The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has issued tender inviting bids to develop of 1,350 MW of solar projects across 30 districts. The projects are to be implemented under the Mukhyamantri Solar AG feeder Program for giving daytime power to agricultural consumers.

According to the tender documents, projects of 50 MW capacity each will be developed in 24 districts or circles and 25 MW each across six districts or circles. MSEDCL will enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with successful bidders for 25 years.

Projects are going to be selected for an aggregate capacity of 50 MW or 25 MW depending on the districts. The selection of projects would be technology agnostic, modules with or without trackers can be installed.

Successful bidders are expected to develop the solar projects and arrange transmission and distribution network up to the delivery point. Developers will also be responsible for open access charges payable.

The minimum individual project capacity to be developed per district or circle is 2 MW. The maximum project capacity to be developed per district or circle is 10 MW.

Projects are to be commissioned within 18 months from PPA signing. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for bidders has been set at ₹500,000/MW ($6,920).

MSEDCL has set a ceiling tariff for bids at ₹3.15/kWh ($0.044).

The last date of submission of bids is 21 September 2019.

Maharashtra has made efforts to solarize agriculture in the state.

 In June 2019, Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) retendered 750 MW of projects to cater to the agricultural (AG) feeder load of various substations across the state. This tender was originally issued in June 2018; however, due to poor response, the tender was delayed and re-issued. MAHAGENCO has reduced the upper tariff ceiling for this tender from ₹3.25 (~$0.0477)/kWh to ₹3.23 kWh.

Mercom had also reported that all the grid-connected solar PV projects developed under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana in Maharashtra would not be required to pay property tax for 30 years.

In December 2018, MAHAGENCO had issued two tenders (50 MW each) for 100 MW of grid-connected solar projects to be developed in the western region of the state. The upper tariff ceiling for both the tenders was ₹3.05 (~$0.04318)/kWh.

 

Shaurya is a staff reporter at MercomIndia.com with experience working in the Indian solar energy industry for the past four years in various roles. Prior to joining Mercom, Shaurya worked with a renewable energy developer and a consulting company. Shaurya holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.