Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has issued a tender for an off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping system in selected States on a pan-India basis under Component-B of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.

The last date for submission of bids is February 4, 2021. Prospective bidders are expected to pay ₹25,000 (~$ 342.19) towards bidding document cost.

In all, 317,975 pumps are slated for installation across 30 states and five union territories

The scope of work includes design, manufacture, supply, transport, installation, testing, and commissioning of off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping systems (SPWPS) of 1-10 HP, including complete system warranty, repair, and maintenance for five years.

The empanelled firm must install and commission  SPWPS within 90 days of NTP (Notice to Proceed) issuance for general category states. However, for special category states, hill states, union territories, and island union territories, the empanelled firm must complete the installation and commission within 120 days of the NTP issuance.

Only indigenously manufactured photovoltaic modules and pumps should be used in the program. ‘Made in India’ must be mentioned on solar panels and pumps. Systems must meet technical specifications and construction standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards and MNRE.

The winning bidder must ensure timely maintenance of the systems and train a local person while making necessary spare parts and tools available in each district. The vendor must have one authorized service center in each operational district and a helpline in English, Hindi, or the state’s regional language where the SPWPS are installed.

The prospective bidder should be a manufacturer of solar modules, solar pumps, or pump controllers using indigenous technology. Firms involved in engineering, procurement, and construction of similar works can enter a joint venture with the manufacturers.

The bidder’s net worth as on the last day of the preceding financial year (2018-19 or 2019-20) should not be less than 100% of the paid-up share capital. The bidder should be profitable in at least two of the last four financial years.

In 2019, EESL had invited bids for off-grid solar water pump systems across India under (PM KUSUM) program to promote solar in agriculture. In all, 181,200 solar pumps were slated to be installed across the country, categorized under clusters in each state.

In 2019, MNRE had issued an amendment to the guidelines for implementing the KUSUM program, which would help solarize agriculture. Only manufacturers of solar water pumps or solar modules were allowed to participate in the bidding process.