State-owned hydro and thermal power generator Damodar Valley Corporation has invited bids from consultancy firms for a detailed topographical and contour survey of 200 acres to develop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in and around thermal power stations across the valley area.

The last date to submit online bids is February 7, 2022. Bids will be opened on the following day. The pre-bid meeting will take place on January 20.

The scope of work includes conducting a topographical survey, preparing maps, and reporting the entire area indicated for the location of power projects, colony, ash pond, raw water, and reservoir. The successful bidder will also be responsible for providing survey instruments, construction equipment, tools, plants, materials, labor, qualified surveyors, transport, full insurance, and other incidental items.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have completed one similar work costing not less than ₹792,000 (~$10,714) in the last seven years. Alternatively, they should have completed two similar works, each costing not less than ₹495,000 (~$6,698), or three similar works each costing not less than ₹396,000 (~$5,358).

Bidders must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹297,000 (~$4,017) in the last three financial years.

The successful bidders must complete surveys in 60 days. If they fail to complete the survey on time, liquidated damages will be applicable at the rate of 0.5% of the value of the delayed work per week, limited to a maximum of 5% of the total contract value.

In September 2020, Damodar Valley Corporation announced that it would focus solely on solar projects to add capacity. It proposed 1,776 MW of floating solar projects in four dams in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Mercom had earlier reported that Damodar Valley Corporation issued a tender for setting up 50 MW of grid-connected solar projects. The projects were expected to be developed under the developer model in design-build-operate-transfer (DBOT) mode at Panchet, Jharkhand.

Recently, the company inaugurated a 1 MW rooftop solar project at its Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station on National Energy Conservation Day. The company is implementing a series of renewable energy projects across its power stations to achieve a greater percentage of renewable energy in its energy mix.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Damodar Valley Corporation has issued tenders for 50.2 MW of solar capacity to date.