State-run energy generation company in India, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has floated tenders for 250 MW cumulative capacity to come up at Pavagada Solar Park in the state of Karnataka.
The winning bidders will have to use locally sourced solar cells and modules to develop the capacity under the country's domestic content requirement (DCR) policy. India recently lost to the US at World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding its DCR policy for solar under the National Solar Mission (NSM) (see Final WTO Verdict In India-US Solar Dispute). However, the country has already built a pipeline of around 1,800 MW of DCR projects with a cell manufacturing capacity of about 6,000 MW, according to clean energy consultancy Bridge to India. It said, "Demand from these projects should provide breathing room to the existing manufacturers and avoid any immediate repercussions."
The total capacity of 250 MW is spread into five blocks of 50 MW each to be given for design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, installation and commissioning of the capacity won. The selected bidders will also provide operation and maintenance of the plant and transmission system for a period of five years from the date of successful completion of trial run.
The Pavagada Solar Park is set to have a total capacity of 2,000 MW when it is finally complete. In September 2016, NTPC announced the results of its 100 MW capacity tendered for the same park as part of NSM Phase-II, Batch-II, Tranche-I. Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited and Adani subsidiary Parampujya Solar Energy won 50 MW each in this round (see NTPC Tender Results).
Tender documents are available until October 27, 2016 and the date of opening techno-commercial bid is set at December 2, 2016. Details of the tender are available here.