181 solar bids pass technical qualification

As many as 181 bidders have qualified the technical round for setting up solar power projects in the state, according to a list put out by the state power utility APTransco. However, the successful bidders will be known only by tomorrow as the power utility is still compiling the list of the lowest bids after opening the price bids Tuesday morning.

Only three bidders failed to qualify on technical grounds while another three were allowed to take part in the process as per the court directions, it said.

The government's invitation for setting up solar plants with a combined capacity of 1,000 Mw in December last year saw even big companies like Lanco, Madhucon and Alhpa Infra Property Limited joining the race.

An official of APTransco said the compilation of the list of successful bidders will be completed only by tomorrow. The utility allows a maximum of 5 Mw solar capacity under each sub-station. As the lowest quoted price is determined at the sub-station level, firms and individuals will be qualified at different price points, according to the officials. Some bidders are said to have quoted more than Rs 9 per unit and they too can be selected if there is no other bid quoting lower price as the government has not fixed any bench mark price.