Madhya Pradesh 35 MW rooftop solar auction gets 31 bidders

New Delhi : A Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (MPUVNL) tender for 35 MW of solar rooftop power has attracted 31 bidders, and fetched a lowest tariff quote of Rs 1.58 per unit attracted by an auction in the country so far, a MPUVNL statement said on Wednesday.

State-run Power Grid Corp, which participated in the tender received the cheapest rate of Rs 1.58 per unit, the statement said.

"Madhya Pradesh's RESCO tender attracted 31 international and domestic bidders, who oversubscribed its 35+ MWp rooftop tender capacity by more than 630 per cent," it said.

According to it, among all government buildings, the lowest rate is for municipal bodies, which would get power at Rs 1.69 per unit.

Tariff of Rs 1.74 per unit has been discovered for medical colleges, which amounts to around one-fourth of what they are paying currently, it said.

"Police establishments all over the state would enjoy power at Rs 2.33 per unit. All government engineering colleges, ITIs and polytechnics would get power at Rs 2.35 per unit. The lowest rate amongst private institutions has been Rs 2.28 per unit," MPUVNL said.

"RESCO model facilitates the beneficiary consumer to enjoy solar power with zero upfront investment and at rates much below the prevailing discom (distribution company) rates

"The beneficiary consumer pays for the electricity as it is generated by the selected contractor, who undertakes design, supply and installation, along with comprehensive operation maintenance for 25 years. The selection of the contractor is made on the basis of the lowest tariff offered in transparent electronic bidding," it added.

The RESCO project in Madhya Pradesh is being implemented as a part of the Centre's Rooftop Solar Programme with support from the World Bank and the International Solar Alliance.