Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JDVVNL) has invited bids to develop 24 solar projects with an aggregate capacity of 60.48 MW under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) program, in various subdivisions of Jaisalmer -Division under Jaisalmer Circle.

The successful bidder must oversee the project’s operation and maintenance for 25 years. They will also have to provide a remote monitoring system.

Under Component C of the PM KUSUM program, the government aims to solarize 1 million grid-connected agriculture pumps of individual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP.

The estimated project cost is ₹35 million (~$426,000).

The last date to submit the bids is April 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on April 26.

Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹100,000 (~$1,217)/ MW. Selected bidders must furnish ₹500,000 (~$6,085)/ MW as a performance bank guarantee.

The solar power generator will enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with JDVVNL for 25 years from the project’s commercial operation date.

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

The developer must connect the projects with an 11 kV substation as the delivery point for projects up to 2.55 MW and 33 kV substations for projects above 2.55 MW.

The selected bidder must ensure a minimum capacity utilization factor of 19%.

The successful bidder will be eligible for central finance assistance at 30% of the estimated installation cost, which is ₹10.5 million (~$127,800)/MW, as per program guidelines issued by MNRE.

The bidder can be a sole bidder or a joint venture of up to two members. A bidder can submit a bid for one or more than one solar project listed in the bid document.

For landowners, farmers any individual with/without required land for the project, an undertaking certifying ownership of movable and immovable assets worth at least 20% of the total cost of the quoted capacity by the bidder must be submitted.

Individuals or firms should have a minimum annual average turnover of at least 30% of the total cost of quoted capacity in the last three financial years.

In January, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam floated a tender for developing 113.2 MW grid-connected solar projects through the RESCO model under Component-C of the PM-KUSUM program.

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