NHPC REL has issued a ₹100‑crore tender to install 23.33 MW of rooftop solar across 279 government buildings in Jammu and Kashmir, boosting clean‑energy self‑reliance under the RESCO model. NHPC Renewable Energy Limited (NHPC REL) has launched a significant rooftop solar tender—valued at approximately ₹100 crore—to harness 23.33 MW of solar power on 279 public buildings across Jammu and Kashmir.
Managed by the Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), the project targets departments including law, irrigation, environment and home affairs, under a RESCO model aimed at enhancing energy autonomy. The tender mandates that installations be operational within nine months of award, with technical bids due by 16 July 2025 and opening on 21 July. Bids are grouped into eight categories, reflecting building size and roof suitability. Fees range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per category, with earnest money deposits varying proportionately and performance security set at ₹2,475 per kW.
Eligibility criteria require prior experience in solar project delivery—either through at least 400 kW of completed rooftop systems, including one ≥ 40 kW, or as EPC contractors in relevant fields with contracts worth ₹4 crore or more. Firms must have constructed at least one 11 kV substation, and meet annual turnover benchmarks ranging from ₹71 lakh for smaller clusters to ₹13.6 crore for larger ones, alongside positive net worth in the past two financial years. This project follows NHPC’s earlier tenders: 39.73 MW for rooftop solar in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, and JAKEDA’s own 175 MW empanelment plan for UT buildings, underscoring sustained renewable momentum.
The tender is a strategic component of India’s broader decarbonisation vision. Rooftop solar on public infrastructure offers multiple benefits: reducing carbon emissions, cutting energy costs, and advancing gender-neutral, community-resilient services in line with eco-city goals. Long-term O&M provision (25 years under RESCO) ensures both performance assurance and green job creation . Resilience is central to the model. By generating renewable power on-site, government offices can mitigate risks from unreliable grid supply—especially pertinent in off-grid and remote areas of Jammu & Kashmir, which have experienced long power outages . Additionally, onsite solar installations contribute to decentralised energy infrastructure, reducing transmission losses and bolstering energy equity.
Challenges lie ahead. Successful execution demands coordination across multiple departments, adherence to technical standards, and timely commissioning within nine months. Quality control, module life-cycles and net metering agreements will also be critical to sustaining performance and delivering on financial forecasts. Furthermore, ensuring equitable deployment across urban and rural offices is vital. Smaller institutions may require capacity building to engage in tender processes and interface with developers. Women-led local enterprises could be incentivised through differential bid scoring to meet gender‑inclusive service objectives.
This tender sits within a rapidly expanding rooftop solar ecosystem. As of March 2025, over 2,489 rooftop systems—total capacity 10.38 MW—had been operational in Jammu & Kashmir under federal schemes, with 35 MW added via NHPC’s initiatives. The upcoming 23.33 MW rollout thus marks a significant addition to the region’s clean‑energy portfolio. The long-term payoff is clear: cleaner public buildings, lower energy costs, and progress towards India’s net‑zero ambitions. For Jammu & Kashmir, the tender also offers water‑pump-linked solar potential, ecosystem‑adapted agro‑forestry, and replicable models for other Union Territories. As bid deadlines near, industry watchers anticipate strong developer interest, particularly among firms with RESCO experience and 11 kV substation delivery capacity. The auction’s success could signal robust investor confidence in Kashmir’s green infrastructure sector.
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