Chandigarh, June 10, 2025 – The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has launched a fresh tender for the solarization of 200 irrigation pumps under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Uthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM). With bids due by June 25 and an earnest-money deposit of ₹5 million, the programme spans three PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited) feeder divisions—Kurali, Peerkot, and Sadhowal—marking a major step toward decentralized, farmer-focused renewable energy in the state.
Under this tender, successful contractors will design, survey, supply, install, test, and commission 200 standalone solar pumping systems, each paired with an existing 3-star energy-efficient AC pump. These systems will operate in hybrid mode, drawing solar power when available and automatically switching to grid supply after sundown or during cloud cover. Importantly, surplus daytime generation will feed back into the grid under net-metering arrangements, boosting rural clean-energy injection and reducing reliance on diesel motors.
Technical and Quality Standards
PEDA has mandated strict indigenous-manufacturing guidelines in line with MNRE directives. Bidders must deploy only domestically produced:
- Solar modules (minimum 19 percent efficiency; ≥90 percent rated output at 10 years; ≥80 percent at 25 years)
- Inverters or pump controllers/variable-frequency drives
- Balance-of-System components and 3-star energy-efficient pumps
All equipment must be commercially proven and in regular operation elsewhere in India, thereby minimizing technical risks and ensuring timely commissioning.
Eligibility and Financial Criteria
To qualify, contractors must have:
- EPC experience in grid-connected or off-grid PV projects, rooftop or ground-mounted
- Completed either three projects costing ≥₹90 million, two costing ≥₹115 million, or one of ₹185 million in the past seven years
- Average annual turnover of at least ₹70 million and net worth of ₹10 million in the last financial year
A tender fee of ₹1,000 and an EMD of ₹5 million help ensure serious participation, with technical and financial bids opened on June 25.
This tender builds on PEDA’s earlier push into mid-scale solar. Just last year, Punjab Genco, a PEDA undertaking, invited bids for two 4 MW solar plants in Bathinda district, underscoring the state’s commitment to decentralized renewable generation. Those projects focused on ground-mounted utility-scale arrays, whereas the current pump-solar focus delivers power directly to farmers—aligning with PM-KUSUM’s dual objectives of clean-power generation and electrification of agricultural loads.
By converting diesel-powered pumps to hybrid solar-grid units, Punjab aims to:
- Slash irrigation costs, eliminating diesel fuel expenses and curbing electricity subsidies
- Reduce rural carbon emissions, as each 5 HP solar pumping system typically displaces 3,400 litres of diesel and cuts about 9 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Strengthen grid performance, injecting clean energy during daylight peaks and smoothing evening demand through net-metered credits
Moreover, by standardizing each pump at 3 star efficiency, the scheme ensures optimal water delivery per kilowatt-hour—critical given Punjab’s groundwater-dependence and energy-intensive agriculture.
Process and Timelines
PEDA will host pre-bid walkthroughs for each sub-division’s feeder zone—Kurali (Banur), Peerkot (Sub-Maur), and Sadhowal (Rangian)—to finalize site surveys. Contractors must secure transparent land-use and grid-interconnection approvals from PSPCL. After bid opening on June 25, PEDA plans to award contracts by early July 2025, aiming for system commissioning by March 2026, ahead of Rabi season water requirements.
Subsequent O&M services over five years will include preventive maintenance, remote performance monitoring, and warranty support—ensuring sustained pump uptime and energy yield.
To know more about how other states are progressing on PM KUSUM scheme, click here.
