Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has invited bids for the supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 147 MW (in 11 lots) of decentralized solar systems of capacity 2 MW to 10 MW at various substations in Maharashtra.

The tender is open for empaneled applicants only.

The successful bidder will also have to take care of the operation and maintenance activities of the solar systems for 12 years.

The scope of work includes site surveys, design, engineering, procurement, supply of equipment, testing at manufacturer’s works, inspection, packing, civil works, erection, testing, and commissioning of the solar generating systems at the substations. The successful bidder will also have to develop the associated transmission system up to 11 kV or 22 kV at the designated substations.

The last date to submit the bids is October 18, 2021. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The lots (A to K) have been divided based on the 31 separate locations of the substations.

The bidder should have an average annual turnover of at least ₹187 million (~$2.31 million) in three consecutive financial years out of the last four years to participate in Lot A. For Lots B, C, and D, the average annual turnover should be at least ₹231 million (~$3.09 million), ₹227 million (~$3.03 million), and ₹187 million (~$2.49 million), respectively.

For Lots E, F, G, and H, the average annual turnover should be at least ₹160 million (~$2.14 million), ₹147 million (~$1.96 million), ₹200 million (~$2.67 million), and ₹133 million (~$1.78 million), respectively. For Lots I, J, and K, the average annual turnover should be at least ₹133 million (~$1.78 million), ₹173 million (~$2.31 million), and ₹200 million (~$2.67 million), respectively.

Bidders are not required to pay any earnest money deposit. The successful bidder will have to furnish an amount of 10% of the total project cost as a performance bank guarantee within 15 days from the date of issuance of the purchase order.

The engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) work must be completed in 170 days from the date of handover of the site to the contractor.

The solar modules used in grid-connected small solar projects must have a warranty for peak output wattage, which should not be less than 90% at the end of ten years and 80% at the end of 25 years.

In August this year, CEL invited expressions of interest to empanel engineering, procurement, and construction contractors to develop 200 MW of solar projects anywhere in India.

Earlier, CEL had issued a tender for 50 MW of grid-tied solar PV projects ranging from 500 kW to 10 MW in Maharashtra.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, CEL has so far floated tenders for about 302 MW of solar power projects.