Cooperative Dairy Gokul Milk Kolhapur has floated a tender for engineering, procurement, and commissioning (EPC) of a 6.5 MW captive solar power project in Maharashtra.

The last date for the submission of bids is September 25, 2023.

The EPC contractor will be responsible for design engineering, procurement of components, inspections, project installation, and commissioning, along with tasks such as acquiring land, obtaining right-of-way clearances, and liaising with government agencies.

Bidders should submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹3 million (~$36,276).

The successful bidders must furnish ₹6 million (~$72,553) as a performance bank guarantee (PBG).

Bidders must identify the land required for the project at the time of bid submission, and the identified land should be part of a larger solar park.

The proposed solar project must be ground-mounted, and its electricity will be sent to the MAHADISCOM grid at the right voltage level.

The power generated is meant for Gokul Milk’s own use, following the rules for captive power projects, with appropriate wheeling and banking agreements with the distribution company.

Gokul Milk is currently buying power from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL). It intends to replace a portion of this electricity with greener options to align with its sustainability goals.

The project will also be guided and advised by EZOLAR, a consultancy firm based in Belagavi, Karnataka.

To be eligible to participate in the bidding process, bidders must demonstrate experience in acquiring, developing, operating, and maintaining open-access renewable power projects with a combined capacity of at least 25 MW over the last three years.

The bidder should have a track record of developing, operating, and maintaining at least two open-access renewable power projects in Maharashtra, each with a capacity of at least 15 MW.

To ensure that they possess adequate financial capabilities to manage the funding needs for the project, bidders must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

• A minimum annual turnover of ₹450 million (~$5.4 million), according to the most recent audited financial statements.
• The ability to generate internal resources, as demonstrated by a profit before depreciation interest and taxes of at least ₹50 million (~$604,414) for the quoted capacity, as per the latest available audited financial statements.
• Possession of an in-principle sanction letter from lending institutions or banks committing to provide a Line of Credit for a minimum amount of ₹30 million (~$362,657). This line of credit is intended to cover the working capital requirements of the project.

In February, the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (KMF) invited bids to implement a 110 MW solar power project in group captive mode.

In September 2022, the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation issued a tender to procure 20 GWh of solar power per year through open-access projects for five years.