JVVNL Issues Tender For 31 MW Solar Projects Under PM-KUSUM

The Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JVVNL) has called for bids to develop 31.02 MW grid-connected solar projects under ‘Component C’ of the PM-KUSUM meant for the solarization of power grids.

The last date for bidders to submit the bids is February 20, 2023. The bid opening date is February 22. As per JVVNL, 13 solar projects will be developed each having a different capacity but should have more than 50 (11 kV) feeders. The tender document reads that the solar power projects should be completed within 9 months of the execution of power purchase agreements (PPAs).

The JVVNL tender document reads that the solar projects under PM KUSUM will be developed on the RESCO model. The cost has been kept at about Rs. 3.5 crore for every MW.

Conditions Of The Tender

The JVVNL tender document said that the bidders are required to tender Rs. 700,000/MW as earnest money deposit. The successful bidders will then be required to provide a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of Rs. 500,000/MW.

Also, JVVNL said that the successful bidder and Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam (RUVN) will ink a 25-year PPA at the acceptable tariff set by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) within a week of the submission of performance bank guarantee.

The developers should source equipment from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The tender held that the developers will also be responsible for 25 years for operation and maintenance (O&M) of the projects. The developers will also need to provide a remote monitoring system.

JVVNL tender also says that the distribution point for projects up to 2.55 MW are required to be of an 11 kV substation. Similarly for projects above 2.55 MW, distribution point must be a 33 kV substation. Also, the successful bidder must guarantee the capacity utilization factor (CUF) of at least 17 per cent.

Last November, Saur Energy reported that Rajasthan created a Saur Krishi Ajivika Yojna (SKAY) to encourage the development of decentralised solar projects at load centers with primarily agricultural usage in rural areas under ‘Component C’ of the PM-KUSUM scheme.