MePCDL issues EoI Tender for 10MW Solar Plant in Meghalaya

MePDCL has issued an EoI for the installation of Decentralized Grid Connected Ground/ Stilt Mounted Solar Based Power Plants in Meghalaya

Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) in the installation of Decentralized Grid Connected Ground/ Stilt Mounted Solar Based Power Plants of capacity 500 KW to 2 MW solar power plants on uncultivable and agricultural land falling within a radius of 5.0 KM from 33/11 KV substations.

This tender has been sanctioned by Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM–KUSUM) program, component A for installing plants 10 MWp allocated for the state of Meghalaya. 

The submission of bids has been fixed till December 1, 2020, and the earnest bid money is Rs 1,00,000 in the form of a Bank Guarantee. 

Solar Power Plants near these 33/11 KV sub-stations may be developed, preferably done by farmers for the utilization of their barren and uncultivable land for solar power plants. Cultivable land may also be used if the solar power plants are set up on stilts where crops can be grown below the stilts and RE solar power shall be sold to MePDCL.

Those solar power generators which have been selected are required to work on the given land and build the related infrastructure for the plants, as well as ensure connectivity from the 33/11 kV substation. All the necessary permissions should also be taken before the commencement of work. 

The PM-KUSUM scheme was introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in order to support the need for installation of off-grid solar pumps in the rural regions, so as to harness solar energy. This will also decrease the dependence on grid and in-grid connected areas. In February 2019, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had signed off on the launch of this scheme so as to provide financial and water security to such projects.