MSEDCL had floated 30 district wise tenders on August 31, 2019, to procure 1,350 MW of solar power in 30 circles with project sizes ranging from 25 MW to 50 MW. In spite of repeated extensions of the bid submission deadline, the response to the tender was very poor. Against the total bid capacity of 1,350 MW, only one bid was received for 5 MW and that too by only one bidder. The bid received was for one of the districts, Baramati and Kiran Renewables was found to be technically qualified.
The tariff ceiling for this tender was set at Rs 3.14 per kWh. The tariff was discovered through competitive bidding conducted by the MSEDCL under the state’s Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana. The power procured from this project will be counted towards the fulfilment of MSEDCL’s solar RPO. Considering the recent developments, the MERC observed that MSEDCL might review its bidding conditions to encourage more participation in the bids under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana. MERC reiterated the fact that the distribution licensee should decide the ceiling rate, and no prior approval from the commission is required. However, if MSEDCL is planning any changes in the bidding proposal which deviates from the standard bidding guidelines, then it needs approval from the commission.