MSEDCL Retenders for Procurement of 1350 MW Solar Power

• MSEDCL has tendered for the procurement of 1350 MW solar power for a second time. The tender had yielded only one bid for 5 MW the first time it was issued.

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has issued its tender for the procurement of 1350 MW solar power for a second time. The projects which are proposed to be developed across 30 districts in Maharashtra had yielded only one bid for 5 MW the first time the tender was issued.

The scope of work for the selected developers will include setting up of the solar projects, including the transmission and distribution network, up to the delivery point at their own cost. It will also include acquiring necessary approvals, permits, and clearances. The tender adds that the selection of projects would be technology agnostic within PV technology. This implies that projects would be selected regardless of the technology used in the solar modules and irrespective of whether they come with trackers or not.

The last date for bid submission is January 29, 2019, and the techno-commercial bids will be opened on the same date. All bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 1 lakh per MW of quoted bid capacity.

As per the new Request for Selection (RfS) the MSEDCL has raised the ceiling tariff for the projects from Rs 3.15/kWh to Rs 3.30/kWh. The tender document further states that projects of 50 MW capacity would be developed in 24 districts or circles. Projects of 25 MW capacity will be installed across six districts.

To be eligible for participating in the bidding process, the bidders must have a net worth of at least Rs 5.5 crore/MW per quoted capacity and a minimum annual turnover of Rs 2.5 crore in the last financial year.

MSEDCL had previously petitioned with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 5 MW solar power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ connected to the distribution network for meeting its solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).

In the petition, the Discom has revealed that bid for one district (Baramati) with bidding capacity of 5 MW, was the only one it has received in response to its tender issued on August 31, 2019, for procurement of 1350 MW of solar power from 2 to 10 MW capacity projects to be connected to distribution network in 30 Circles.