The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for setting up of 2 MW of solar projects under RESCO mode at its Avionics Division in Hyderabad.

The project is to be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis, and the last date for the submission of bids is December 9, 2019.

Prospective bidders are expected to pay a sum of ₹2 million (~$28,025.3) as the earnest money deposit (EMD), and the period of execution of these projects is six months.

According to HAL, the project is a part of the defense program for setting up over 300 MW of grid-connected and off-grid solar PV power projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

The scope of work includes setting up a solar PV project, along with the power evacuation network up to the designated point and to the nearest substation within the campus. It also involves the development, construction, synchronization, commission, and operation and maintenance of the 2 MW solar PV power project. The generated power will be sold to HAL for a period of 25 years. As per the tender document, the maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will also be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

The project under the developer mode will be free to procure solar cells and modules under the open category (indigenous or imported).

The entire cost of transmission, including the cost of construction of the lines, wheeling charges, and losses from the project up to the delivery point will be borne by the selected bidder and will not be met or reimbursed by HAL.

Based on the RfS, the selected bidder must submit a performance guarantee for a value of ₹6,000,000 (~$84,076) before signing the power purchase agreement (PPA) or three weeks from the date of issue of Letter of Intent (LoI).

As far as the technical bids are concerned, the successful bidder should strictly comply with the technical parameters. Further, the cells and modules used in the project should be sourced only from the modules and manufacturers included in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), as published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

It should be noted here that recently, the ministry issued a notification shedding light on its earlier order regarding the compulsory registration under the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules. The MNRE has stated that the list would consist of List-1, which specifies the models and manufacturers of solar PV modules, while List-II will specify the models and manufacturers of solar PV cells. Both the lists will come into effect from March 31, 2020.

Moreover, according to HAL, the net worth of the bidder for this tender should be at least ₹10.7 million (~$0.15 million)

The company has committed to install 50 MW of renewable energy power projects to reduce its carbon footprint and has already installed wind and solar power projects of nearly 46 MW capacity.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, Mercom reported that the electronics manufacturing division of HAL issued a Request for Information to identify a potential Indian entity for business cooperation in the electric vehicle charging business.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.