Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) has invited bids from project management consultancies to set up grid-connected captive solar projects, including rooftop solar, with an aggregate capacity of 1.2 MW under net metering at various locations of Vijaywada Dharmpuri Pipeline (VDPL).

HPCL currently operates Viskah-Vijayawada-Secunderabad Pipeline (VVPSL) for transporting petroleum oil lubricant products in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As a part of the capacity expansion of VVPSL, the VDPL pipeline stations are being set up to be functional by the financial year FY 2022-23.  These pipeline stations will extend from VVSPL to Vijayawada Booster Station (VBS). HPCL has planned to set up grid-connected solar plants at various VDPL locations.

The locations include three pumping stations, 17 sectionalizing valves, and three intermediate pigging stations.

The last date to submit the bid is April 27, 2022. The bids will be opened on the same day.

The selected consultancy will be responsible for carrying out project management, managing, and controlling all aspects of the project execution to complete the project within the specified time.

The contract term for the project is 18 months from the date of the letter of award, including the project completion period of four months and the balance period for stabilization, documentation, post-commissioning monitoring, and handing over the entire project to HPCL.

Bidders are not required to pay any earnest money deposit for this tender. The successful bidders, however, will have to pay a security deposit equivalent to 1% of the total contract value within 15 days from the date of intimation of acceptance

To be eligible,  bidders must have experience managing similar work for a minimum 100 kW capacity (single plant), ground-mounted, grid-connected solar power plant project anywhere in India during the last seven years ending March 31, 2022. They must have executed three similar works, each costing not less than ₹530,000 (~$6,948.47) or two similar completed works, each costing not less than ₹660,000 (~$8,652.82), or one similar completed work costing not less than ₹1.6 million (~$20,976)

The bidders must have an average annual financial turnover of at least ₹397,000 (~$5,204.55) during the last three financial years ending March 31, 2021.

Last November, HPCL had invited bids from consultants for a feasibility study to develop solar projects for captive use on vacant lands at its operating locations across the country.

HPCL had also invited bids to develop a 1.3 MW ground-mounted solar project at its Yediyur Receiving Station in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, HPCL has invited one consultancy bid for solar projects to date.