power purchase agreement (PPA) for 25 years at the levelized tariff approved by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission 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 from the date 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 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.

If there is 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 two tenders to develop 65.96 MW solar power projects across its different subdivisions in Bikaner under the Component C of the PM-KUSUM program.

Earlier, JDVVNL had floated three tenders to install and commission 39 grid-connected solar power projects with a total capacity of 105.68 MW in the subdivisions of Churu Circle under Component C.

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