In a bid to accelerate clean energy adoption and reduce industrial carbon footprints, a Maharashtra government-owned renewable energy firm has launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a 2 MW rooftop solar project at a major dairy facility in Nagpur.
The initiative is part of a broader trend in the region to integrate rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems into industrial energy portfolios, supporting both sustainability goals and operational cost reduction. The RFP was issued by Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT), an arm of the state’s public sector infrastructure vehicle, inviting qualified developers to design, install and operate a grid-connected solar PV system on the Amul Dairy Plant campus in Nagpur. Under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model, the selected partner will be responsible for the entire 25-year lifecycle of the project — from system engineering and commissioning to long-term maintenance.
Officials from renewable energy planning emphasise that such industrial rooftop solar projects serve multiple purposes: they lower net electricity costs for large power consumers, improve energy resilience, and contribute to climate-aligned electricity generation without adding land use pressures typical of ground-mounted solar farms. For a city like Nagpur — which already leads Maharashtra in rooftop solar installations — this tender reinforces its role as a regional clean energy adopter. The scope defined in the RFP mandates that developers handle complete system delivery, including supply of PV modules, inverters, mounting structures and grid interconnection components, alongside performance guarantees over the contract period. A pre-bid site visit is required to ensure bidders understand local conditions and rooftop constraints before submitting their proposals via the state’s e-procurement portal.
To qualify, bidders must demonstrate prior experience in deploying grid-connected solar plants with a capacity exceeding 1 MW, including at least one project over 500 kW, and meet minimum financial criteria tied to net worth and turnover. The evaluation process — spanning technical compliance and financial competitiveness — is designed to attract seasoned renewable developers capable of delivering robust performance over the system’s lifetime. Industry experts note that Nagpur’s expanding rooftop solar footprint aligns with Maharashtra’s renewable policy framework, where clear tariff signals and supportive regulatory norms — such as those set by the state electricity regulator for rooftop PV systems — have helped maintain investor interest and developer confidence.
For the dairy plant operator and surrounding industrial ecosystem, the project is expected to yield long-term benefits by hedging against grid price volatility, reducing operational emissions and setting a precedent for similar renewable deployments across manufacturing and processing facilities. Analysts also highlight the importance of integrating such systems with energy storage and demand response technologies to maximise local load balancing and deepen decarbonisation.
As the bid deadline approaches, with pre-bid discussions already under way, stakeholders in Nagpur’s energy sector will be watching closely. Successful implementation could catalyse further renewables investment in the city’s industrial precincts, reinforcing equitable access to clean power and supporting urban resilience amidst growing energy demand.
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Nagpur Solar Tender Seeks Rooftop Power for Dairy Plant
