SECI issue Tender for Selection of Solar Project Developers for setting up of 4.5 MW Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV Projects under RESCO mode – EQ

Summary:

—-

### Key Details at a Glance:

| Parameter | Details |
|———–|———|
| **Total Capacity** | 4455 kW (across 14 client organizations) |
| **Client Organizations** | Central Sanskrit University (multiple campuses), Regional Passport Office Bhopal, Visva Bharati University, IIITDM Kancheepuram, IIIT Bhagalpur |
| **Project Model** | RESCO Mode (Build-Own-Operate) |
| **PPA Term** | 25 years from Commercial Operation Date (COD) |
| **Bid Processing Fee** | ₹6,000 (including GST) – non-refundable after bid opening |
| **EMD (Earnest Money Deposit)** | Varies by project (₹45,000 to ₹18,00,000) – Bank Guarantee / POI / Surety Bond |
| **Ceiling Tariff** | ₹5.00/kWh for all projects (Category A & B) |
| **Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD)** | Category A: 7 months from PPA Effective Date; Category B: 9 months |
| **Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG)** | Category A: ₹3,375/kW; Category B: ₹3,715/kW |
| **Service Charges (to SECI)** | Category A: ₹1,350/kW + GST; Category B: ₹1,485/kW + GST |

—

## 🏢 Client Organizations & Project Capacities

### Category A Projects:
| S.No. | Client | State | Capacity (kW) |
|——-|——–|——-|—————|
| 1 | CSU, Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 80 |
| 2 | RPO, Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 100 |
| 3 | CSU, Thrissur | Kerala | 140 |
| 4 | CSU, Jaipur | Rajasthan | 400 |
| 5 | CSU, Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 90 |
| 6 | CSU, Puri | Odisha | 400 |
| 7 | CSU, Sringeri | Karnataka | 50 |
| 8 | Visva Bharati University | West Bengal | 2000 |
| 9 | IIITDM, Kancheepuram | Tamil Nadu | 375 |
| 10 | IIIT, Bhagalpur | Bihar | 100 |

### Category B Projects:
| S.No. | Client | State | Capacity (kW) |
|——-|——–|——-|—————|
| 11 | CSU, Agartala | Tripura | 200 |
| 12 | CSU, Bhalwal | Jammu | 220 |
| 13 | CSU, Kangra | Himachal Pradesh | 100 |
| 14 | CSU, Devprayag | Uttarakhand | 200 |

—

## 📋 Key Eligibility Criteria

### Technical Eligibility:
– Must use commercially established solar PV technology.
– PV modules must be from **ALMM List I** and cells from **ALMM List II** (MNRE order) – valid at invoice date.
– Minimum declared annual CUF: **15% for Category A**, **13.5% for Category B**.
– Modules must qualify IEC 61215/IS 14286, IEC 61730, and for corrosive areas IEC 61701.

### Financial Eligibility (per project – illustrative):
| Capacity | Net Worth Required | Working Capital / Line of Credit |
|———-|——————-|———————————-|
| 80 kW | ₹7,20,000 | ₹9,00,000 |
| 400 kW | ₹36,00,000 | ₹45,00,000 |
| 2000 kW | ₹1,80,00,000 | ₹2,25,00,000 |

– Net Worth & Working Capital as on FY 2024-25 (audited) or at least 7 days prior to bid submission.
– Consortium allowed – each member must have **non-zero equity**; Lead Member ≥51% shareholding.
– Affiliate support allowed for financial criteria with Board Resolution undertaking.

### Other Eligibility:
– Bidder must be a Company, LLP, Partnership, or Proprietorship (Indian registered).
– Foreign companies **cannot** participate standalone or as consortium members.
– Must comply with **land-border sharing country restrictions** (MoF OM dated 23.02.2023) – registration with Competent Authority required if applicable.
– No willful default, blacklisting, or debarment.

