HPSEBL Invites Bids for 8.33 MW Solar Projects Across Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd. (HPSEBL) has issued a tender inviting bids for the selection of a solar power developer (SPD) to implement grid-connected, ground-mounted solar PV projects across four locations in Himachal Pradesh, with a total capacity of 8.33 MWac.

These projects, to be developed under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, will operate on a net-metering basis. The proposed sites include Kunihar, with a capacity of 1.80 MWac near the 220/132/11 KV Substation; Nalagarh, with 5.7 MWac near the 220/66 KV Substation at Upper Nangal; Mandi, with 0.03 MWac behind the rest camp at Bajaura; and Hamirpur, with 0.8 MWac at the 132/33/11 KV Substation at Khanghain.

Eligible bidders must have prior experience in installing and commissioning grid-connected, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic projects and possess the required technical expertise as outlined in the tender.

The tender process involves a two-part bidding system, with the technical bid evaluating the qualifications of bidders, followed by the financial bid to determine the final developer. Key dates include the pre-bid meeting on January 30, 2025; the start of online bid submission on February 6, 2025; the last date for bid submission on February 13, 2025; and the opening of techno-commercial bids on February 14, 2025.

The cost of the tender document is INR 2,950, including GST, and it can be downloaded from the official HPSEBL portal, where any amendments or updates will also be published.

The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the ground-mounted solar PV projects is based on the project capacity committed by the bidder. For Lot I, the Kunihar project near the 220/132/11KV Substation requires an EMD of INR 6,73,686. Lot II, the Nalagarh project near the 220/66KV Substation at Upperla Nangal, requires INR 21,33,340. For Lot III, the Mandi project behind the rest camp at Bajaura and the Hamirpur project at the 132/33/11KV Substation at Kanghain, the EMD is INR 3,13,665. The total EMD across all projects amounts to INR 31,20,691.

This document outlines the general, technical, and financial eligibility criteria for bidders participating in tenders for ground-mounted solar PV projects. Bidders must be registered companies under the Companies Act, 2013, with consortiums required to form a project company before signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) can execute projects but must retain at least 51 percent shareholding by the bidder. Proprietorships, partnerships, trusts, NGOs, and LLPs are ineligible, and bidders must ensure no wilful defaults or significant pending litigation.

Technically, projects must use commercially established technologies approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Annexure-B, with demonstrated cumulative experience in grid-connected solar PV plants, such as 900 kW capacity with at least two projects of 180 kW each for the Kunihar division. Additionally, commissioned projects must have operated satisfactorily for at least one year. Financially, bidders must meet criteria for net worth, annual turnover, and liquidity, for example, a minimum net worth of INR 67.36 lakhs, an average annual turnover of INR 1.13 crore over the last three financial years, and working capital or a line of credit of INR 1.35 crore for the Kunihar project. Financial capabilities of affiliates or consortium members can support eligibility, backed by board resolutions for equity and guarantees. Interested bidders may refer to the document for more details.