Answering some of the questions raised by bidders during the pre-bid meeting for floating solar projects at Rihand Dam, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has stated that the solar power developers will have to get the required transmission line constructed by Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL) on a depository work basis. The approximate cost estimated by SECI is as follows:

• Package A (Connectivity at Anpara): ₹245 million (~$5.81 million)
• Package B (Connectivity at Bina): ₹92 million (~$4.18 million)
• Package C (Connectivity at Pipri): ₹245 million (~$5.81 million)

Clarifying the ambiguity in some clauses raised by project developers, SECI has now said that the developer will have to procure the final cost from the UPPTCL directly. SECI has also explicitly stated that it will bear no responsibility in the case of any variation in the above-mentioned cost.

In its clarification of the amendment, SECI stated:

“The matter has been deliberated to UPJVNL (Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) and it is hereby being clarified that, the cost estimate for construction of transmission line has been given by UPPTCL on the basis of current rates. However, +/- 10% variation may occur on the estimated cost.”

The 150 MW (50 MW x 3) of grid connected floating solar power projects at Rihand Dam (also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Reservoir) will be located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.

Previously, Mercom had reported that SECI extended the bid submission deadline of the project to September 28, 2018 from the earlier deadline of May 31, 2018. The bid submission deadline was extended yet again to October 25, 2018 and the techno-commercial bid was opened on October 26, 2018.

In April 2018,  SECI had increased the capacity of this floating solar project tender in the state of Uttar Pradesh from 100 MW to 150 MW. The projects were tendered by SECI in March 2018.

Image Credit: By SolarWriter [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons