Coal India Navikarniya Urja Limited (CNUL), a subsidiary of Coal India (CIL), has invited bids to select a contractor for the design, engineering, procurement, and construction of a 35 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic project and associated transmission system in West Bengal.

The selected contractor will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project for 5 years which will be developed at one location in Satgram (Kalidaspur 10 MW) and two locations in the Kunustoria (Mahabir 12.5 MW and Amritnagar 12.5 MW) of Eastern Coalfield (ECL), West Bengal.

The solar power generated will be used by ECL for captive consumption.

The supply and erection of the transmission network will be undertaken by West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDC).

The last date for the submission of the bids is February 22, 2023. Bids will be the opened on the following day.

The estimated cost of the work is ₹2.05 billion (~$25.1 million).

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹5 million (~61,056).

The selected bidder must ensure the net electrical energy guaranteed generation and capacity utilization factor of the plant is 71.106 million units and 23.19%, respectively, for the first year with allowable degradation of 0.7% in subsequent years.

Bidders must have a minimum working capital of ₹411.7 million (~$5 million). They must submit a performance security of 3% of the contract amount.

The estimated cost for the 12.5 km transmission line is ₹80 million (~$976,857.2).

ECL has planned to evacuate the power generated from the 10 MW Kalidaspur solar plant at 33 kV level through 33/6.6 kV ECL substation at Kalidaspur.

The power generated from Jorsha More Colony will be brought to Kalidaspur substation where it will be metered.

The generated power from Amritnagar project will be evacuated to Mahabir Colliery via a 3 km overhead transmission line. The combined generation in Mahabir Colliery will be evacuated using a 3.5 km double circuit 33 kV cable to the existing WBSEDC 33 kV overhead line near Raniganj substation (the line connecting Bogra and Ranigaunj).

In March 2022, CNUL, on behalf of Bharat Coking Coal, invited bids for the design, engineering, procurement, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of an associated transmission system of a 25 MW grid-connected solar project at Bhojudih Coal Washery in Purulia, West Bengal.