A&N: SECI Floats Tender For 30 MW Project Under RESCO Mode

In an effort to provide solar power to the Union Territory (UT) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (EDA&N), the Electricity Department and SECI have issued a tender. SECI requested bids from solar power developers to establish 30 MW grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects in the Union Territory. This project will be executed under the RESCO model. The tender has set October 21st as the deadline for bid submission.

The “RESCO model” refers to a business model where the Project Developer sets up a Rooftop Solar PV Power Project on the rooftop of a building owned by the client organization, by obtaining the right to access or lease the rooftop from the rooftop-owning entity mutually agreed. The Project Developer is responsible for the construction, commissioning, ownership, and operation of the project for the entire term of the PPA at its own risk and cost.

SECI laid down work for solar power developers, which inter alia, includes but is not limited to, obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Distribution Company (DISCOM) for Grid connectivity, complete design, engineering, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing & commissioning of the RTSPV Projects.

SECI outlined the scope of work for solar power developers, which includes the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the project for the term of the PPA. The O&M may include wear and tear, overhauling, machine breakdown, insurance, and replacement of defective modules, inverters, Power Conditioning Unit (PCU), spares, consumables, and other parts for the PPA term.

The tender placed the onus on the developers to obtain net metering and grid connectivity for the project. The ED-A&N (Client Organization) could facilitate connectivity and necessary approvals; however, the entire responsibility lies with the SPD. The tender mentioned, that the SPD is mandated to obtain all necessary permits, approvals, licenses, insurance, etc., and provide training and other items and services required to complete the scope of work mentioned above.

The department added, “The project selected under this scheme provides for the deployment of Solar Photovoltaic Technology. However, the selection of the project will be technology-agnostic. The Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD) for the commissioning of the full capacity of the project shall be 12 months from the Effective Date of PPA (e.g. if the Effective Date of the PPA is 07.03.2025, then SCD shall be 07.03.2026).”

The maximum time allowed for commissioning of the full Project Capacity with applicable penalty is limited to the date as of 6 months from the SCD or the extended SCD (if applicable) In case of delay in commissioning of the Project beyond the SCD until the date. As part of the penalty, the total PBG amount for the Project shall be encashed on a per-day basis and proportionate to the balance capacity not commissioned. For example, in the case of a Project of 2 MW capacity, if the commissioning of 1 MW capacity is delayed by 18 days beyond