The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Limited (TTDCL) has floated tenders to procure two units each of 25, 80, and 150-seater solar boats for carrying passengers at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in the state.

Interested bidders are expected to pay an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹20,000 (~$271) for the 25-seater boats, ₹30,000 (~$407) for the 80-seater boats, and ₹50,000 (~$678) for the 150-seater boats. The deadline for submitting the bids for all three tenders is January 5, 2020.

The scope of work for all the tenders includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, transportation, and erection of FRP Catamaran solar boats with zero-emission. The 150-seater vessels must be double-decked boats.

All the boats must all have electric twin-screw motor propulsion systems, steering, and remote-control systems. Selected bidders will be given nine months to complete work on the first boat and three months thereafter for the second boat for each category.

To be eligible to participate in the tenders, applicants must have at least three years of experience in electric, low, or zero-emission technology vessels. They must also have previously designed, manufactured, and delivered at least one vessel of the prescribed specifications for any International Association of Classification Society (IACS) members. The vessel must be in good operational condition.

The TTDCL did not furnish any financial eligibility criteria but stated that it would give preference to the bidder with the higher annual turnover if multiple bidders place identical bids. This applies to all three tenders.

In November 2019, the State Water Transport Department, Government of Kerala, floated a tender for the construction and supply of three solar boats. The vessels were to be designed and built as a GRP catamaran solar-powered passenger ferry with a passenger capacity of 75, intended for operation in Kerala under the inland rules.

Kerala’s EV policy aims at bringing one million EVs on the road by 2022 and creating a pilot fleet of 200,000 two-wheelers, 50,000 three-wheelers, 1,000 goods carriers, 3000 buses, and 100 ferry boats by 2020.

Of late, Telangana has been focusing on expanding the reach of renewable power in the state by introducing solar in various segments, from boats to dairies.