The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) according to which the PGCIL will provide project management consultancy services for a transmission system to evacuate power from 1,500 MW of solar projects in Madhya Pradesh.

The solar parks are located in Neemuch, Shajapur, and Agar districts, and the total estimated project cost is ₹556 million (~$7.8 million). The consultancy cost is approximately ₹444.8 million (~$6.3 million).

According to the senior executive of RUMSL, the company will issue a tender for the request for the selection of bidders (RfS) for its solar projects soon. The official also told Mercom that the agreement for providing project management consultancy services is for the internal evacuation power structure.

According to an official document, RUMSL has procured more than 80% of the land, measuring 2,653 hectares.

The senior official said that Agar and Shajapur solar parks would connect to the state transmission unit (STU) while Neemuch solar park would be connected to central transmission utility (CTU) with the power supply to Madhya Pradesh and Indian Railways outside the state. RUMSL has obtained Stage-I connectivity for Neemuch Solar Park.

Recently, Mercom reported that RUMSL invited proposals from interested consultants for setting up solar parks in Madhya Pradesh. The proposal is for six separate scopes of work.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will provide technical assistance for the projects through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA). RUMSL is a joint venture between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL).

In 2018, RUMSL had tendered a total of 1,500 MW of grid-connected solar projects, which were to be developed across three solar parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh. But this is still on hold.

Image credit: By Hbkfromckd108 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

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.