The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) has issued three separate tenders for a total of 300 MW of grid-connected solar capacity. The capacity will be developed on a public private partnership (PPP) basis to supply power to agricultural (AG) feeders under the Phase-II program. The bid‑submission deadline for the tenders is December 27, 2017.

The largest of the tenders is for the development of 150 MW of grid-connected solar in Western Maharashtra. The capacity will be developed in three phases of 50 MW each. The scope of work includes project design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning.

Successful bidders will be responsible for 25 years of operation and maintenance (O&M) for the projects from the date of commissioning.

MAHAGENCO also tendered 100 MW of grid-connected solar to cater to the AG feeder load of various substations in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The scope of work includes project design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning.

Project capacity will be developed in two phases of 50 MW each.

The smallest tender issued by MAHAGENCO was for the development of 50 MW of grid-connected solar to cater to the AG feeder load of various substations in the Marathawada region of Maharashtra. The scope of work includes project design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning.

To cut down on losses, MAHAGENCO is investing in solar for AG feeders across the Vidarbha, Western Maharshtra, and Marathawada regions of Maharashtra which depend on power to meet their agricultural needs. It has been difficult for MAHAGENCO to maintain a steady supply of cheap power to farmers in these areas.

In India, the cost of solar has fallen below the cost of thermal power in many areas and this appeals to MAHAGENCO, which in the past has had to shut down four of its thermal power projects in Maharashtra due to poor offtake.

Mercom previously reported that MAHAGENCO intended to solarize Maharashtra’s agricultural feeders by constructing 1,500 MW of solar project installations, with capacity at each individual project expected to range from a minimum of 2 MW to a maximum of 50 MW. MAHAGENCO also recently invited expression of interest (EoI) from developers, landowners, and bidders for the development of up to 50 MW of solar power projects that will cater to the state’s agricultural (AG) feeder load.

Image credit: Alison Energy