USolar Emerges L1 Bidder for 20 MW Floating Solar Project at Maroda Reservoir-2
USolar Clean Energy Solutions Private Limited has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the 20 MW floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be developed at Maroda Reservoir-2 in Bhilai, Durg, Chhattisgarh. The project has been floated by NTPC-SAIL Power Company Limited (NSPCL), a joint venture between NTPC and SAIL, through a domestic competitive bidding process using a single-stage, two-envelope system.
Although USolar submitted a financial bid of ₹127.47 crore, the bidder ranking was not based on the overall project cost. Instead, NSPCL evaluated bids using the lowest cost per unit of estimated annual electricity generation (₹/MU). Based on this evaluation method, USolar secured the top position with a quoted rate of ₹2.90 crore per MU, supported by an estimated annual electricity generation of 43.90 million units (MU).
InSolare Energy Limited emerged as the second-lowest bidder (L2), quoting ₹134.88 crore with an evaluated rate of ₹2.96 crore per MU and an estimated annual generation of 45.54 MU. SLNKO Energy Private Limited ranked third (L3) with a bid of ₹138.30 crore at ₹3.12 crore per MU. Oriana Power secured the fourth position (L4) with a bid of ₹137.71 crore at ₹3.14 crore per MU, followed by Floatex Solar (L5) at ₹139.15 crore with ₹3.17 crore per MU, and BVG India Limited (L6) with a bid of ₹144.61 crore, also evaluated at ₹3.17 crore per MU.
The project is scheduled to be completed within one year. The selected contractor will be responsible for the engineering, design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the floating solar plant. The scope also includes floating platforms, anchoring systems, solar modules, civil, electrical, and mechanical works, as well as the 33 kV underground power evacuation system and a SCADA-based central monitoring system. After commissioning, the successful bidder will also provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for three years.
