The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has amended the tender for a 25 MW solar project in West Bengal, asking bidders to take note of the imposition of the basic customs duty (BCD) on imported solar photovoltaic modules and cells.

The tender for the solar power project at Bhojudih Coal Washery in Purulia in West Bengal was issued by SECI on behalf of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in January this year. The last date for submission of bids was March 10, 2021.

The amendment highlights the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) notification on the imposition of BCD on solar photovoltaic modules and cells with effect from April 1, 2022. Solar modules will attract a BCD of 40% and solar cells 25%.

The MNRE has also directed all implementing agencies and stakeholders to take note of the announcement and include it in the tender documents. Bidders were cautioned to take the BCD into account while quoting tariffs in all future bids.

The SECI amendment notifies bidders to submit their bids taking into account BCD. The imposition of BCD will not be considered a ‘change in the law’ in the power purchase agreement.

In the original tender, the time for commissioning for the 25 MW  project was nine months from the date of the letter of award (LOA). This has been amended to 12 months.

The successful bidder will have to sign an operation and maintenance contract for five years from the date of the award.

BCCL is a government undertaking engaged in the mining of coal and allied activities. It produces the bulk of the coking coal mined in the country. Government-owned coal companies are increasingly looking at solar for their energy needs.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, SECI has floated 9.1 GW of solar tenders on behalf of other organizations.

Mercom’s premium event Mercom India Solar Summit, to be held virtually on April 8 and 9, has an exclusive session on ‘Tenders and Auctions – From Pipeline to PPAs, How We Get There.’ You can click here to register for the event.

Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. More articles from Rahul Nair.