NHPC Limited has floated a tender for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 100 MW grid-connected solar project in Rajasthan.

Interested bidders are expected to make an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹33 million (~$450,349). The deadline for the submission of bids is October 17, 2020. The project must be commissioned within 15 months from the date it is awarded.

The scope of work includes the design, construction, installation, and providing material specifications for the project. It also includes providing comprehensive operations and maintenance of the project, transmission lines, and extra-high voltage bays for 10 years from the date the project is commissioned.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have had a minimum average annual turnover of ₹3.98 billion (~$54.3 million) in the last three years. They must also have a working capital of ₹440.28 million (~$6 million).

Their net worth should have been positive and not be lower than their paid-up equity share capital in at least three of the last five years. NHPC did not provide technical eligibility criteria for the tender.

Recently, NHPC invited expressions of interest to empanel agencies for leasing 3,000 acres of land to set up 600 MW of solar power projects in the state of Rajasthan. The scope of work included making arrangements for 3,000 acres of continuous, flat land at a single location in acrid regions of the state (preferably Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Bikaner, or any adjoining districts) on lease for 27 years.

The national hydropower generator has decided to diversify its business to include solar power projects, adding that it would act as an intermediary procurer through solar power developers.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, NHPC Limited has 50 MW of solar projects in operation in Tamil Nadu. It also has another 10 MW of floating solar projects under construction.

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