The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for a 2 MW solar project along with a 1 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kaza, Himachal Pradesh.

The scope of the work includes design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning, including operation and maintenance (O&M) for five years.

The last date for the submission of bids is April 3, 2023. Bids will open on the same day.

Bidders must furnish a tender processing fee worth ₹25,000 (~$302) and an earnest money deposit of ₹3,400,000 (~$41,047).

The successful bidder must also deposit performance security equivalent to 3% of the contract value.

The performance security will be valid for 81 months. This period includes the initial 18 months of the project commissioning plus the prescribed O&M period.

The modules used for the project must be sourced only from the models and manufacturers included in the List-I (Solar PV Modules) ALMM Order issued by MNRE on March 10, 2021.

Bids from both individuals as well as joint ventures are allowed.

The bidder should have experience in either execution of the ground-mounted solar project as a developer or expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) execution of ground-mounted solar projects on a turnkey basis.

The bidder should have experience in executing projects with a cumulative capacity of not less than 1 MW, and at least two grid-connected solar projects having an individual capacity of 200kW or above in the last seven financial years.

The projects must be in operation for at least six months before the last date of bid submission.

The bidder’s minimum annual turnover in the last three financial years should be ₹68.5 million (~$826,958).

Additionally, the net worth for the last financial year should be positive.

As per the last audited financial statement, the bidder should have a minimum working capital of ₹28.6 million (~$345,283).

Recently, SECI released ₹7.3 billion (~$88.6 million) in payments to solar and wind developers for the power purchased in December 2022. The disbursal accounted for nearly 95.8% of the total amount paid by the nodal agency during the month.

SECI will soon enter the market for delivering renewable energy solutions through open access to the commercial and industrial segments. This area has been the exclusive domain of private developers thus far.