Rajasthan Discom Launches Several Solar Tenders

• JDVVNL has launched 8 separate tenders for solar PV capacity under component C of PM-KUSUM Scheme 
• It seeks to have 415 solar power plants installed with a combined capacity of 1.12 GW 
• All ground-mounted projects for feeder level solarization need to be installed across Bikaner district 

An electricity utility in the state of Rajasthan, the Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JDVVNL), has invited bids under component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM). 

Component C of the PM-KUSUM scheme relates to the feeder level solarization under which the federal government targets to install 11.2 GW capacity through 1.5 million solar powered agricultural pumps (see MNRE Revises Solar Target Under PM-KUSUM Scheme). 

Under the aegis of the PM-KUSUM scheme's component C, the state of Rajasthan operates the Saur Krishi Ajivika Yojna (SKAY) portal to act as a platform for farmers and landowners to lease out their barren or unutilized land on pre-fixed lease basis for solar power plants. It enables both the farmers and the developers to collaborate for the same. 

JDVVNL says it has already identified 2,973 solar PV plants with a combined 7.94 GW capacity that can be installed under its jurisdiction, making use of 15,880 hectares of land.  

The 8 JDVVNL tenders aim to have a total solar PV capacity of 1.12 GW installed across the district of Bikaner in the form of 415 plants. The largest chunk with 193.64 MW capacity will come up in DD-I division's Bajju, Deshnok and Kolayat sub-divisions. The lowest capacity of 117.3 MW is reserved for Khajuwala in Shri Dungargarh division. All projects need to be ground mounted.  

Broad scope of work for the winners involves design, survey, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the grid-connected plant for 25 years, through Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) mode.  

Referring to a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's (MNRE) order that waives off domestic content requirement (DCR) for indigenous solar cells to be used under component C till March 31, 2024, JDVVNL specifies that winners of these tenders will be required to install modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). 

JDVVNL launched all the 8 tenders on October 12, 2023 with different submission dates, starting from December 4, 2023 till December 27, 2023. Details are available on the website of JDVVNL.