The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) for a third-party feasibility survey and inspection of solar pumps installed in the state under Component-B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) program.

Interested bidders are expected to submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹1 million (~$13,622). The last date for the submission of bids is January 15, 2021.

The scope of work under the tender includes conducting a feasibility survey at sites for installing the pumps, verifying online application documents, conducting technical inspections and verifying installed pump sets, and testing the pumps as per the specifications of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Agencies, including third-party surveyors, consultants, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, agricultural colleges, universities, among others, are allowed to participate in the competitive bidding process.

Prospective bidders must have an office in the state and enough manpower to execute the projects. They are also required to demonstrate their experience conducting large-scale surveys for government or private agencies.  Applicants must also have a minimum average turnover of at least ₹10 million (~$136,223) in the last three financial years and positive net worth.

The KUSUM program envisages installing 1.75 million standalone off-grid solar-powered agricultural pumps with capacities ranging between 3 HP and 7.5 HP.

Under the program’s component B, standalone solar pumps would be installed with the government’s financial support. The solar pump installers would be selected through a competitive bidding process conducted by Energy Efficiency Services Limited.

MEDA said it had been allotted 100,000 solar pumps for farmers in the state under this program. The region/revenue division-wise breakdown is provided below:

Last month, MNRE issued a draft tender to implement Component-B of the PM KUSUM program. It involved the design, manufacture, installation, testing, and commissioning of off-grid solar water pumps of 1-10 HP in selected states across India.

Recently, the MNRE also issued clarifications for the KUSUM program. For Component B of the program, a manufacturer of solar modules, solar pumps, or solar pump controllers can participate in the bidding process. A joint venture of manufacturers and system integrators can also take part in the tender.