The Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) has floated a tender for the empanelment of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to install grid-connected rooftop solar systems and small solar projects across the state.

The last date to submit bids is November 20, 2021. The bids will be opened on November 24.

The scope of work includes the design, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing, net metering, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar systems and small solar power projects. The empaneled contractors also have to provide a warranty and annual maintenance contract for five years.

The projects allocated under this tender will range between 1 kW to 500 kW to be installed on various sites, including float rooftops, inclined rooftops, open flatlands, and hilly lands. Of this, solar systems of 135 kW capacity will be installed at District Court Campus, Haridwar. Solar systems with 160 kW capacity will be installed at District Court Campus, U.S. Nagar.

The plant locations could be in plain or remote hilly areas without roads access. The requirements for the installation of solar systems may vary depending on the location of the plant. The bidder should consider the various factors related to transportation and mounting structures for solar modules per different sizes, locations, and types of roofs for installing the solar systems.

Additional dedicated electric cable, wiring, and other systems needed to energize the proposed load according to the requirement of the consumers must be taken into account by the bidder before quoting his rates for the execution of the work.

Bidders are not required to furnish any earnest money deposit for this tender. However, the successful bidders must submit 3% of the total work order values as performance security.

The contractors have to complete the projects within six months from the date of placement of the work order. Contractors failing to perform work within the specified time will have to pay 1% of the unperformed work price per week, subject to a maximum of 10% of the value as liquidated damages.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have experience in the supply, installation, and commissioning of over 100 kW to 500 kW of grid-connected solar power projects with a net metering facility in the previous three years.

Also, the bidders should have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹2.5 million (~$33,361) in the last three financial years.

In October 2020, UREDA invited bids to empanel firms to develop 250 MW of solar power projects.

Mercom had earlier reported that UREDA floated a tender for the empanelment of EPC contractors to develop off-grid and decentralized solar projects.