Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) to empanel agencies for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of distributed grid-connected solar projects of approximately 3.94 MW for agricultural consumers.

The selected agencies must install individual solar systems ranging from 5 kW to 150 kW and provide comprehensive maintenance for seven years.

The last date to submit the bids is May 11, 2022. The bids will be opened on May 18.

The selected bidder will be empaneled initially for one year, which may further be extended based on the agency’s performance and mutual consent between PGVCL and interested empaneled firms.

Bidders will have to submit a non-refundable document fee of ₹17,700 (~$232) and an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹375,000 (~$4,907). For Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the EMD amount is ₹300,000 (~$3,926).

The successful bidder will have to pay a security deposit amount equivalent to 5% of the order value within 15 days after receiving the letter of award.

The project involves solarizing existing water pumps connected to 11 kV agriculture feeders of PGVCL in Visavadi, Zezara, Visnagar, and Bhadroi. The cumulative capacity may be increased or decreased depending on the requirement.

The project commissioning schedule varies depending on the aggregate capacity assigned to the developers, with the lowest capacity granted 90 days and the highest capacity granted 165 days to be commissioned.

In case of delay in any feeder, or the entire project, the developers will be charged a penalty at 0.5% per week or part thereof plus applicable GST and cess on the total order value. This is subject to a maximum of 10% of the total order value plus applicable GST and cess.

Bidders must have a manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, solar pump controllers, grid-tie inverters, or a PV system integrator with three years of experience in off-grid and grid-connected PV systems. They must also have experience installing and commissioning at least one ground-mounted solar PV system of 1 MW aggregate capacity under the SKY program before the bid submission date.

Bidders must have an average annual turnover of ₹16.5 million (~$215,937) and a yearly positive net worth during the last three financial years.

In February this year, PGVCL had invited bids to design, supply, install and commission solar projects with an aggregate capacity of 1.125 MW for agricultural feeders along with the associated 11 kV line and the remote monitoring system under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.

Previously, PGVCL invited bids to design, supply, install, and commission solar projects with an aggregate capacity of 1.024 MW for agricultural feeders.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, PGVCL has floated 754 MW of solar tenders to date.