THDC India has invited bids for the development of 600 MW to 2,000 MW on/off stream pumped storage projects on a turnkey basis with operation and maintenance for 15 years in various states in India.

The last date for the submission of bids is May 13, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

The scope of work includes selecting sites, conducting all relevant studies and investigations, and preparing preliminary feasibility reports and detailed project reports.

The responsibilities also include obtaining statutory approvals, establishing grid connectivity, and ensuring power evacuation up to the pooling point.

The scope of work encompasses basic and detailed engineering, drawing preparation, and approval based on a design life of 40 years with 6 hours of storage a day.

Bidders must pay an earnest money deposit of ₹100 million (~$1.19 million).

The pumped hydro energy storage projects are expected to be commissioned within five years from the letter of award. This timeline includes approximately 1.5 to 2 years for activities such as detailed project report preparation, land acquisition, studies, and thorough engineering.

The construction period is estimated to take 3 to 3.5 years.

Bidders must quote a minimum capacity of 600 MW and a maximum of 2,000MW.

They should have received an allotment of a pumped storage plant with a minimum capacity of 600 MW from the central or state governments or be capable of receiving such an allotment within the specified timeframe indicated in the bid.

To qualify, bidders can choose one of three routes:

Route 1 requires the bidder to be a hydroelectric power plant or pumped storage plant developer with a cumulative installed capacity of at least 200 MW, including at least one project with a minimum capacity of 50 MW. The project must have been commissioned before the bid submission deadline.

Route 2 necessitates that the bidder has supplied, erected, and supervised specific electro-mechanical works for a hydroelectric or pumped storage project in the last decade.

This includes requirements such as a Vertical Francis Reversible Turbine or a Vertical shaft synchronous type hydro Motor Generator, either with specified unit outputs or having supplied Generator and Turbine for a single hydroelectric project/pumped storage project in India with a unit capacity not less than 50 MW.

Route 3 mandates that the bidder has executed or had executed through subcontractors specific civil works for such projects or other infrastructural work during any of the last ten financial years.

The bidders’ average annual turnover (including the last three financial years) should be at least the minimum requirement for the quoted capacity, which ranges between 600 MW and 2,000 MW. The turnover will be calculated based on a rate of ₹16.5 million (~$197,570)/MW of the quoted capacity.

Bidders must demonstrate positive net worth in at least two out of the last three financial years.

Their working capital should be at least twice the monthly cash flow requirement. This is calculated as {(₹55 million (~$658,564.)/MW) * (quoted capacity) * 2 / construction period in months}.

Recently, THDC India invited bids from consultants to prepare a project report for a 1 GW solar power park in Rajasthan.

Last July, THDC India invited bids to empanel consultants to acquire land to develop 2,000 MW renewable energy parks in Rajasthan.

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