The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) for setting up 40 MW decentralised grid-connected solar projects. The projects falling under component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme will be developed on ground or stilt-mounted structures.
The approved projects will be located five km from UHBVNL’s identified substations on barren or unusable agricultural land. It is necessary to have connections to 33/11 kV, 66/11 kV, and 132/11 kV substations and capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders are required to submit Rs 100,000 per MW as an earnest money deposit in the form of bank guarantee. Within six months of receiving the letter of award (LoA), winning bidders are required to provide UHBVNL with a thorough project report, financial closure papers, and a grid feasibility clearance report. The project is anticipated to be commissioned within 12 months of receiving the LoA. The bid submission deadline is December 27, 2023.
A land area of 4 acres per MW is needed, allowing the utilisation of agricultural land, as long as solar modules are elevated on stilts with ample spacing to prevent any disruption to farming activities. As specified by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Haryana Power Purchase Centre will sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the winning bidders for a period of 25 years, at the levelised tariff of Rs 3.11 per kWh. For the duration of the PPA, developers are required to maintain at least 15 per cent capacity utilisation factor per annum. Furthermore, UHBVNL has mandated the use of indigenously manufactured solar modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.