Cochin Port Authority Invites Bids for 1.5 MWp Floating Solar Power Project

The Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) has issued a tender inviting bids for the implementation of a 1.5 MWp grid-connected floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This ambitious project is to be installed in the backwaters near CoPA’s Walkway Avenue between BOT Junction and Kannangatt Bridge, located at Willingdon Island, Kerala.

Project Scope and Details: The tender includes a comprehensive scope of work encompassing site survey, design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, storage, civil works, erection, testing, and commissioning of the floating solar PV project. The selected bidder will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the project for 25 years under the RESCO model. The estimated value of the project stands at ₹6.25 crore.

The project aligns with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways’ Maritime India Vision 2030, which mandates that 60% of energy requirements at major ports should be derived from renewable energy by 2030.

Key Dates and Submission Requirements:

Pre-Bid Meeting: January 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM (via video conferencing).
Bid Submission Deadline: February 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
Technical Bid Opening: February 3, 2025, on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
Interested bidders must submit their proposals online through the GeM portal. The bidding process involves a single-stage, two-cover system comprising technical and financial bids. An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) amounting to ₹12.51 lakh is mandatory for bid submission unless exemptions are applicable for MSMEs.

Eligibility and Evaluation: Bidders must demonstrate a proven track record in executing similar projects within the past seven years, with specific capacity and financial criteria outlined in the tender. The evaluation process will consider both technical responsiveness and financial competitiveness, including the potential for a reverse auction to determine the lowest tariff.

The CoPA emphasizes adherence to statutory requirements and the use of advanced technology meeting MNRE and KSERC guidelines.