SECI Invites Bids for 4 MW Solar PV Project on Elevated NH-709B for NHAI

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) has invited bids for selecting a solar power developer to set up a minimum 4 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project on an elevated section of National Highway 709B, Package-I, for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The tender is part of Phase-I of NHAI's solar power development programme. SECI will conduct the bidding process on behalf of NHAI, with the selected project developer responsible for setting up the facility under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) or Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

Under the arrangement, the selected solar power developer will finance, design, engineer, procure, construct, test and commission the project. The developer will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility throughout the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) period.

The solar project is intended to supply electricity to meet the power requirements of NH-709B, Package-I, and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME), Package-I. NHAI and/or its authorised agencies will procure the electricity generated by the project at the tariff discovered through competitive bidding.

Any surplus electricity beyond NHAI's captive consumption requirements may be sold to the respective distribution companies (DISCOMs) through net metering or group metering, subject to applicable state or Union Territory regulations and policies.

The selected developer will be responsible for obtaining grid connectivity, including net-metering or group net-metering approvals, in accordance with the applicable guidelines of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Central Electricity Authority or concerned DISCOM. NHAI may facilitate connectivity and related approvals, but the responsibility for securing them will rest with the developer.

The developer will also have to arrange the necessary permits, approvals, licences and insurance, besides undertaking civil works, equipment installation and commissioning. Its operation and maintenance responsibilities will include equipment protection, insurance, repairs, replacement of defective solar modules, and maintenance of inverters, power conditioning units and other components throughout the PPA term.

SECI has specified that the project must be developed along the elevated section of NH-709B, Package-I, as identified in the tender document. The allocated project area, covering 90 percent of the identified premises, will be handed over to the successful developer within 15 days of signing the PPA. Any delay in handing over the identified area will result in an equivalent extension of the project commissioning timeline.

The final cumulative project capacity will be determined through the competitive bidding process. The bid processing fee has been fixed at INR 25,000, plus 18 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST). Bidders must also submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) in accordance with the provisions of the Request for Selection (RfS).

SECI has not envisaged separate Central Financial Assistance for implementing the project. The selected developers may avail themselves of applicable fiscal incentives, including accelerated depreciation and concessional customs and excise duties, subject to prevailing provisions.