Indian State Agencies Roll Out Ground Mounted & Floating Solar Tenders

Various state-owned agencies in India are looking at expanding their green energy credentials with solar PV capacity on top of the list. Last week, there were at least 4 new tenders launched representing a combined capacity of more than 2.6 GW. 

1.2 GW NHPC call 

NHPC has opened invited solar power generators for 1.2 GW of grid-connected solar PV capacity with Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connectivity under tranche IX Solar (2024-25). An additional 1.2 GW capacity is available under the greenshoe option.  

Land for the projects needs to be identified by the winners. The minimum project size will be 50 MW, and thereafter in multiples of 10 MW. A single bidder stands to win a maximum of 600 MW without the greenshoe option, and 1.2 GW with the greenshoe option.  

Winners will secure a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with NHPC that will then sell the power generated to other buying entities. 

According to the call issued on October 8, 2024, the last date to submit bids is November 4, 2024. 

SJVN’s 200 MW tender 

SJVN’s green energy arm SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) is looking for EPC contractors with land for the development of up to 200 MW AC grid-connected solar PV capacity in Gujarat, under Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL) Phase XXII. The task also includes comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) for 3 years. 

Projects can be set up in Gujarat with a minimum capacity of 50 MW, or higher in multiple of 50 MW. A single bidder stands to win the entire 200 MW on offer. SGEL has entered into a PPA with GUVNL to sell power from this capacity. 

Solar modules for these projects need to be sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). 

SGEL launched the tender on October 9, 2024 and will accept bids till November 4, 2024.  

DVC’s floating solar project 

Indian hydro and thermal power generator Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has launched a tender for a 10 MW AC grid-tied floating solar PV plant. 

It is proposed to be installed on the Raw Water Reservoirs of Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS), in Chandrapura, in Jharkhand’s Bokaro. 

A suitable bidder should have designed and commissioned a cumulative installed capacity of a minimum 5 MW AC or higher, out of which at least 1 plant should have been a 2 MW AC project at a single location.  

The broad scope of work for the winner will be design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, and commissioning of the 10 MW project.  

Interested bidders have time till November 11, 2024 to submit bids for this call launched on October 8, 2024. Its details are available with tender ID 2024_DVC_210249_1 on the Government of India’s e-procurement portal.  

GAIL’s 7.75 MW AC floating PV tender 

State-owned natural gas company Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) wants to install a 7.75 MW AC floating solar PV capacity in Madhya Pradesh. It will be installed at Vijaipur in Guna district on a lumpsum turnkey basis. 

Along with design, engineering, installation, testing and commissioning of the project, the winner will also be responsible for comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of the project for 5 years post-commissioning. 

Currently, GAIL is operating 2 gas processing units at Vijaipur where it produces LPG, propane, pentane, and Naphtha. The Vijaipur location also hosts GAIL’s 1st green hydrogen plant with a 10 MW capacity to produce 4.3 tons per day. In May 2024, when it inaugurated the green hydrogen project, GAIL said it will set up around 20 MW of ground-mounted and floating PV capacity to power the 10 MW PEM electrolyzer with green energy. 

GAIL will accept bids to its call with tender ID 2024_GAIL_210000_1 launched on October 8, 2024, till October 29, 2024. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2024.  

According to Mercom India Research, various public sector and government agencies launched tenders for 7.6 GW of modules in H1 2024 (see India Expanded Solar Cell Manufacturing Capacity By 2 GW In H1 2024).