Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) has invited bids to empanel vendors for the rate contract to commission grid-connected solar power projects of 1 kW to 30 kW to solarize 4,000 existing agriculture pumps.

The projects will be commissioned under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Program.

The selected vendors must complete the projects within three months of receiving the work order and also oversee the projects’ maintenance for five years.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹1.4 billion (~$16.86 million).

The last day to submit the bids is March 1, 2024. Bids will be opened on March 4.

Bidders must furnish an interest-free bid bond for an amount of ₹5 million (~$60,219).

Selected bidders must submit 5% of the total value of the work order as a performance security deposit.

Bidders should have solarized a minimum cumulative quantity of 200 individual grid-connected agriculture pumps under PM-KUSUM Component-C or installed solar pumps under Component B from April 1 to February 29, 2024, for government organizations.

They should have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹200 million (~$2.4 million) in the last three financial years.

The bidders’ net worth as of the last day of the last financial year should not be less than 100% of the paid-up share capital.

Bidders have to supply solar variable frequency drive (SVFD) with the solar project. It is to be supplied along with an on-grid inverter. Bidders must ensure that the solar AC pump will also run during the absence of the grid power.

A solar pump inverter, also known as SVFD, helps in converting the direct current of a solar panel into an alternating current.

The SVFD should be able to control the operation of a solar water pump. It should allow farmers to adjust output frequency in real-time as per the intensity of sunlight in order to achieve maximum power point tracking. It should also work in off-grid conditions, should not depend on the grid power, and can generate load independently.

Only modules from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List for Models and Manufacturers must be used. The modules used must have a minimum capacity of 500 Wp and should be warranted for their output peak watt capacity, which should not be less than 90% at the end of 10 years and 80% at the end of 25 years.

In March last year, the Union Territory proposed the installation of 4,000 new solar agricultural pumps in the financial year 2023-24 in its budget presentation.

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