Seven companies have won Hubballi Electricity Supply Company’s (HESCOM) auction to commission 13 solar power projects totaling 95 MW in Karnataka under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

The successful bidders include Sri Srinivasa Constructions, Anil Patted Solar Energy, Mahadev Damodar Dixit, Solar91 Cleantech, Suresh Vijaybasappa Patted, G G Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath, and Mailareppa Bhimappa Basidoni.

The winning tariffs range from ₹2.76 (~$0.031)/kWh to ₹2.85 (~$0.032)/kWh, which are below the ceiling tariff of ₹2.89 (~$0.032)/kWh set by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The projects will be developed under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.

The commercial operation date for the projects is set for March 31, 2026.

The tender was floated in December last year.

The scope of work includes the design, supply, survey, installation, testing, and commissioning of the projects to solarize selected agri-feeders at the substation level within HESCOM’s jurisdiction.

The projects also entail setting up 22,000 irrigation pump sets, the associated 11 kV line to connect the plant to the substation, and the remote monitoring system.

MNRE has approved 65,000 IPs to HESCOM under the PM-KUSUM program, and has already allotted 22,000 irrigation pumps.

The projects must use indigenously manufactured solar cells and modules as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers List I.

The projects must ensure an annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) of at least 19%. HESCOM will be obligated to purchase excess power generated up to 10% over the CUF at a 75% rate of the power purchase agreement tariff.

Only commercially established and operational technologies must be used to minimize technology risk and ensure timely project commissioning.

Recently, 30 companies won HESCOM’s auction to commission 80 solar power projects totaling 423.7 MW, along with their associated 11 kV lines and remote monitoring systems under the RESCO mode.

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