Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam (AVVNL), a power distribution company in Rajasthan, has issued four tenders to set up 768.4 MW of solar power projects under the Component C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.

The projects under Component C of the PM-KUSUM program focus on solarizing agricultural feeders.

The last date for bid submission is April 15, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

The tender involves design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and 25 years of operation and maintenance of grid-connected solar projects and associated 33 kV or 11 kV lines to connect the projects to AVVNL’s substations. Commissioning must be completed within 18 months from the signing of the power purchase agreement.

A total of 339 solar projects are planned across 294 grid substations. The first of the four tenders entails 94 solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 191.18 MW. The second involves 100 solar projects totaling 248.95 MW, the third encompasses 70 solar projects with a capacity of 141.59 MW, and the fourth comprises 75 solar projects with a combined capacity of 186.68 MW.

The projects will be executed in a renewable energy service company (RESCO) mode, wherein developers will be selected based on the lowest levelized tariff quoted for 25 years of solar power supply. The estimated cost of the project is ₹35 million (~$423,000) per MW.

Successful bidders will be eligible for central financial assistance of 30% of the estimated ₹35 million (~$423,000) per MW cost from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which comes up to ₹10.5 million (~$127,000) per MW.

Additionally, to facilitate land procurement, AVVNL has launched the ‘Saur Krishi Ajivika Yojana’ portal for farmers to register their land parcels. Bidders can connect with these registered landowners to arrange land required for the projects.

Bidders must also provide a ₹500 (~$6) non-judicial stamp paper undertaking to guarantee the availability of clear titled land of suitable size for the quoted capacity.

Meanwhile, landowners, farmers, or individuals with the required land must submit a ₹500 (~$6) non-judicial stamp paper undertaking confirming ownership of assets worth at least 20% of the total cost of the quoted capacity. Other entities must show a minimum annual average turnover equivalent to 30% of the total cost of the quoted capacity over the last three fiscal years.

An earnest money deposit of ₹100,000 (~$1,208) per MW must be submitted along with the bid, while the performance bank guarantee is ₹500,000 (~$6,043) per MW.

Last year, Shakti Pumps bagged a ₹1.49 billion (~$17.9 million) contract from AVVNL to supply, install, and commission solar water pumps under Component C of PM-KUSUM.

Earlier, AVVNL had floated a tender to develop 82.94 MW of grid-connected solar power projects under Component ‘C’ of PM-KUSUM for feeder solarization.

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