Odisha’s Sambalpur-based Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL), has issued a tender to set up 1.21 MW of solar rooftop systems at its different administrative buildings.

The project is expected to cost ₹44.55 million (~$604,270). Bidders are not required to pay an earnest money deposit (EMD) to place bids. The project must be completed in eight months. The last date for the submission of bids is December 24, 2020.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacture, supply, civil work, erection testing, commissioning, ensuring connectivity permissions are acquired as per state policy. Selected bidders are expected to provide a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for five years after completing the project’s one-year warranty.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have previously completed one similar work worth 80% of the estimated cost of the project, two similar works of 50% of the total cost each, or three similar works amounting to 40% the estimated cost each over the last seven years.

Additionally, prospective bidders are required to have an average financial turnover that of at least 30% of the estimated cost of the project over the last three financial years.

The tender document mentions that the purchase preference will be given to Class-I local suppliers under “Make in India” policy of the government of India. Class-I local suppliers are those who offer products that have local content equal to or more than 50%. The margin of purchase preference (maximum extent to which the price quoted by a Class-I local supplier may be above the L1 price) for a Class-I local supplier is 20%.

Odisha is yet to adopt solar in a big way, though several plans are in the offing. The rooftop solar segment is also yet to take off in the state. According to Mercom Q3 2020 India Solar Market Update, Odisha had 18 MW of installed rooftop solar capacity as of September 2020.

Notably, the Solar Energy Corporation of India recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency to develop solar energy projects in the state.

Meanwhile, Mercom recently reported that the Eastern Coalfields Limited, another fully-owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited, issued a notice inviting tender to set up 1,415 kW of rooftop solar systems at 11 of its premises spread across 26 locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand.