APDCL Issues Tender To Procure 50 MW Solar Power From Projects To Be Installed

The Assam Power Distribution Company (APDCL) has issued a request for proposals for procuring power from grid-connected solar power projects that would be built in the state and have a capacity of 50 MW on a build-own-operate basis. 

The deadline for submitting online bids is December 7, 2022, and the day of the bid opening is December 9.

Bidders will be required to provide an earnest money deposit of Rs. 895,000/MW.  Additionally, the winning bidder would be required to provide a performance guarantee of Rs. 2.24 million/MW.

For the tender, APDCL has set a maximum tariff of Rs. 4.40/kWh. The minimum and maximum bid capacities under the tender are 5 MW and 50 MW, respectively. The chosen developer is also responsible for finding and acquiring the necessary land for the projects inside Assam’s boundaries.

Additionally, the developer will be in charge of evacuating power from the project to the closest substation.

Within 18 months of the power purchase agreement’s (PPA) execution, the projects must be put into service.

In no circumstances could the stated capacity utilization factor (CUF) be less than 16.21% over a year. Throughout the PPA’s 25-year term from the start of commercial operation, the generator should continue to provide enough energy to reach CUF in the range of ±10% of its declared value.

Bidders must have successfully supplied, constructed, designed, and commissioned grid-connected solar power plants with a combined installed capacity of 25 MW anywhere in the world over the last 5 years in order to qualify for the tender. 

A minimum of one grid-connected project with a capacity of 5 MW or more should be included in the overall capacity.

The bidders should have had a minimum annual turnover of Rs. 13.42 million/MW in the prior fiscal year. Further, their net worth shall not be less than Rs. 8.95 million/MW of the stated capacity as of the final day of the last fiscal year.

Bidders must have a letter of in-principle approval from the financing institution committing a “Line of Credit” for the working capital need of at least Rs. 1.422 million/MW.

Additionally, as of the final day of the preceding financial year, they must have the potential to generate profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes (PBDIT) of at least Rs. 5.884 million/MW internally.