CREDA Plans Rooftop Solar Under RESCO Mode, Issues Tender

Chhattisgarh State Renewable Development Agency (CREDA) recently invited expressions of interest (EOI) to select bidders to implement 20 MWp grid-connected rooftop solar systems under RESCO model. These projects will be located in registered housing societies in Chhattisgarh. The solar power generated under this project will be sold to registered housing societies in Chhattisgarh. Bids will be accepted until 30th January 2025.

The tender clarified, “The bidder must quote levellized tariffs for each category, i.e., 1-9 KWp; 10-49 KWp; 50-99 KWp; and 100-499 KW.” The document stated, “The developer will be responsible for undertaking the EPC activities of various capacities and connecting them to existing mains/ACDB and interfacing internal electrical loads of the project with the licensee’s network/electrical loads. Comprehensive O&M for 25 operational years for the sale of solar power is also required.”

Scope of Work

The tender mandates the bidder to deposit service charges equivalent to the capacity allocated, at ₹2.00 per watt, to CREDA. The deposit will be used to cover supervision and coordination charges. The charges are exclusive of service tax and any other taxes, levies, or duties imposed by the government, which shall be paid extra as per applicable norms.

According to the tender, the bidders would develop the grid-connected projects in either one or a combination of the following two categories: grid-connected net-metered systems and grid-connected systems for consumption within premises, in line with the CSERC (Grid Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy) Regulation 2019.

The bid would be on a RESCO model for complete engineering and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV project, including operation and maintenance (O&M) of the project for 25 years after commissioning. The levellized tariff quoted by the bidders for 25 years should not exceed ₹4.00 per unit for housing societies.

Each bidder can bid for a minimum capacity of 1 MWp and a maximum capacity of 5 MWp in the state. CREDA reserves the right to allocate the capacity anywhere in the state. The size of each project shall range from 1 KWp to 500 KWp at each location. One project may, however, comprise several rooftop units or clusters of installations in a given area or district. Each rooftop unit can be connected to the grid separately and may have separate meters.