Punjab floats tender for 217 MW solar projects under PM-KUSUM

The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has invited bids from farmers, groups of farmers, panchayats, cooperatives, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and water use associations in Punjab for the construction of 217 MW solar power plants under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme.

The decision emerged as Punjab struggles to find a way out of a tough power crisis that has left the state stranded with expensive thermal electricity and prolonged cuts in supply.

The overall aggregate capacity of the solar power plants would be 217 MW, and installations would be included in Component-A of the PM KUSUM Scheme. The produced solar power would be purchased by Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) for 25 years.

April 5, 2022, is the last date to submit, and the bidding will open on April 6. The bidders have to submit Rs 1,00,000 as earnest money for each bid.

The bank guarantee by successful bidders would be Rs 5,00,000. PEDA has set a tariff cap of Rs 2.748, and solar power projects must be operational within 12 months of receiving awards of the letters.

As per PEDA, a 1 MW solar project would need 4.5 acres, 1.5 MW 6.75 acres, and 2 MW would require 9 acres of land.

PSPCL would connect the solar power projects with an 11 kilovolt line with the closest 66 kilovolt grid substation. An approval from PSPCL by the solar power generator is crucial for this.

The solar power producers would be responsible for laying the transmission line of 11 kilovolt from the solar power plant to the 66 kilovolt line, installing switchgear and metering at the substation.

The successful bidders can also set up the solar power project with a developer's assistance by signing a land lease agreement.

Under the PM-KUSUM Scheme, the government has set a goal of 10,000 MW decentralised, grid-connected, and ground-mounted solar power projects across India.

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