The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) wants to procure grid connected solar power from projects in interstate or intrastate locations representing a combined capacity of 500 MW under phase-VI.

In a request for selection (RFS) round launched on May 6, 2021, the utility said it will procure power from such projects on long term basis to fulfill its renewable power purchase obligations (RPO) and to meet future power requirements. It will enter into 25-year power purchase agreements (PPA) with the winners for a fixed tariff.

Projects can be located anywhere in the country. While MSEDCL is looking for an aggregate capacity of 500 MW under the tender, for intrastate projects the minimum project capacity is specified as 10 MW at a single location with minimum bid capacity of 25 MW. For interstate projects, the minimum project capacity will be 50 MW at a single location with minimum bid capacity of 50 MW.

Solar modules used for projects submitted for consideration under the tender need to adhere to the guidelines of Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar PV Modules (ALMM) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) (see India PV News Snippets: MNRE, Borosil, GUVNL, PGCIL).

The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2021, while the last date to submit technical and financial bids for this tender is June 4, 2021, and technical bids will be opened on June 8, 2021, according to RFS documents on MSEDCL’s website.