The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) has reissued a tender to develop 10 MW of grid-connected floating solar projects on ponds at the Sagardighi Thermal Power Project, Murshidabad, West Bengal.

The project has been retendered after the WBPDCL received poor responses to its previous retender, according to a WBDCL official. The tender was originally floated in March 2020 and retendered previously in September 2020.

The project is estimated to cost ₹600.2 million (~$8.2 million). Interested bidders are expected to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹12 million (~$164,812). The last date for submitting bids is March 31, 2021.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of the projects on water ponds 1, 2, and 4 in the project premises. Selected bidders must also provide five years of comprehensive operations and maintenance services on the project.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have experience executing at least one 8 MW or two 5 MW ground-mounted or floating solar photovoltaic projects with a similar scope of work in the last seven years. They must also have experience operating and maintaining these projects.

Bidders are also expected to have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹180 million (~$2.45 million) during the last three financial years. Their net worth in the previous financial year should not have been less than 100% of their paid-up share capital.

According to the tender documents, the net minimum guaranteed generation of solar energy should be 1.52 million units/MW annually. This will be reduced by 1% per annum after the first year.

In January, the WBPDCL commissioned a 5 MW floating solar project – currently the largest floating solar project in the country – at the Sagardighi Thermal Power Project, according to the company’s website.

In May 2020, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority floated a tender for installing a 1 MW canal top solar project at Bagjola Canal located in New Town. The contract also included comprehensive operation and maintenance for five years.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, West Bengal has floated tenders for 516 MW of solar power projects as of December 2020.