Naviya Technologies Renewables, a Mumbai-based solar developer, won the Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency’s (JREDA) auction for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 2 MW grid-connected canal-top solar project at Sikidiri Canal in Ranchi.

The company quoted a total cost of ₹153.27 million (~$1.85 million) for EPC works, a total of ₹17.53 million (~$211,956) for the operation and maintenance contract, and ₹27.12 million (~$327,892) for the net electrical energy generation guarantee (NEEGG) for ten years. The amounts are exclusive of GST.

The breakdown of the EPC costs based on the scope of work is given below:

The tender was first issued in 2019 and has been reissued multiple times thereafter due to the underwhelming response.

The scope of work for Naviya Technologies includes the design, engineering, procurement, supply, and construction of the grid-connected canal-top solar project, along with the testing, commissioning, and evacuation of a 33 kV solar power substation.

The company will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project for ten years.

The transmission line from the canal-top solar project switchyard to the pooling station will be developed by Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL).

JREDA will enter into an agreement with Naviya Technologies within 15 days of issuing the work order.

The company must complete the project within 210 days of receiving the work order.

Naviya Technologies must submit a security deposit of 10% of the EPC contract price within 15 days of receiving the work order and 10% of the EPC contract price as the O&M Bank Guarantee within 30 days from the start of the O&M period. They must also submit a bank guarantee of ₹1 million (~$12,088)/MW against the photovoltaic module warranty.

The canal bank and canal top solar project programs were launched in the financial year 2014-15. Under this program, solar projects have been commissioned in different states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

In July last year, Jharkhand announced the new ‘Jharkhand Solar Policy 2022’, aiming to deploy a cumulative capacity of 4 GW in the state by 2026. The government intends to install 900 MW of floating solar projects and 400 MW of canal-top solar projects under the policy.

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