Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) has invited bids for the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of grid-connected solar and solar plus battery storage projects under the Meghalaya Community Intervention Project.

The projects aim to enhance the livelihood of Meghalaya’s rural community through renewable energy systems.

The projects will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has provided a $2 million grant, linked to a loan of $132.9 million to assist the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation (MePDCL).

The proposed grant aims at helping targeted communities by providing solar power, battery hybrid systems (on and off-grid), and rooftop solar systems in schools that are under the scope of the loan.

The scope also includes the installation of solar LED lighting, grid improvement, and buildings.

The last date to submit the bids online is June 7, 2023. Bids will be opened the following day.

Bidders must submit ₹800,000 (~$9,753) as a bid security deposit.

The project must be commissioned within nine months from the date of the issuance of the award letter.

To participate in the bidding process, the bidder – as a contractor, joint venture partner, or subcontractor should have successfully completed similar projects where the value of the bidder’s participation under each contract must be more than ₹50 million (609,535).

Also, bidders should have successfully designed, supplied, installed, and commissioned battery-based hybrid projects, including an energy management system to monitor the photovoltaic output, including a battery energy storage system (BESS). The minimum size of the solar component should be 50 kW, and the minimum size of the battery should be 25 kWh.

Additionally, bidders should have two years of operation and maintenance experience in battery-based hybrid systems, including an energy management system.

The minimum average annual turnover of bidders should be at least ₹95 million (~$1.16 million) during the last three financial years.

Bidders must also demonstrate that they have the financial resources to meet the capital requirement of the subject contract of ₹21 million (~$256,005).

The solar modules and cells used should be made in India. The module model number must be from the latest, including amendments published Approved List of Models and Modules issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Last year, MePDCL issued an expression of interest (EoI) to select consultants for preparing a detailed project report for setting up a 50 MW ground-mounted grid-connected solar project, including a transmission network and substation at Naringre under East Garo Hills in Meghalaya.

Earlier, the government of Meghalaya had invited bids to empanel firms for the design, engineering, and installation of hydro, solar, wind, and biomass projects in the state.

Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker to stay on top of real-time tender activity.