Tender & Policy Buzz India: MSEDCL Invites Bids To Procure Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Of 500 MW Capacity; MNRE Extends Phase II of Residential Rooftop Solar Program Till March 31, 2026 and More

MSEDCL Invites Bids To Procure Solar-Wind Hybrid Power Of 500 MW Capacity

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has issued an invitation for bids for the long-term purchase of 500 MW of grid-connected interstate wind-solar hybrid power. For a period of 25 years from the project’s anticipated commercial operation date, MSEDCL will engage in a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the successful bidders to acquire wind-solar hybrid power. The deadline for bid submission is November 10, 2022. A single hybrid power plant should have a minimum bid capacity of 50 MW. Bidders must provide an earnest money deposit of Rs 500,000/MW/project in addition to a processing charge of Rs 300,000.

MNRE Extends Phase II of Residential Rooftop Solar Program Till March 31, 2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended Phase II of its ‘Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Program’ to March 31, 2026. The program was extended without additional expenditures of Rs. Rs. 11,814 Crore for both – the residential segment (Component A) and the distribution companies (Component B), as approved. However, after achieving the target, savings from the Central Financial Assistance (CFA), or incentives to distribution companies (DISCOMs), must be used to support additional residential capacity. Last year MNRE has amended the guidelines for Phase II of the rooftop solar project. The Ministry has amended the guidelines to state that the implementing agent should allocate a minimum 10% of the total amount to the lowest bidder. The bank guarantee will be forfeited if the vendor fails to execute the allotted quantity. This will result in the vendor being blacklisted for five year.

Government Is Taking Measures to Make India a Market For Carbon Credits, Says R.K. Singh

According to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) R K Singh, the government is making India a carbon credit market that can be used to reach India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals. The country will use the carbon credits that India generates first to achieve its NDC goals. He said that the remaining carbon credits can be exported. Singh stated that India would like to keep carbon credits to itself as to achieve it’s NDC but we are interested in selling anything beyond what we required. Other countries can also look forward to large quantities of carbon credits available in India. The Minister stated that India is also diversifying its supply chain in solar manufacturing.

MoP Issues Directions to RLDCs for Scheduling Power Under RE Bundling Scheme

The Ministry of Power (MoP), has given directions to regional load dispatch centres (RLDCs), for scheduling power under the renewable electricity bundling scheme. The April 12, 2022 revision of the scheme for flexibility in generation and scheduling of thermal/hydro power stations through bundling with renewable energy and storage power was published. This scheme included clause 6.4 that allowed for the replacement of thermal/hydro power from any generating station by renewable energy power. Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO), has asked for clarification regarding the need for an additional contract/ agreement to schedule power. After examining the matter, it was determined that renewable energy capacity can be installed anywhere and sent to any generating station or beneficiaries. For scheduling power, there is no need for an additional contract/ agreement. The power from the generating station can be sold on the exchange or scheduled to procurers as part of a power purchase arrangement (PPA).

SJVN Green Energy Floats 70 MW Solar O&M Tender in Himachal Pradesh

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, (SJVN), Green Energy tenders for operation and maintenance of 70-MW capacity (AC) Solar plant located in Himachal Pradesh. The plant includes 3 Units – Unit I, which is a 30 MW Kolar; Unit II, a Bhanjal and Kadh of 20 MW each, and Unit III, a Fatehpur grid-connected PV power plant. The bid submitting end date is 31st October and bids will be opened on the same day. EMD/ Bid Security is for 20 MW – Rs. 1.29 Crore, For 30 MW – Rs. 1.88 Crore , For 40 MW – Rs. 2.58 Crore and For 50 MW – Rs. 3.17 Crore. Applicable ETS Bidding-Fee is Rs. 15,000.00 Indian Rupee Excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited Issues Consultancy Tender for 1200 MW Jalaun Solar Park

Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited (BSUL) Issued Tender for Engagement of an expert consultant for providing PMC services to Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited for implementation of Jalaun Solar Park 1200 MW. Online bids (e-tender) are invited in single stage- two-part bidding basis Cover-I: Technical-bid and Cover-II: Financial Bid for and on behalf of Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited; A Joint Venture of NHPC Limited & UPNEDA, from the Domestic bidders registered in India for “Engagement of an expert consultant for providing Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services to Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited for implementation of Jalaun Solar Park 1200 MW” on Open Tender Basis. EMD Amount is Rs. 9,44,000/- (Rupees Nine Lakh Forty-Four Thousand only). Period of Bid Validity 120 days from last date of submission of online bid. Online Bid Submission Closing Date & Time is 18.10.2022 (14:50 Hrs) and Bids (Cover- I) will be opened on 20.10.2022 (15:10 Hrs)

MNRE Issues Clarification on Applicability of CFA for Solar Rooftop Programme Ph-II Under VNM Arrangement

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issues clarification on applicability of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) available under Rooftop Solar (RTS) Programme Phase-II for solar systems installed under Virtual Net Metering (VNM) arrangement. The Ministry is implementing Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II for which the guidelines were issued in August 2019. Under this Programme 4000 MW rooftop solar (RTS) capacity addition is targeted in residential sector through Central Financial Assistance (CFA) by individual household or by GHS/RWA. In this regard, the ministry said that the CFA applicable under RTS Programme Phase-II of MNRE will also be applicable for solar plants set up under VNM arrangement, subject to following conditions: –
i. CFA would be available only for residential consumers of rural areas,
ii. Considering that connected load of a residential consumer in rural areas would generally be not more than 3 kW, each participating consumer under VNM would be allowed to install capacity upto 3 kW and avail subsidy available under RTS Programme Ph-II.
iii. Solar plant installed under VNM shall supply power to the same distribution sub-station (HT or LT side) through which the participating consumers are connected. This will ensure reliable power supply to the participating consumers and other benefits of co-locating power generation and consumption.