REC Power Distribution Company (RECPDCL) has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to set up 125 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects at two locations in Uttar Pradesh.

The scope of work also includes operation and maintenance (O&M) of the two projects for three years.

The last date for submission for bids is August 12, 2021, and the bids would be opened on the same day.

Package-1 under the NIT covers a 50 MW solar PV project at Gujrai Village, Akbarpur Tehsil, in Kanpur Dehat district, while Package-2 covers a 75 MW solar PV power project at Gurhah Village, Orai tehsil, Jalaun District.

In February this year, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) had floated a request for selection for solar power developers to set up 275 MW of grid-connected solar power projects in the state’s solar park.

The projects were slated to be set up across Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun and Kanpur Dehat districts. SJVN and RECPDCL were winners in the auction, with the latter winning the Gujarai project in Kanpur Dehat and the Gurhah Project in Jalaun.

In June this year, RECPDCL invited bids to select an owner’s engineer for the 125 MW grid-connected solar projects in Kanpur Dehat and Jalaun districts. The tender was limited to agencies that are empaneled with RECPDCL.

Scope of work

The scope of works of the winning bidder involves end-to-end delivery of the commissioned project to RECPDCL.

The scope of work includes but is not limited to the development of land, design, engineering, procurement of equipment and material, testing at manufacturer’s works, and operational acceptance of 75 MW and 50 MW grid-interactive solar projects on a turnkey basis along with O&M of three years thereafter.

The scope of the contractor would include all equipment, materials, and services which, although are not explicitly mentioned in the bid document or contractor’s proposal but are necessary for the satisfactory operation of the solar PV system and its integration with the evacuation system provided by state electricity authorities or Central Transmission Utility (CTU).

The duration of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) period is ten months from the date on which the letter is issued to a successful bidder.

Eligibility Criteria

Prospective bidders must be experienced in providing EPC services for a grid-connected solar PV power project.

The bidder should have the experience of delivering either a single work order with a cumulative capacity of at least 100 MW wherein at least one plant should be more than 60 MW; or two work orders each having cumulative capacity of at least 62.5 MW, wherein at least one project should be more than 37.5 MW; or three work orders each having s cumulative capacity of at least 50 MW, wherein at least one project should not be less than 30 MWAC.

These projects must be successfully operated for at least six months before the date of opening the techno-commercial bid.

The annual average turnover of the successful bidder for the last three financial years, ending on March 31 of the previous financial year, should be at least ₹3.4 billion (~$45.78 million).

The net worth of the bidder must be positive during the last financial year ending March 31. Out of the previous three financial years, the bidder’s net worth should be positive for at least two years.

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Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. More articles from Rahul Nair.