SECI Invites Bids For 2,112 kW Rooftop Solar Projects Under RESCO Mode

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has released a Request for Selection (RfS) inviting bids from Solar Power Developers to set up 2,112 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects under the RESCO mode. This project will be awarded through a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The RfS, dated November 29, 2024, outlines the deployment at four locations: New Delhi, Tirupati, Calicut, and Raipur.

Bidders are required to register on the ISN-ETS portal to participate. The process involves a two-stage bidding system, with both technical and commercial proposals submitted online. The Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) varies based on project capacity. For instance, the EMD for the 1,200 kW project in Calicut is ₹10.8 lakh. The EMD must be submitted in the form of a bank guarantee or other acceptable financial instruments. A Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹3,375 per kW is also required.

The bid submission deadline is 2^nd January 2024, and the bid opening date is 7^th January 2025. Bidders must submit their documents by this date to be considered. The pre-bid meeting, another critical milestone, will be scheduled and announced through the SECI portal.

For successful bidders, the projects must be commissioned within nine months from the effective date of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Early commissioning is allowed, but it is subject to mutual agreement. The PPAs, lasting 25 years from the date of commissioning, must be signed within 60 days of the Letter of Award (LoA).

The scope of work includes obtaining necessary clearances, installation, and ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) for the project’s lifetime. Bidders are encouraged to leverage government incentives like tax holidays and accelerated depreciation but are solely responsible for securing them.

The EMD and PBG requirements are critical, with provisions for their forfeiture if obligations like timely PPA execution or project commissioning are not met. The PBG ensures project completion and is refundable upon successful commissioning, subject to any penalties for delays.

Interested bidders must pay a bid processing fee of ₹6,000, including GST. This amount is non-refundable and can be paid via NEFT, RTGS, or demand draft. The PBG submission and payment of service charges to SECI are mandatory before signing the PPA.