MP govt to invite bids for first solar UMPP in March 2015

The Madhya Pradesh government is likely to commence the bidding process for the 750 MW ultra mega solar power project from March next year, a senior energy department official said here today.
The 750 MW project, which would require an investment of over Rs 4,000 crore, is being developed on public private partnership (PPP).
"We have already completed the ground work of clearances, approvals and the basic feasibility studies. We believe, by March next year, the government will float tenders inviting developers to set up the plants," Deputy Commissioner - Office of the Commissioner (new and renewable energy) Mridul Khare told reporters on the sidelines of Intersolar India summit here.

Thirteen hectares of land spread over four villages of Barseta, Ramnagar, Latar and Badwaar have been chosen for locating the plant in Gurh tehsil of Rewa.
The government plans to execute the project in phases and no single bid will be of less than 250 MW, he said.
"The minimum size of the bid will be 250 MW. We expect the entire 750 MW capacity to be operational by 2017," Khare said.

The project is partly funded, around 50 per cent of the cost by the World Bank, while the developer will have to pump the remaining share, he said.

The electricity from the plant would be available at around Rs 5 per unit, which would be the lowest in the country.
In July, Power Minister Piyush Goyal had said the government would provide fiscal and financial incentives to domestic and foreign players in order to promote generation of renewable energy.