Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL) has invited bids to develop 50 MW of solar power projects anywhere in the state.

The scope of work includes design, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the projects. The project developer will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of these projects for eight years post-commissioning.

The last date to submit the bids is January 21, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders must submit a tender fee of ₹25,000 (~$300.56).

Bidders must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹1.5 billion (~$18.03 million) from operations, excluding other income, for the last three financial years.

They must demonstrate access to, or availability of, financial resources such as liquid assets, unencumbered real assets, lines of credit, and other financial means, other than any contractual advance payments to meet: (i) the following cash-flow requirement of ₹750 million (~$9.02 million) and (ii) the overall cash flow requirements for the contract and its current commitments.

As contractors, joint ventures, or sub-contractors, bidders must have executed at least one successful solar project contract in the last ten years where the bidder’s participation value exceeds ₹900 million (~$10.82 million). The reference project must have a minimum capacity of 15 MW.

Bidders can also submit their experience in executing at least two solar projects with 10 MW capacity each in the last ten years, where their participation value under each project should have been ₹600 million (~$7.21 million).

Alternatively, bidders with experience in executing three similar solar projects with 5 MW each capacity, where the participation value in each project was more than ₹300 million (~$3.61 million), can also submit their bids.

They must have also executed the O&M contract for at least one solar project with a minimum 12.5 MW capacity for a year in the last ten years.

Recently, HPPCL invited bids for the empanelment of survey agencies to carry out a detailed topographical survey of solar power project sites in various districts of Himachal Pradesh.

In June this year, the World Bank‘s Board of Executive Directors approved a loan of $200 million to the Government of Himachal Pradesh to help the Indian state achieve its target of adding 10 GW of additional renewable energy capacity and introducing new reforms in its power sector.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, HPPCL has floated 112 MW of solar tenders to date.