Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has issued a revised Expression of Interest (EoI) for the empanelment of vendors under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The initiative, launched on February 13, 2024, aims to solarize one crore households in Jammu and Kashmir, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. The EoI, released on November 2, 2024, invites applications for site surveys, design, supply, installation, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, with a five-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC).
Interested vendors must submit the EoI by December 15, 2024, at 3:00 PM. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable document fee of ₹10,000 (inclusive of GST) through a Demand Draft favoring the Chief Engineer Distribution, KPDCL. Additionally, qualified vendors must provide a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹2.5 lakh, valid for five years, pledged to the Chief Accounts Officer. New firms are required to furnish an additional Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) or Cash Deposit Receipt (CDR) of ₹1 lakh.
The scheme is open to all types of residential consumers in the union territory, with provisions for net metering and subsidies. Subsidy amounts vary based on the installed solar capacity and average monthly electricity consumption. For example, installations between 1-2 kWp receive ₹33,000 to ₹66,000 from Central Financial Assistance (CFA) and an additional ₹3,000 from the UT government.
The project includes strict technical and financial eligibility criteria. Vendors must have a minimum experience of installing 25 kWp solar systems or possess relevant technical expertise assessed by the screening committee. Equipment such as monocrystalline PV modules, grid-tied inverters, and domestic manufacturing components are mandated to ensure quality and compliance.
This program aligns with India’s commitment to environmental sustainability by aiming to reduce 720 million tons of CO2 emissions over 25 years and boost the local economy through job creation and renewable energy development. The scheme also supports India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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