Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has invited bids for a five-year operation and maintenance (O&M) contract for 2.89 MW of mini-grid and decentralized distributed generation (DDG) solar projects installed on a revenue model basis.

The projects include 16 mini-grids with a combined capacity of 2,332 kW and 27 DDG solar projects of 559.4 kW.

The last day to submit the bids is January 9, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

Bidders must submit a tender fee of ₹11,800 (~$141) and an earnest money deposit of ₹25,000 (~$300).

Selected bidders must submit a performance security of ₹2,000 (~$24)/ kW of quoted capacity before the execution of the contract agreement. The bank guarantee will be renewed after every five years.

Selected bidders must acquire all sites in their existing condition. The maximum right-to-use tenure is 20 years, subject to UPNEDA’s review every five years. If reviews are unsatisfactory, UPNEDA may take appropriate actions, including penalties. Right-to-use charges are based on a per-kilowatt, per-month basis for solar projects, payable annually to UPNEDA.

The power generated from these solar projects can be sold to the local residents for household uses, as well as to MSME customers to run their small-scale businesses or to farmers to run their tube wells for irrigation purposes.

Bidders should have a minimum of five years of experience in building, operating, maintaining, and operating at least two mini-grids with a cumulative capacity of 25 kW or above. They must submit documentary proof, such as a completion certificate from the concerned agency.

Bidders’ average annual turnover in the best-performing three of the last five financial years should be at least ₹15,000 (~$180)/ kW of quoted capacity. Only bidding companies or lead partners with a minimum 51% equity turnover will be considered in the case of consortium or partnership firms.

Recently, UPNEDA invited bids to set up a cumulative capacity of 500 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects on government/semi-government buildings and other institutions in Uttar Pradesh under the RESCO model on a net metering basis.

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