Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has invited bids for the supply of 20,000 low tension (LT) bi-directional energy meters with Class 1 Accuracy and liquid crystal display and time of day (ToD) facility.

The tender comprises the supply of 6,500 LT single-phase, two-wire, 5-30A bi-directional meters and 13,500 LT three-phase, four-wire, whole current 10-60A static bi-directional meters.

The meters must also be Device Language Message Specification (DLMS) compliant.

A bi-directional energy meter allows consumers and electricity distribution companies to get information on the export and import of energy generated from a solar system and the grid. It also measures the difference between the generator’s supply and the customer’s load demand.

The last date to submit the bids is September 13, 2023. Bids will be opened on September 16.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹34.49 million (~$416,937).

Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹345,000 (~$4,171) and a bid submission fee of ₹44,250 (~$535).

Kerala government public sector undertakings are exempted from submitting the EMD. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with Udyog Aadhar are exempted from EMD as well as the bid submission fees. For new entrants, the EMD amount will be 10% of the original amount.

Bidders must submit six single-phase bi-directional energy meters and three-phase static bi-directional energy meters each for testing at TMR, Pallom, a day before the bid opening.

The successful bidder must provide a minimum five-year guarantee on the meters from the acceptance date of the last consignment by KSEB.

Bidders must have at least three years of experience in manufacturing, testing, and supplying these meters to any of the power utilities in India. The firm should have sufficient financial capacity to manufacture and supply the required number of meters.

They should have a valid BIS certification with the S mark issued by the Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Directorate of India and ISO Certification 9001/14001.

In the last three financial years, the firm should have supplied a minimum of 50% or more of the tendered quantity per annum to any power utility in India.

All the state PSUs and local MSMEs in Kerala will get a price preference of up to 15%, which means they will be entitled to get up to 50% of the order quantity if they can quote a rate within 15% of the L1 price.

The new entrants participating in the tender should have a minimum average annual turnover of 20% of the probable contract amount for the last year. They must submit the latest solvency certificate for an amount equivalent to 25% of the probable contract amount or more.

They must also submit a type test certificate, ISI license, DLMS certification, S Mark, and CMMI level-III appraisal document at the time of bid submission.

The new entrants will be considered for a trial order limited to 10% of the tendered quantity.

In January this year, the Agency for New & Renewable Energy Research and Technology invited bids to procure 1,000 smart energy meters for the Solar City Project implemented in Thiruvananthapuram.

Previously, KSEB invited bids to empanel solar developers to set up 100 MW of grid-connected rooftop and ground-mounted projects.

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