The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has tendered 100 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be developed in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The projects will be developed on the Rihand Dam, also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Reservoir, located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The capacity consists of two 50 MW grid-connected floating solar PV projects.

When contacted, a SECI official confirmed that a tender for 100 MW grid-connected floating solar PV projects has been issued.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, procurement, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the grid-connected, floating solar PV project.

When asked about the minimum project capacity a single bidder can bid for, the SECI official said, “A single bidder must bid for at least 50 MW and they also can bid for the entire capacity tendered (100 MW).” About the bid-submission deadline, the SECI official said, “For the deadline, you have to wait till 26^th March”.

In December 2017, SECI had invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from prospective project developers to set up 10 GW of floating solar PV projects in a phased manner during the next three years.

Floating solar PV projects are slowly gaining traction in the country. In the past few months, numerous tenders for small-capacity floating solar PV projects have been issued.

Recently, a 3 MW floating solar PV project was tendered by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) that is set to be developed on the Meghadrigedda Reservoir in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) also tendered a 2 MW floating solar PV project to be installed on the Mudasarlova Reservoir in Visakhapatnam.

Lakshadweep Energy Development Agency (LEDA) has also invited EOIs from the developers and contractors to develop 10 MW of floating solar PV projects in Lakshadweep.

Recently, Mercom also reported that the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) invited EOIs from companies with experience of installing floating solar power projects or those which have the technology to install a 5 MW, large-scale floating solar project in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Mercom previously reported that West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) successfully auctioned a 5 MW, grid-connected floating solar PV project to be developed in the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal.

Image credit: Ciel & Terre International