Under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has issued an invitation for bids to set up and commission distributed solar power systems, which will be connected to the grid, for the solarization of agricultural feeders.
Under this tender, 262,331 pump sets will be covered, and the project will be using the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model. The maximum tariff for the tender is Rs. 2.32/kWh.
The deadline for bid submissions is February 7, 2023, which will be opened on February 9.
Bidders will be required to provide Rs. 100,000/MW as earnest money deposit and a performance bank guarantee in the amount of Rs. 100,000/MW.
Within nine months of the power purchase agreement (PPA) adoption, the project must reach its anticipated commercial operation date. Further, the solar power generator has to get clearance for power evacuation.
Solar modules from manufacturers on the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers must be used by developers.
The minimum generation for the power project’s first 10 years should not be less than 15% of the claimed capacity utilization factor (CUF), and for the following ten years, it should not be less than 20% of the announced CUF.
The winning bidder will also be required to devise the 11 kV line needed to connect the projects with the substations.
Additionally, the developer will be responsible for 25 years of operation and maintenance (O&M) of the project.
Even if the bidder’s project cost/MW exceeds the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s estimate, the maximum central financial aid will be Rs. 10.5 million/MW.
Bidders must have at least one project with a minimum capacity of 1 MW that has been operational for at least a year using commercially established technology.
As of the last day of the prior fiscal year, they ought to have a positive net worth of Rs. 10.5 million.
This tender is open to bidders from nations that share the land with India.
The government had set a goal to solarize 1.5 million grid-connected agricultural pumps with individual capacities of up to 7.5 HP by 2022 under Component C of the KUSUM initiative.
