PM-KUSUM: MPUVNL Floats 1200 MW Bid to Solarize Agricultural Feeders

PM-KUSUM: MPUVNL Floats RFP to Solarize Agricultural Feeders

In a significant push to advance solar power adoption in agriculture, the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the installation of 1,200 MW of grid-connected solar power plants under the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeders Scheme, part of the PM-KUSUM-C feeder solarization programme.

The project aims to allow farmers to harness solar energy by installing solar power plants on barren or uncultivable land, thereby providing them with an additional source of income while ensuring reliable, clean electricity for agricultural needs. The solar plants will feed into the grid and supply power to the Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) at pre-defined substations.

MPUVNL-Designated Agency

Under the scheme, individual farmers with grid-connected pumps will receive support to solarize their agricultural operations, aligning with the Government of India’s target of 100 GW of solar capacity. MPUVNL, the designated State Implementing Agency, will facilitate coordination with financial institutions to simplify loan disbursals for the developers.

The RFP seeks bids from Renewable Power Generators (RPGs) to design, construct, and maintain solar power plants over a 25-year period. RPGs are required to secure land, arrange for grid connectivity, and obtain all necessary regulatory clearances. Projects must be located within a 5-km radius of the designated substation, with a land requirement of one hectare per MW.

Long-term PPA

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed under the scheme will last for 25 years. The generated power will be injected at the 11 kV or 33 kV level, depending on substation specifications. The project capacity at each location will be determined based on substation capacity, with MPUVNL reserving the right to adjust capacity by ±20%.

Developers must comply with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines, use indigenously manufactured components listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), and meet specific technical and grid compliance standards, including the installation of ABT-compliant meters and maintaining reactive power balance.

Projects will be eligible for Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of INR 1.05 crore per MW, released in phases based on project milestones. Farmers themselves are exempted from the bid processing fee of INR 5,900 per MW.

The RFP underscores a critical step in India’s renewable energy journey, emphasizing farmer empowerment, grid resilience, and clean energy generation in rural regions.