The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) has invited bids for setting up 22.5 MW of grid-connected floating solar projects in the thermal power stations at Bakreshwar, Santhaldih, and Sagardidhi.

Of the 22.5 MW tendered capacity, 10 MW of floating solar project will be developed at Bakreshwar, while 7.5 MW and 5 MW will be developed at Santhaldih, and Sagardidhi, respectively.

The last date to submit bids is January 24, 2022. Technical bids will be opened on January 28. The pre-bid meeting will take place on January 4.

Bidders must furnish ₹30.47 million (~$403,261) as an earnest money deposit. In addition, the successful bidders must also furnish 3% of the total project cost plus goods and services tax (GST) in the form of a bank guarantee as a performance bank guarantee.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacture, procurement, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of these floating solar projects on different ponds at these thermal power stations.

The successful bidders need to commission the projects within 12 months from the letter of award at Bakreshwar and Santhaldih and within ten months at Sagardidhi. After commissioning these projects, the successful bidders must provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for five years.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have installed and commissioned at least one 10 MW of rooftop, ground-mount, or floating solar project at a single location in the last seven years. Alternatively, they must have installed or commissioned two solar projects with 5 MW or above capacity. In addition, they must have an O&M experience for at least one 10 MW solar project or two solar projects of 5 MW. The projects should be located in India and must be operational for at least a year ending at the bid submission date.

Bidders should also have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹450 million (~$5.95 million) in the last three financial years. Their net worth must not be less than their paid-up share capital.

In case of delay in project commissioning, the successful bidder will have to pay 0.5% of the project cost plus GST price per week, subject to a maximum of 10% of the total project cost plus GST as liquidated damages.

In October, WBPDCL issued a notice inviting tender from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to set up two 10 MW grid-connected ground-mounted solar projects in two phases at Santhaldih thermal station, Purulia, West Bengal, on a turnkey basis.

Earlier, it invited bids for setting up a 5 MW grid-connected floating solar power project at Santhaldih thermal station in Purulia.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, WBPDCL has issued tender for 55 MW of solar projects to date.

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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