NTPC Limited has invited applications globally to enlist vendors to procure solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

The tentative capacity for the procurement of solar PV modules in the current financial year has been set at 1 GW, while 2-2.5 GW has been planned for the subsequent years.

The scope of work includes the manufacturing, supply, packing, forwarding, and transportation (for international modules up to the delivery port) of crystalline solar PV modules for bulk procurement. The voltage capacity of the modules should be 1,500V DC. The vendor should have minimum module manufacturing of 200 MW of DC capacity.

The last date for the submission of bids is August 17, 2020.

To take part in the bidding process, the bidder should have manufactured and supplied solar PV modules of capacity 200 MW or above for a single project in the last three years. The reference project of 200 MW or above capacity should have in operation for at least six months prior to the last date of submission of the application. Supply order for rooftop solar of floating solar projects which are grid-connected will also be considered for this.

The bidder can also be a group company, or a holding company, or a subsidiary company of the module manufacturer meeting these requirements.

Regarding the financial criteria, the average annual turnover of the bidders should not be less than ₹3.2 billion (~$42.42 million) in the last three financial years. In case the bidder is not able to meet the annual turnover criteria on its own, its holding company will be required to meet the turnover requirements. The net worth of the bidder should not be less than 100% of the paid-up share capital.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, NTPC has 875 MW of large-scale solar projects in operation, and about 2.1 GW capacity is currently under development.

Recently, NTPC invited bids for 33.6 MW of solar PV modules for a solar project in Solapur, Maharashtra. The scope of work included the manufacturing, supply, packing, forwarding, transporting, and supervising the installation and commissioning of the modules at the project site.

Earlier, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) had invited a request for a quotation to manufacture and supply 74,500 units of multicrystalline solar PV modules for NTPC’s 100 MW floating solar project at Ramagundam in Telangana.