Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), a state government agency, has issued a tender to procure and set up 1,013 five horsepower (hp) solar-powered water pumps. The bid-submission deadline is January 15, 2018.

The scope of work includes supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 5 HP AC or DC solar water pumps. The successful bidder/s will be responsible for maintenance of the solar-powered pumps for five years as well as free replacement of defective components of solar water pumping systems for a warranty period of five years.

The estimated project cost is ₹481.5 million (~$7.52 million). KREDL will provide the list of farm locations to the bidder/s in batches as and when it is received from the Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). The bidder/s will ensure that commissioning of solar water pumping systems is complete within 120 days from the date of receipt of the beneficiary list.

The bidder/s must submit 10 percent of the contract value as a security deposit in the form of a bank guarantee within one week from the date of receipt of Letter of Intent (LOI). The bank guarantee must be valid for a period of 180 days from the date of the signed agreement.

Recently, states across India have been turning to solar to meet the power demands of agricultural sectors. Mercom previously reported that states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh (UP) have submitted proposals to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to replace a combined 1,067 MW of conventional energy with solar power for irrigation purposes.

In Maharashtra, the state DISCOM, MAHAGENCO, is aiming for 1,500 MW of solar for agriculture feeders across the state. The DISCOM recently issued three separate tenders for a total of 300 MW that will be developed on a public private partnership (PPP) basis to supply power to agricultural feeders under the Phase-II program.

Image credit: Sunsynthesis