NLC India has invited bids to set up 500 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar power projects on a pan-India basis.

The successful bidder will also have to take care of the operation and maintenance of the project for three years.

The scope of work includes getting approval for connectivity and long-term access, procurement of land, design, engineering, site development, manufacture, inspection at supplier’s works, supply, insurance, transport, erection, and testing & commissioning of the total awarded capacity along with the associated evacuation system up to the delivery point at ISTS/CTU substation.

The last date to submit the bids is August 24, 2022. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The project must be completed within 15 months from the date of the letter of award.

Bidders must submit ₹109.406 million (~$1.37 million) as bid security for every 100 MW.

As engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors or as developers, bidders should have executed contracts of supply, installation, and commissioning of grid-connected solar power projects of cumulative installed capacity of 30 MW or above within the last seven years. Out of the total capacity, at least one project should have been of 10 MW capacity or above in a single location, which should be in successful operation for at least one year as of the bid opening date.

Alternatively, for the quoted capacity of 100 MW, the bidder should have executed in the last seven years an industrial project either as a developer or as an EPC contractor in the area of power, solar power, steel, oil, gas, petrochemicals, fertilizer, or any other Infrastructural project of value not less than ₹4.4 billion (~$55.13 million), or two projects of value not less than ₹2.75 billion (~$34.45 million), or three works of value not less than ₹2.2 billion (~$27.56 million).

Similarly, for quoted capacities of 200 MW, 330 MW, 400 MW, and 500 MW, the eligibility requirements increase proportionately (for each 100 MW) with the addition of ₹4.4 billion (~$55.13 million) for one industrial project, ₹2.75 billion (~$34.45 million) for two projects, and ₹2.2 billion (~$27.56 million) for three industrial projects.

They should have executed at least one electrical substation of 110 kV or above voltage level, consisting of equipment such as 110 kV or above voltage level circuit breakers and power transformers, either as a developer or as an EPC Contractor, which should have been in successful operation for at least one year before the bid opening date.

Bidders should engage a design consultant with experience in providing consultancy services for developing solar power projects for a minimum of 30 MW or above capacity in a single location in the last seven years.

For the quoted capacity of 100 MW, the average annual turnover of the bidders should be at least ₹1.65 billion (~$20.67 million) in the last three consecutive financial years. For the quoted capacity of 200 MW, the average annual turnover should be ₹3.29 billion (~$41.22 million) in the last three financial years.

Similarly, for the quoted capacity of 300 MW, the average annual turnover should be ₹4.93 billion (~$61.77 million). For 400 MW, it should be ₹6.57 billion (~$82.32 million), and for 500 MW, it should be ₹8.21 billion (~$102.86 million).

Only ‘Class-I local suppliers’ are eligible to participate in this tender. ‘Class-I local supplier’ means a supplier or service provider whose goods, services, or works offered have local content equal to or greater than 50%.

In March this year, NLC India invited bids to set up 100 MW of ISTS-connected solar power projects on a pan-India basis.

Earlier, NLC India had invited bids for the enlistment of domestic EPC vendors to construct ground-mounted solar projects being developed by NLC India and the Coal Lignite Urja Vikas Private Limited.

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