CESC, the Kolkata-based power utility company, has invited bids to set up 150 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects.

The last date to submit the bids is March 20, 2023. Bids will be opened the following day.

Bidders will have to submit ₹1.45 million (~$17,544) as an earnest money deposit. They will also have to pay ₹500,000 (~$6,049) + 18% GST for project capacity up to 99 MW and ₹1.5 million (~$18,149) + 18% GST for capacity more than 99 MW as a bid processing fee.

The successful bidder will have to furnish an amount equivalent to ₹3.62 million (~$43,799) /MW/project as a performance bank guarantee.

For each project, the minimum project capacity will be 50 MW. The project must be commissioned within 24 months from the effective date of the power purchase agreement (PPA).

The PPAs will be valid for 25 years.

The developer will be responsible for acquiring the land required to set up the project.

Only commercially established and operational technologies to minimize the technology risk and to achieve timely commissioning of the projects.

CESC has stated that only type-certified wind turbine models listed in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers will be used for the projects. Also, the solar modules to be used for the project must be from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The wind power projects will be developed as per the guidelines issued by the government. For solar modules and the balance of system, the technical guidelines issued by the government from time to time for grid-connected solar projects and the technical guidelines prevalent at the time of commissioning of the project are to be followed.

The net worth of bidders should be at least ₹12.26 million (~$148,339)/MW of the quoted capacity as of the last day of the previous financial year.

The minimum annual turnover of bidders should be at least ₹61.5 million (~$744,113)/MW of the quoted capacity during the last financial year.

Additionally, they should have internal resource generation capability in the form of profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes for a minimum amount of ₹1.23 million (~$14,882)/MW of the quoted capacity as on the last day of the previous financial year.

Further, bidders should have an in-principle approval letter from lending institutions committing a line of credit for a minimum amount of ₹1.54 million (~$18,633)/MW of the quoted capacity toward meeting the working capital requirement of the project.

The declared capacity utilization factor (CUF) should, in no case, be less than 30% on an annual basis. The developer should maintain an energy supply to achieve an annual supply corresponding to CUF not less than 90% of the declared value and not more than 120% of the declared CUF value during the PPA duration of 25 years.

In 2021, CESC had invited bids for the procurement of power from solar and non-solar renewable energy sources in or outside West Bengal on a short-term basis to meet its renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets.

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