Autokast Limited, a Kerala government-owned foundry unit, has floated a tender to develop a 2 MW grid-connected ground-mounted solar project at its factory in Cherthala, Kerala.

The last date to submit bids is October 8, 2021. The bids will be opened on October 12.

To participate in the bidding process, bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹200,000 (~$2,713).

The estimated cost of the project is ₹100 million (~$1.36 million). Bidders also have to submit 10% of the total contracted amount as the performance security deposit.

The scope of work includes site clearing, survey, design, engineering, procurement, transportation, instrumentation, installation, testing, and commissioning of the project. The successful bidder needs to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for five years from the date of commissioning of the project.

The successful bidder must complete the project within nine months from the date of commencement of work. In case of any delay, the rate of liquidity damage should be 1% of the contracted amount per week of delay, subject to a maximum of 10% accepted contract.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders should have installed and commissioned at least 4 MW of rooftop or ground-mounted solar projects in India. Of this, bidders must have installed at least one ground-mounted solar project with a 1 MW capacity in Kerala.

Bidders should also have an average annual turnover equal to or over ₹150 million (~$2.03 million) in the last three financial years. Their net worth must also be positive in the previous three financial years.

The mechanical structures, electrical works and overall workmanship of the solar project must be warranted for a minimum 10 years.

Solar modules must have an efficiency of over 19%. The output wattage of the modules must be not less than 90% at the end of ten years and 80% at the end of 25 years. The degradation of power generated should not exceed 5% over five years and not more than 10% after ten years.

In July 2021, the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology issued a tender for the rate contract of 2.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems in Kerala. The capacity of the projects would vary between 2 kW and 50 kW.

Last year, the agency invited bids from empanelled agencies for the rate contract of 10 MW of solar projects.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Kerala has floated tenders for 438 MW of ground-mounted solar capacity 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.

More articles from Harsh Shukla.