Siemens Gamesa's two solar projects are expected to be commissioned before summer this year. Tamil Nadu, pictured, already has more than 2 GW of solar capacity installed.

With August 11, 2017 set as the bid submission deadline, the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) has invited developers to submit bids for the establishment of a 500 MW solar park in one of India’s leading solar states.

Excluding Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) from the bidding process, TEDA specified that the developer would also be responsible for operation and maintenance of the solar park for a period of 25 years.

Furthermore, TEDA pointed out that land acquisition and financial closure must be completed within six months after signing the agreement with the selected developer, whereas pooling substation, land development and other facilities should be completed within 15 months.

A deadline of 18 months has been set for the developer to establish internal transmission network, ensure grid connectivity, and commission the project.

In the official document, TEDA said that the bidders would be shortlisted based on the rate at which bidders offer developed land to the solar plant developers.

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As reported, in March TEDA invited national and international companies and consortiums to express interest in developing Tamil Nadu’s 500 MW solar park as part of the Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Namely, earlier this year, the central government doubled its 2022 target for solar park capacity from 20 GW to 40 GW as it pledged to develop 50 solar parks between 2019-2020 with its $1.2 billion financial backing.

Tamil Nadu’s new solar park, which is to be developed on a contiguous piece of land around 1,000 hectares in size in the areas with solar irradiance ranging from 5 to 6 kWh/ m2/day throughout the year, is also expected to ensure compliance with the state’s renewable purchase obligation.