Punjab to Develop 300-Megawatt Solar Power Capacity, Invites Proposal

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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 state government of Punjab has proposed setting up solar power projects with an aggregate capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) in various parts of the Indian state.

State-owned Punjab Renewable Energy Development Agency (PEDA) (Chandigarh, Punjab) has invited proposals under an e-bidding system from the developers of solar power projects to establish, maintain and operate 300-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the state. The solar power generated by these plants will be procured by state-run utility Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) (Patiala, Punjab), under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

According to PEDA, the bidders will have the choice to select any solar, PV-based power generation technology from the various options like crystalline silicon modules, thin film and concentrated PV modules or any other proven technology, which could be sourced from other countries. Of the total 300-MW capacity, 250 MW would be created by developing projects with capacities of 5 to 30 MW. The 50-MW balance would be realized through solar power plants of 1- to 4-MW capacity.

To be eligible to participate in the bid, a bidder should have successfully installed and commissioned at least one grid-connected project with a minimum capacity of 5 MW, which should have been in operation for at least one year. As per the financial criteria set by PEDA, the bidder-firm should have a net worth of $368,000 per MW of the capacity offered. The proposals, along with requisites fees and documents, should be submitted online at www.etender.punjabgovt.gov.in. Submission of Bids is closing at noon Indian Standard Time (IST) on April 25, 2013.

Punjab is endowed with vast potential of solar energy, estimated at 5 to 5.5 kWh/m2 per day of solar insulation levels, with more than 300 sunny days. The state government has taken up initiatives to tap this resource for strengthening renewable power infrastructure in the state by setting up solar energy-based power projects. The Department of Science-Technology-Environment and Non-Conventional Energy Sources (NCES) of Punjab has released a "New and Renewable Sources of Energy (NRSE) Policy-2012" in December 2012 to promote and develop new and renewable sources of energy and to encourage energy conservation measures and efficiency in the state of Punjab.

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