Thirty companies have won Hubballi Electricity Supply Company’s (HESCOM) auction to commission 80 solar power projects totaling 423.7 MW, along with their associated 11 kV lines and remote monitoring systems under the RESCO mode.

The successful bidders include Sri Srinivasa Constructions, Ravindra Energy, Solar91 Cleantech, Nithin Sai Constructions, Mahaveer Electro Mech, G G Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath, Savio Bio Organic and Fertilizers, Shri Mallikarjun Petroleum, Anil Patted Solar Energy, and Lovedales Edutech.

The winning tariffs range from ₹2.70 (~$0.0299)/kWh to ₹2.99 (~$0.0331)/kWh, much lower than the levelized ceiling tariff fixed by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission at ₹3.07 (~$0.0340)/kWh.

The tender was issued in August last year.

The purpose of the tender is to solarize electricity feeders and substations in HESCOM areas.

The selected bidders consider a maximum capacity of 6.5 MW per 11kV bay for 220/110kV/11kV substation and 4.5 MW per 11kV bay for 33/11kV substation, nearer to the delivery point.

The projects must have an annual capacity utilization factor of 19%.

The scheduled commercial operation date is 12 months from the date of signing the power purchase agreement.

The scope of work includes site survey, land arrangement for 25 years, design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the projects and associated 11 kV transmission infrastructure for 25 years from the commercial operation date.

Developers must also be responsible for grid connectivity, metering, remote monitoring, power injection at the agreed tariff, obtaining all statutory approvals, ensuring compliance, and technical and quality standards.

The projects must use indigenously manufactured solar modules as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers List I.

In December last year, HESCOM invited bids to set up 108 MW grid-connected solar projects in five districts of Karnataka under Component C of the PM-KUSUM.

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