UPNEDA Invites Bids For 110 MW Solar Projects In Kanpur Under Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding

The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has released a Request for Selection (RfS) for selecting solar power developers (SPDs) to set up a 110 MW grid-connected solar PV power project in Uttar Pradesh. The project will be implemented in two locations—35 MW in Kanpur Nagar and 75 MW in Kanpur Dehat.

The tender process will follow a single-stage, two-envelope bidding system under tariff-based competitive bidding. The selected developer will supply power to the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) for 25 years. The project must be implemented on a Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) basis inside the designated solar parks being developed by the Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd. (LSPDCL), a joint venture of UPNEDA and SECI.

The last date for bid submission is May 27, 2025, by 6:00 PM, and techno-commercial bids will be opened on May 28, 2025, at 12:30 PM. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2025, at UPNEDA’s office in Lucknow and will be held in hybrid mode. The e-Reverse Auction (e-RA) date will be communicated later to the eligible bidders.

The non-refundable cost of the RfS document is ₹25,000 plus 18% GST, totaling ₹29,500. The document processing fee varies: ₹1 lakh plus 18% GST for a 35 MW capacity bid, and ₹3 lakh plus 18% GST for a 75 MW capacity bid. These amounts are to be submitted via NEFT/RTGS or in the form of a demand draft/pay order to UPNEDA.

As a financial security measure, an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹8 lakh per MW is required, to be submitted through a bank guarantee. This means an EMD of ₹2.8 crore is required for the full 110 MW project. Additionally, the selected bidders must furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹20 lakh per MW per project before signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). For the full 110 MW capacity, the PBG totals ₹22 crore.

The Scheduled Commencement of Supply Date (SCSD) is defined as 24 months from the Effective Date of the PPA. If the supply is delayed beyond the SCSD, a maximum grace period of 6 months is allowed with daily penalties applied to the portion of capacity not yet supplying power. Failure to commence supply within this extended period will lead to termination of the PPA for the non-operational capacity.

Power purchase agreements must be signed within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Letter of Award (LoA). Early commissioning of the power supply before the SCSD is permitted, with advance notice, and UPPCL may accept early power at the PPA tariff.

This tender aligns with the Ministry of Power’s guidelines dated July 28, 2023, and its subsequent amendments. The entire bidding and communication process will be conducted through the ISN-ETS portal. UPNEDA holds the authority to cancel or amend the tender without assigning any reason. Interested bidders must adhere to all eligibility, technical, and financial conditions detailed in the RfS document.