MPUVNL continues rooftop solar drive. Issues Tender for 8.5 MW Projects

The Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) has issued a tender worth 8.6 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects under RESCO II model at more than 13 locations across Madhya Pradesh. The 13 locations have been pre-selected by the state department of which 11 are medical colleges. Any institutional sector in Madhya Pradesh is entitled for a state government subsidy of 25 percent.

The scope of work for all winning bidders will include the complete design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and additionally be incharge of successful operation and maintenance of the projects for a period of 25 years. Installers will recover the cost of investment through monthly payment from the end user over the lifecycle of the project set at 25 years.

The state department have also hinted that more locations may very well be added to the list before the bid submission deadline September 28^th, 2018. MPUVNL conducted the pre-bid meeting yesterday, various measures undertaken to encourage developers were highlighted.

Read: MPUVNL Issues Clarification on safeguard Duty on Rooftop Solar Tenders

In a bid to reduce entry barrier, no technical criteria have been included for eligibility. However, every bidding company must have a net worth of ₹1 Crore/MW to participate in the tender. Moreover, no operational performance guarantees are sought from the developers. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) will also provide concessional loans for the project, another effort to encourage participation by the MPUVNL.

Recently, we reported Azure Power, had won 11.2 MW rooftop solar power projects in bids conducted by Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL).

The recently concluded auction held by MPUVNL for the development of 35 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar under RESCO model received a lowest tariff (L1) of ₹1.58/kWh, crushing the previous lowest by more than a rupee.