Five companies have evinced interest to set up a rooftop solar power project in Orissa.

The five companies, including Tata Power and L&T, have enquired about the RfQs floated by the nodal agency of the state government, Green Energy Development Company (Gedcol).

The rooftop solar energy project will cost around Rs 50 crore to install equipment to generate five MW power.

The project has been financed by International Finance Corporation (IFC). The last date for applying for the RfQ proposal is 29 April, 2014.

The selected bidder will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the project, which will be installed on the buildings to be specified by the government of Orissa in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The rooftop solar project is being implemented with the aim of reducing the ever-increasing power bills of government offices, agencies, directorates and state PSUs situated in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Later, the scheme will be extended to other districts.