The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recently concluded its latest auction round, awarding contracts for 960 MW of grid-connected solar power projects to various developers.

The tender was floated for 800 MW capacity.

Among the largest winners, the GEPPERT-RAPTI Consortium secured ten projects for a total capacity of 125 MW, each awarded at a tariff of NPR5.49 (~$0.0406)/kWh. The Mountain-Dordi Consortium won seven projects with a combined capacity of 105 MW at the same tariff.

Other significant awards include Golyan Power – Pure Energy JV, which received five projects with a total capacity of 100 MW at tariffs ranging from NPR5.38 (~$0.0398)/kWh to NPR5.51 ($0.0408)/kWh.

Solar Farm secured three projects totaling 90 MW at a tariff of NPR5.50 (~$0.0407)/kWh, while Gogreen Energy won two projects with a combined capacity of 80 MW at tariffs between NPR5.39 (~$0.0399)/kWh and NPR5.44 (~$0.0403)/kWh.

Solaeris Energy won a 50 MW project at NPR5.40 ($0.0400)/kWh. Rapti Urja also secured 50 MW at NPR5.21 (~$0.0386)/kWh. Asian Hydropower was awarded two projects totaling 40 MW, with tariffs of NPR5.39 (~$0.0399)/kWh and NPR5.47 (~$0.0405)/kWh.

Eco Sun Power Development received four projects totaling 38 MW at NPR5.52 (~$0.0409)/kWh. Methi Solar-FutureHolding JV was awarded three projects totaling 28 MW, with tariffs of NPR5.28 (~$0.0391)/kWh to NPR5.54 (~$0.0410)/kWh.

Additionally, 25 projects totaling 254 MW were awarded to other developers at tariffs ranging from NPR5.40 (~$0.0400)/kWh to NPR5.341 (~$0.0400)/kWh.

Bidders were required to commit to a minimum capacity of 1 MW for distribution substations and 10 MW for grid substations. The tender specified that power delivery points must be set at 66 kV or higher for grid substations and 33 kV for distribution substations.

Developers must procure the necessary land for their projects.

To ensure reliability and timely project commissioning, NEA mandated using established and operational technologies, including crystalline silicon and thin-film solar modules.

Projects of 10 MW or less must be operational within 18 months of signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), while larger projects have a 24-month deadline.

The NEA will sign 25-year PPAs with all successful bidders.

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