MSEDCL Invites Bids From Across The World For Power From 500 Mw

Taking a different path from previous bids, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has invited bids from across the world to procure power from 500 MW of intrastate grid-connected solar power projects (Phase-VII) for 25 years. Previous bids meant for purchase of power were invited from both interstate or intrastate grid connected solar projects.

Permitted to bid online not later than July 18, 2022, a bidder is to submit his earnest money deposit of ₹400,000 (~$5,148)/MW. When a bidder earns selection, he is to furnish ₹1.1 million (~$14,157)/MW as a performance bank guarantee valid for seven months.

The conditions for eligible bidders are as given below.

1. Must have a net worth of Rs 1 crore /MW in the last financial year. Minimum annual turnover should be Rs 35. 2 lakhs/MW during the previous financial year.
2. Bidders should have an internal resource generation capability in the form of Profit Before Depreciation, Interest, and Taxes (PBDIT) for a minimum of Rs 703,400 /MW.
3. The successful bidder must secure grid connectivity with the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company.

Only those projects will be considered as are under construction, not yet commissioned, already commissioned but do not have any long-term PPA with any agency, selling power on a short-term or merchant plant basis.

Although the solar generator is generally assigned the responsibility for the design, finance, procurement of land, engineering, procurement, construction, and operation & maintenance of the project, yet the PPA will lay down the details and have the last word.

The declared capacity utilization factor (CUF) should in no case be less than 19% over a year. The generator should maintain generation to achieve annual CUF within + 10% and ‐ 15% of the declared value till the end of ten years from the commercial operation date. The annual CUF should be a minimum of 17% and within +10% and ‐ 20% of the declared value of the annual CUF after that until the end of the PPA duration of 25 years.