—

## 💰 Financial & Commercial Terms

### Earnest Money Deposit (EMD):
– Bank Guarantee / POI (PFC/REC) / Insurance Surety Bond
– Validity: 12 months from bid submission deadline
– Forfeiture conditions: bid withdrawal, failure to sign PPA, misrepresentation, failure to furnish PBG

### Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG):
– ₹3,375/kW (Cat A) or ₹3,715/kW (Cat B)
– To be submitted **before signing PPA**
– Validity up to 9th March 2023 (note: likely a typo; should be post-COD period)
– Encashable on delays, defaults, or non-compliance

### Service Charges (to SECI):
– 50% within 15 days of LoA
– 50% before signing PPA
– Non-refundable if cancellation due to SPD’s fault

### Tariff & Payment:
– **Fixed tariff** (INR/kWh) for entire 25-year PPA – no escalation
– Ceiling tariff: ₹5.00/kWh for all projects
– Tariff quoted separately for each project
– Statutory variation in taxes/duties may be passed through (but tariff otherwise firm)

—

## ⚙️ Scope of Work & Obligations

### SPD Responsibilities:
– Complete design, supply, erection, testing & commissioning
– Obtaining NOC from DISCOM for grid connectivity & net metering
– Operation & Maintenance (O&M) for full 25-year PPA term (including cleaning, repairs, replacement)
– Insurance, training, permits, licenses
– **Net metering application** must be filed within 90 days of PPA signing, else PPA termination risk

### Energy Supply & Penalties:
– Annual CUF declared at bid stage (min 15%/13.5%)
– Penalty if energy supply falls below lower permissible limit: **50% of PPA tariff for shortfall**

### Commissioning Delays:
– Maximum delay allowed beyond SCD: 6 months (with pro-rata PBG encashment)
– Beyond that, PPA capacity reduced to commissioned capacity; balance terminated

—

## 🔐 Bid Submission Process

### Online (on ETS portal):
– Techno-commercial bid (Formats 7.1 to 7.8A, attachments)
– Financial bid (single levelized tariff per project)
– Digital Signature Certificate (Class III) required

### Offline (physical submission):
– Original Bank Guarantee/POI/Surety Bond for EMD
– Pass-phrases for decryption
– UDYAM certificate (if MSE)

**Deadline for physical EMD:** 2 working days after online bid submission closing date.

—

## 📎 Key Formats to Submit (Annexures)

– **Format 7.1** – Covering Letter
– **Format 7.2** – Power of Attorney (Consortium)
– **Format 7.3A/7.3B/7.3C** – EMD (BG/POI/Surety Bond)
– **Format 7.3D/7.3E/7.3F** – PBG (BG/POI/Surety Bond)
– **Format 7.4** – Board Resolutions
– **Format 7.5** – Consortium Agreement
– **Format 7.6** – Financial Requirements (Net Worth & Working Capital)
– **Format 7.7** – Undertaking (non-defaulter, not blacklisted)
– **Format 7.8 / 7.8A** – Disclosure (related parties)
– **Format 7.9** – Financial Bid Covering Letter
– **Annexure A** – Technical Parameters
– **Annexure C** – Building details
– **Annexure C1** – Checklist for PPA signing
– **Annexure G-I / G-II** – DISCOM intimation & Inspection Report

—

## 💼 Business Points – Key Takeaways for Bidders

| Business Aspect | Action/Implication |
|—————-|——————–|
| **Long-term revenue** | 25-year fixed tariff PPA – predictable cash flow but no escalation. |
| **High technical compliance** | Must use ALMM-listed modules, IEC-certified components, RFID tags – upfront cost implications. |
| **Strict penalties** | CUF shortfall penalty (50% of tariff), delay penalties (PBG encashment), debarment for misrepresentation. |
| **Financial strength required** | Net worth & working capital criteria – can use affiliate support with binding undertaking. |
| **Consortium flexibility** | Allowed but each member must have equity; Lead Member ≥51% and joint liability. |
| **MSE advantage** | Exemption from EMD & processing fee – but must still meet financial criteria. |
| **Land-border restriction** | Entities from bordering countries (including beneficial owners) must register with Competent Authority. |
| **No negotiation** | Tariff is final – L1 determined purely on quoted tariff (tie-breaker: net worth → CUF → draw of lots). |
| **SPV allowed** | Can execute through SPV (≥51% owned by selected bidder) – useful for project finance. |
| **O&M for 25 years** | Must factor long-term O&M costs (cleaning every 15 days, replacement, insurance, remote monitoring). |

—

For more information please see below link: