UJVNL, a government of Uttarakhand enterprise, has invited bids to set up 9.5 MW of grid-connected solar projects near the Kulhal powerhouse in the Dehradun district.

The projects will be connected to the 33/11 kV substation at the Kulhal powerhouse under the Solar Energy Policy of Uttarakhand-2013 for the sale of power to UJVNL.

The last date to submit the bids online is February 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on February 27.

UJVNL has set a ceiling tariff of ₹3.91 (~$0.047)/kWh for the tender.

Bidders will have to submit ₹237,500 (~$2,879) plus 18% GST as a processing fee. Also, bidders will have to furnish ₹4.75 million (~$57,578) as an earnest money deposit.

The successful bidder will have to furnish ₹9.5 million (~$115,157) as a security deposit in the form of a bank guarantee.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹389.3 million (~$4.72 million).

The project must be commissioned within nine months from the date of signing of the power purchase agreement (PPA) between the solar power developer and UJVNL.

The PPA will be signed between UJVNL and the successful bidders within 30 days from the issuance of the letter of award and will be applicable for 25 years after the commercial operation date.

The proposed locations for grid-connected solar power projects near the Kulhal hydroelectric power project are given below:

Bidders should have executed three similar works, each costing not less than 40% of the project’s estimated cost, or two similar works, each costing not less than 50% of the project’s estimated cost, or one project costing at least 80% of the project’s estimated cost for the central government, state governments, public sector undertakings, or private firms during the last seven years.

Also, they should have executed the installation and commissioning, operation and maintenance, or the balance of system of a solar power project or a wind power project of a minimum capacity of 2 MW.

Further, the average annual financial turnover of bidders during the last three financial years should be at least 30% of the project’s cost.

Additionally, bidders should have a positive net worth equal to ₹15 million (~$181,827)/MW and sufficient liquidity in order to sustain the required cash flow for the smooth execution of the project.

The solar project developer will be responsible for entering into a transmission evacuation agreement with UJVNL after the allotment of the project and the signing of the PPA.

According to the tender documents, after the completion of 25 years from the commercial operation date of the project, the project will be handed over back to UJVNL by the developer.

UJVNL has stated that the solar modules to be used in the project must be warranted for output wattage, which should not be less than 90% at the end of ten years and 80% at the end of 25 years.

Recently, the Uttarakhand Government released a draft solar policy that targets 2,000 MW of installed solar capacity and envisages boosting the proportion of solar power in power distribution companies’ energy purchases to 18% by 2028.

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