The last week of January 2024 saw different Indian agencies launch solar power tenders for large-scale projects, representing a combined 2,625 MW. 

While the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) tenders are for grid-connected solar power plants, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) wants a project management consultant for 1 GW solar power plant.  

1.125 GW: GUVNL 

The Gujarat government agency GUVNL seeks to procure power from 1.125 GW grid-connected solar power plants to be established in Khavda, Gujarat, without energy storage. The tender makes up the phase XXIII of GUVNL’s solar tender.  

This capacity will be part of the Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited’s (GSECL) renewable energy park stage 3. The minimum capacity to bid for is 100 MW. GSECL has earmarked 12 plots for the entire capacity as 10 plots for 100 MW each and 2 plots for 60.24 MW and 64.76 MW in the north and south blocks, respectively.  

Winning entities will need to set up this capacity on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis. Winners will enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with GUVNL for 25 years. 

According to the request for selection (RFS) documents for the 1.125 GW tender released on January 29, 2024, the last date for offline bid submissions is February 17, 2024. 

500 MW: NTPC REL 

The subsidiary of NTPC Limited, NTPC REL aims to award this 500 MW capacity in an EPC package. This grid-connected capacity will need to be established at Bikaner in Rajasthan in the form of 2 projects of 250 MW each. 

Selected EPC service providers will need to set up the projects with a tracker-based module mounting structure, along with power evacuation up to the project pooling substation take-off gantry. 

Launched on January 29, 2024, the last date to submit bids for this tender is February 28, 2024. The details along with the notice inviting tender no. NRE-CS-5800-004(EPC2)-9 are available on NTPC’s tender website. 

1 GW DC: APDCL 

Assam’s state electricity distribution company APDCL is looking to establish a 1 GW DC/750 MW AC grid-connected solar power plant in Diphu, Karbi Anglong district for which it is looking for a Project Management Consultant (PMC). 

The 1 GW DC Assam Solar Project is to be developed under the state government’s Mukhya Mantri Sauro Shakti Prokolpo scheme, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

The broad scope of work for the winning consultant will be to advise and assist the implementing agency of the project, APDCL, to manage and supervise the sub-projects, providing technical support, administration and implementation of the project. The winner will be responsible for reviewing existing tender documents and assist in preparing new ones and support APDCL in managing the contracts awarded under this project. 

The selected consultant will be hired on a contractual basis, according to the consultancy tender document. Shortlisted consultants will be required to submit a full technical proposal and financial proposal. 

APDCL issued the call on January 27, 2024 and will accept applications till February 25, 2024.