In a significant move towards promoting renewable energy, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL) has invited bids for 800 MW of grid-connected solar projects at the renowned Khavda Solar Park in Gujarat. The bidding process, known as Phase XX, also includes a greenshoe option, allowing for an additional capacity of 800 MW.
Interested bidders have until June 15, 2023, to submit their bids, which will be opened on June 19. To participate, bidders are required to pay a bid processing fee of ₹300,000. Furthermore, an earnest money deposit of ₹400,000 per MW is mandatory to ensure the seriousness of the bid.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish ₹800,000 per MW as a performance bank guarantee after receiving the letter of intent and before signing the power purchase agreement (PPA).
Under the PPA, GUVNL will enter into a 25-year agreement with the winning bidders, starting from the scheduled commercial operation date of the project.
Bidders are allowed to bid for a minimum of 100 MW capacity and in multiples of 100 MW only. It is essential for bidders to have a net worth of not less than ₹8 million (~$96,564) per MW of the capacity quoted.
The solar projects must be designed to deliver energy at the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) periphery. The responsibility of securing the grid connectivity with GETCO or the central transmission utility lies with the successful bidder, who will also be accountable for all expenses, including transmission and wheeling charges and losses between the project and the delivery point.
However, GUVNL will bear all expenses related to wheeling charges and losses beyond the delivery point, as well as transmission and distribution expenses.
To ensure optimal performance, the declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) should not be less than 17%. The winning bidder must maintain generation levels to achieve an annual CUF within +10% and -15% of the declared value for ten years from the commercial operation date. Subsequently, the CUF should remain at a minimum of 15% of the declared annual CUF until the end of the 25-year period.
The solar modules used in the projects must have a warranty for peak output wattage, guaranteeing not less than 90% efficiency after ten years and 80% efficiency after 25 years from the project’s commercial operation date.
To ensure reliability and timely completion of the projects, only commercially established and operational technologies will be accepted.
Moreover, solar modules used in the projects should be sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Notably, bidders from countries that share a land border with India will be eligible to participate in this tender.
With these initiatives, GUVNL aims to drive the adoption of clean energy and boost solar power generation in Gujarat, contributing to the state’s sustainable development goals.
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