JVVNL Issues Tender For Solarization Of Agricultral Feeders

JVVNL Issues Tender For Solarization Of Agricultral Feeders

Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) has issued a tender for the solarisation of feeders. The Jaipur discom plans to establish decentralized solar projects within its jurisdiction under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) mode to undertake the project. The Rajasthan state agency has now issued a tender for this purpose. The deadline for bid submissions is January 3, 2025.

JVVNL has issued the Component C tender under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The tender also requires the integration of these solar projects with a Remote Monitoring System (RMS). Additionally, it mandates that developers connect their solar projects to 33 KV or 11 KV agricultural feeders.

CUF Commitment

According to the JVVNL tender, the successful bidders will be selected based on the lowest tariff. The eligible bidder will be required to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a duration of 25 years. The tender specifies that developers must maintain a Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of 19%.

These developers will also be eligible for central subsidies amounting to 30% of the estimated cost of the solar power plant. This translates to approximately ₹1.05 crore/MW (30% of ₹3.5 crore/MW). JVVNL has identified 1,844 plants with a total solar capacity of 5,120 MW. Out of this, the Jaipur discom has already floated tenders for 1,103 MW. The discom plans to issue this tender to add new capacities for the remaining portion.

Solar Module Capacity

“The Project shall provide for deployment of Solar PV Technology using Crystalline Silicon or Thin Film or CPV, with or without Trackers. Only commercially established and operational technologies can be used to minimize technology risk and achieve the timely commissioning of the Project,” the tender stated.

Feeder Solarisation in India 

Previously, a similar tender was issued in Bihar, where the state is focusing on solarising feeders as a method of decarbonizing irrigation. Several other states, such as Maharashtra, have also made significant progress in advancing feeder-level solarisation.

This approach ensures additional income for farmers by leasing their lands for such projects, provides an overall boost to solar adoption in rural areas, and offers benefits to RESCO companies through profits generated from solar energy. This makes it more attractive compared to off-grid solar solutions.