The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has extended the bid submission deadline for its tender for 1,350 MW (AC) of solar projects across 30 districts under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana. The projects aim at providing daytime power to agricultural consumers.

The new date for the submission of technical and financial bids is October 15, 2019. Earlier, Mercom had reported that September 21, 2019, was the last date for the submission of the bids.

According to the tender documents, projects of 50 MW capacity each will be developed in 24 districts or circles and 25 MW each across six districts or circles. MSEDCL will enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with successful bidders for 25 years. Projects are going to be selected for an aggregate capacity of 50 MW or 25 MW depending on the districts. The selection of projects would be technology agnostic, modules with or without trackers can be installed.

The bidder should identify 100% of the land required for the project at the time of submission of the bid. Moreover, the prospective bidders should have a net-worth of ₹ 5.5 million (~$77,568)/ MW.

The minimum individual project capacity to be developed per district or circle is 2 MW. The maximum project capacity to be developed per district or circle is 10 MW. MSEDCL has set a ceiling tariff for bids at ₹3.15/kWh ($0.044). Projects are to be commissioned within 18 months from PPA signing. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for bidders has been set at ₹500,000/MW ($6,920).

Successful bidders are expected to develop the solar projects and arrange transmission and distribution network up to the delivery point. Developers will also be responsible for open access charges payable.

In June 2019, Mercom had reported that the state retendered 750 MW of grid-connected solar projects to cater to the agricultural feeder load of various substations across the state.

Last year, it was reported by Mercom that all grid-connected solar photovoltaic projects developed under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana, will not be required to pay property tax for 30 years.

Recently, the state issued a tender for the empanelment of vendors to design, manufacture, install, and commission 7,500 solar water pumps of 7.5 HP with the provision of data transfer by automated metering reading (AMR) to MSEDCL’s server. The projects are expected to be set up on sites owned by farmers identified across the state.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.