Odisha to Develop Solar Power Capacity, Invites Bid

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--In a bid to partially reduce the state's dependence on fossil-fuel for power generation and to meet the state's Renewable Power Purchase Obligation, the government of Odisha has proposed setting up solar power projects in various parts of the state. State-owned Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) (Bhubaneswar, Odisha) recently issued preliminary bid documents, inviting developers of solar power projects to establish, maintain and operate a 25-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant in the state. The solar power generated by the plant will be procured by the state government's Grid Corporation of Orissa Limited (GRIDCO), under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

The government of Odisha is formulating a solar policy, which is due to be released within the next two months. The state's Department of Science & Technology, which is finalizing the policy, has targeted a solar power capacity of 80 MW in three years. OREDA will work as the single-window clearance agency for all solar power projects.

The scope of work for the developer of the 25-MW solar plant would involve design, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of the power plant, including all necessary electrical equipment for metering; transmission and evacuation of electricity to the nearest grid; and operation and maintenance of the solar photovoltaic plant for 25 years from the date that the plant is commissioned.

The tender also requires the successful bidder to achieve commercial operation of the power plant within 13 months from the date of signing the PPA, or 15 months from the date that the letter of intent is issued, whichever is earlier.

As per the financial criteria set by OREDA, the bidder firm should have a net worth of at least $12.5 million. The sale of bid documents is closing on February 11, 2013, and the deadline for bid submission is March 7, 2013.

Odisha has a solar power generation potential of 10,000 MW, which is about 85% of the state's total renewable power potential. The potential for solar photovoltaic generation is the highest at 8,000 MW, and it is followed by solar thermal and wind power at 2,000 MW and 910 MW, respectively.

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