NTPC, on behalf of NTPC-SAIL Power Company (NSPCL), a joint venture of NTPC and SAIL, has invited bids to develop a 15 MW floating solar power project at Maroda reservoir-1 of NSPCL in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

The last date for the submission of bids is February 2, 2024. Bids will be opened the same day.

The project will involve the comprehensive design of a grid-interactive solar power project, encompassing civil, electrical, and mechanical auxiliary systems. It includes creating detailed drawings for foundations, single-line diagrams, installation drawings, electrical layouts, design calculations, and other relevant documents essential for the engineering of all facilities within the project’s scope.

The scope includes the development of a floating solar project, along with the power evacuation system, covering the supply and installation of modules in the designated area.

The project also includes a three-year operation and maintenance period for the solar project, as well as an annual maintenance contract for critical equipment.

NSPCL plans to fund the package through a combination of equity funds and loans.

Bidders have to submit ₹22,500 (~$270.8) as the bidding document fee and ₹10 million (~$120,353) as earnest money deposit.

Participation in this tender is limited to ‘Class-I local suppliers’ and ‘Class-II local suppliers’ only.

Bidders from countries sharing a land border with India are eligible to bid in this tender only if they are registered with the competent authority.

Bidders who are developers or have experience in designing, supplying, and overseeing the erection and commissioning of solar projects with a cumulative installed capacity of 12 MW or more.

Specifically, at least one of these projects should have a capacity of 10 MW or higher, and it must have been operational for a minimum of six months before the date of the techno-commercial bid opening.

Alternatively, bidders should have executed an industrial project in the last ten years as either developers or engineering, procurement, and construction contractors in the power, steel, oil and gas, petrochemical, fertilizer, cement, coal mining (including coal handling project), or any other process industry.

The project should have a value of ₹930 million (~$11.1 million) or more in a single project or work, and it must be in operation for at least one year before the date of the techno-commercial bid opening.

Additionally, bidders should have completed at least one electrical substation of 33 kV or above voltage level, including equipment such as circuit breakers and power transformers of 33 kV or above voltage level. The sub-station should be in operation for at least one year prior to the date of bid opening.

Bidders must have an average annual turnover of not less than ₹930 million (~$11.1 million) for the preceding three financial years as of the date of the bid opening.

The net worth of the bidders, as of the last day of the preceding financial year, must be at least 100% of the bidder’s paid-up share capital. If the bidders fail to meet the net worth criteria independently, they can fulfill the requirement by considering the net worth based on the strength of their subsidiaries or holding companies.

Recently, NTPC invited bids to set up 1,500 MW of ISTS-connected solar power projects across India.

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