NTPC Renewable Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, has invited bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction package with land development for 500 MW of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) connected solar projects anywhere in India.

The scope of work also includes the operation and maintenance of complete solar projects, including switchyard and power evacuation system until the interconnecting grid substation along with consumables and spare parts for three years from the date of commissioning.

The EPC contractor will also be responsible for the identification, acquisition, and complete transfer of ownership or lease of the land in favor of NTPC Renewable Energy.

NTPC had issued the same tender with the same scope but different qualifying conditions in July 2021.

The last date to submit the bids is March 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The bidders must submit a bid security amount according to the quoted capacities. For bidders quoting 100 MW, the bid security amount is ₹50 million (~$606,243); for 150 MW to 200 MW, bidders must submit ₹100 million (~$1.21 million); and for 250 MW to 500 MW, bidders must submit ₹200 million (~$2.42 million).

Bidders must have developed or designed, erected, commissioned, or supervised these activities for a grid-connected solar power project with a cumulative capacity of 40 MW or higher. At least one project must have been of 10 MW or higher capacity. The reference project must have been in operation for at least six months before the bid opening date.

Alternatively, bidders should have executed an industrial project in the area of power, steel, oil and gas, petrochemical, fertilizer, cement, coal mining, including coal handling plant and/or any other process industry. For bidders quoting 50 MW to 300 MW, the required industrial project cost must be a minimum of ₹2 billion (~$24.23 million). For bidders quoting 300 MW to 500 MW, the industrial project cost must be a minimum ₹4 billion (~$48.46 million).

Bidders must also have executed at least one electrical substation of 33 kV or above voltage as a developer or an EPC contractor, which has been operating for at least the last year.

The average annual turnover for bidders must be ₹2 billion (~$24.23 million) when quoting for 50 MW to 300 MW. For bidders quoting for 300 MW to 500 MW capacity, it must be ₹4 billion (~$48.46 million).

The net worth of the bidders as of the last day of the preceding financial year should not be less than 100% of their paid-up share capital.

In January, NTPC Renewable Energy invited bids for the balance of system package with land for interstate transmission system-connected solar projects up to 1,000 MW anywhere in India except Rajasthan with a greenshoe option for an additional 500 MW.

The company in December 2022, won 100 MW capacity in Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company’s auction to procure 250 MW of flexible and schedulable power from grid-connected renewable energy projects with an energy storage facility on a long-term basis. NTPC Renewable Energy won 100 MW by quoting ₹9 (~$0.11)/kWh.

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