APDCL Invites Proposals for Solar Projects Under PM-KUSUM in Assam

The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the development of decentralised grid-connected ground or stilt-mounted solar power plants across rural Assam.

This initiative is being undertaken under Component-A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, which is aimed at promoting solar energy adoption among farmers and rural communities. The last date to submit the proposal is 8th May.

Under this initiative, APDCL seeks to establish solar power plants with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW. These plants are to be developed on barren, uncultivable, or agricultural land located within five kilometers of designated 33/11 kV substations. While the preference is for projects within the specified capacity range, APDCL has indicated that in special circumstances, projects below 500 kW may also be considered.

The scheme is open to individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, Panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Water User Associations (WUAs). These eligible entities, collectively referred to as Solar Power Generators (SPGs), can either undertake the project development independently or in partnership with registered solar power developers. For landowners who may lack the capital or technical expertise, there is also the option to lease land to solar developers. Lease terms, including rental rates and energy-based payments, can be mutually agreed upon, and lease payments may be facilitated directly by APDCL from the revenue stream.

To maximise land use efficiency, the scheme allows for the use of cultivable land if the solar installations are raised on stilts, thereby enabling simultaneous agricultural activity below the panels. Projects must be connected to one of the designated 33/11 kV rural substations as outlined by APDCL. These substations are spread across the state, strategically chosen to support decentralised power generation and reduce transmission losses.

Interested applicants must register through the official portal. Landowners and farmers can upload land details free of cost. However, only one application is allowed per substation per applicant, and multiple applications will result in disqualification. The portal will also serve as the hub for official guidelines, templates, and updates.

Each 1 MW solar plant will require a minimum of 15 bighas of land. Applications are welcome for project capacities between 500 kW and 2 MW, though APDCL may consider smaller capacities in special cases. There are no financial or technical eligibility requirements for farmers or groups of farmers who are self-financing their projects. However, developers leasing land must demonstrate a net worth of INR 1 crore per MW, certified by a Chartered Accountant, and must also have experience in executing grid-connected solar projects of at least 500 kW capacity within the last seven years.

Consortiums of up to two members, or three if a farmer is included, are permitted. In such cases, the lead member must fulfill the financial qualifications, while the other member must meet the technical experience criteria. Developers must be registered companies under the Companies Act and may form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the project, provided they maintain at least 51 percent shareholding until the end of the first contract year. In case of consortiums, the collective equity stake must be 51 percent, with the lead member holding at least 26 percent.

Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of INR 5,000 per MW plus applicable GST. An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 1 lakh per MW must also be submitted in the form of a bank guarantee valid for six months. EMDs of unsuccessful applicants will be refunded within 15 days of the announcement of project allocation. For successful applicants, the EMD will be converted into a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG), valid for 15 months, and refunded after successful commissioning minus any penalties.

Project selection will follow a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the available sanctioned capacity at the substation. If the total capacity requested does not exceed the capacity available at a substation, all eligible applicants will be allocated the project at a levelised tariff approved by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC).

This latest move by APDCL is part of a broader push to support solar adoption in rural Assam, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, and empower local communities through clean energy production. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to India’s renewable energy goals under the PM-KUSUM scheme.