The state-owned power company, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is accepting proposals for the development of 100 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects, from independent power producers (IPPs). At 16 specified locations throughout the Himalayan nation, these projects will be implemented.
NEA will acquire the electricity generated by the projects and has established the benchmark rate of NPR 5.94/kWh.
The deadline for proposal submissions is February 26, 2023, and on the same day, the bids will be revealed.
Bidders must provide NPR 400,000/MW as bid security, along with the bidding document cost of NPR 10,000. Additionally, within 28 days after the issue of the work order, selected bidders are required to provide performance security in the amount of NPR 600,000/MW.
The projects that were put out to bid will have a capacity of at least 1 MW, according to the NEA. However, the capacity for this solar tender at some locations might range from 10 MW to 30 MW.
The projects must be completed within 18 months of the power purchase agreement’s (PPA) signing. However, if the developer can commission at least half of the PPA capacity, then it may announce partial commissioning.
Bidders are expected to use commercially proven technology successfully used in at least one grid-connected project for at least a year. They can only employ thin-film modules or crystalline silicon modules.
The transmission line of 11 kV or higher voltage, from the project’s substation to NEA’s substation must be laid by the developer.
The developer must provide specialized transmission lines linked to either the high voltage or low voltage side (>=11 kV) of the corresponding substations to transport energy generated to the NEA substations.
The land required for the project’s construction will be entirely the developer’s responsibility, who will also have to provide evidence that enough land of at least 0.25 hectares per MW is available for project development.
Further, the developer shall make the appropriate arrangements to acquire any additional land that may be needed for equipment installation or other related activities linked to the solar project at NEA’s substation.
To be eligible for the tender procurement, the bidder must have experience in developing and commissioning grid-connected solar power projects with a minimum capacity of 1 MW or 5 MW grid-connected power projects that are not solar projects.
Additionally, to construct solar power projects in Nepal, bidders must obtain a survey license for generating or a generation license given by the Department of Electricity Development.
Earlier India’s state-owned NHPC Limited signed a memorandum of understanding with energy trading solutions company PTC India Limited for the sale of power to be generated from the proposed 750 MW West Seti and 450 MW Seti River-6 projects in Nepal.
