The Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) has invited bidsfor the development of 20 MW of grid-connected solar power capacities at locations of Thamar and Suchen.The capacities will be set up in four plots housing 5 MW each spread across the two locations for which the bidder can submit a single bit. The annual capacity utilisation factor must be at least 17 per cent. In addition to setting up the installed capacity, the developer will be required to set up the transmission network up to the delivery point at their own expense. Further, they will be required to obtain all necessary approvals, permissions, and clearances. The project must also achieve financial closure within seven months of the signing of the power purchase agreement. To be eligible, the developer must have a net worth of at least Rs 10.7 million per MW of quoted capacity. Interested bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 400,000. The deadline for submission of bids is December 17, 2020. A ceiling tariff of Rs 4 per kWh is imposed for 25 years.
Meghalaya has been taking steps to increase its solar capacity; 23 solar tenders have been issued so far. In November 2020, the MePDCL had floated a tender for the development of a 50 MW off-grid rooftop solar power projects in sites across Meghalaya. In the same month, MePDCL had issued an expression of interest for the development of 10 MW of solar projects under Component-A of the PM–KUSUM programme.