NTPC Limited has floated an invitation for bids (IFB) from contractors for an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package along with land for the development of solar projects up to 600 MW capacity.

These interstate transmission systems (ISTS) connected solar projects can be developed anywhere in India. The last date for the submission of bids is June 22, 2020.

The prospective bidders need to pay ₹20 million (~$264,772) as the earnest money deposit (EMD).

According to the tender document, each project will be at least 50 MW in capacity and in multiples of 10 MW. The maximum capacity of a single project is set at 300 MW.

The scope includes the complete EPC works required for the development of the project along with the power evacuation system up to the ISTS substation. The work also includes the complete transfer of ownership or lease of land in favor of NTPC.

As far as the technical criteria are concerned, interested bidders should have designed, supplied, and installed solar projects of a cumulative installed capacity of at least 40 MW, out of which at least one should have been at least 10 MW (at a single location) and should have been in successful operation for at least six months. Grid-connected rooftop and floating solar projects will also qualify for eligibility. Apart from this, developers or EPC contractors with a project in the field of oil, gas, petrochemical, or fertilizers, in the last ten years, can also bid for these projects.

The NTPC has noted that interested bidders should have executed at least one electrical sub-station work of at least a 33 kV voltage level, either as a developer or as an EPC contractor.

To bid for the project, interested bidders must have an average annual turnover of not less than ₹2.1 billion (~$27.8 million) during the last three financial years (FYs).

The tender added that the developer would be responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the complete solar project for three years.

In December 2019, NTPC had invited bids for 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects under an EPC package in the state of Maharashtra. The projects under this tender could range anywhere between 100 MW and 500 MW.

A few weeks ago, it floated a tender for centralized monitoring analytical tool for the 250 MW Mandsaur solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.