Tender for 25 MW Canal top Solar Plants in Karnataka Issued Again

SSCL has issued its tender for 25 MW solar plants on the Upper Tanga Canal Stretches passing through the Shivamogga City in Karnataka for a second time.

The Shivamogga Smart City (SSCL) has issued its tender, inviting bids from eligible firms, for setting up of 25 MW solar PV power plants on the Upper Tanga Canal Stretches passing through the Shivamogga City in Karnataka on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) Basis for a second time.

In July, we had first reported that SSCL had invited bids for setting up of 25 MW solar PV power plants on the Upper Tanga Canal Stretches passing through the Shivamogga City in Karnataka. The last date for bid submission was August 8, 2020. However, with the new tender, the last date for bid submission is October 7, 2020, and the techno-commercial bids will be opened on October 9, 2020. The financial bids will be opened on October 22, 2020.

SSCL along with Karnataka Niravari Nigama Limited (KNNL) intends to use the irrigation canal networks passing through the city for implementation of the solar power plants. In this regard, it has decided to develop a 25 MW solar system on the canal top of Upper Tunga Canal through a Public-Private Partnership and supply solar power to Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM).

The Upper Tunga Canal is used for irrigation purposes. It is running through the valley of Gajanur, Shivamogga District in Karnataka. Around 12 km stretch of Upper Tunga Canal passes through the area covered under Shivamogga City Corporation.

The scope of work for the selected developers will include the design, finance, engineering, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance and transfer of the Project under and in accordance with the provisions of the draft PDIA (Project Development and Implementation Agreement) to be entered into between the Developer and KNNL. The developers will have 18 months for completing the commissioning work on the project, upon commissioning will have to provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for the plants for a period of 25 years.

For the supply of power from the project, the Bidder shall enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with MESCOM.

To be eligible for participating in the bidding process, the bidders must have experience of having successfully completed and commissioned at least one solar power plant (free choice of use of technology) with a minimum capacity of 5 MW which must include design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the plant during the last five years preceding the bid due date, which shall continue to be in operation as on date of submission of bids.

Financially, the net worth of the bidder should be at least of Rs 140 crore per annum in the last two Financial Years and shall be profit-making organization during the last two financial years i.e. 2017-18 and 2018-19. And, the annual turnover during the last five financial years for the sole bidder / all the members of the consortium together should be at least Rs 280 crore per annum.