NHPC Invites Bids For Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop Plants In Sikkim Under RESCO Model

NHPC Limited has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for the development of grid-connected solar rooftop plants at various government buildings in the state of Sikkim, under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model. The invitation is part of a Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding process.

The project aims to install solar rooftop plants in multiple locations across Sikkim, and the successful developer will be responsible for setting up the plants and identifying purchasers for the generated power under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This initiative is an important step toward increasing renewable energy adoption in the state.

The Bidder is required to submit a Bid Security (EMD) in the form of a demand draft from a nationalized or scheduled bank in favor of NHPC Ltd., payable at Faridabad. Additionally, the cost of the bid document is to be paid in the same manner. Prospective bidders must fulfill several key requirements, including providing the necessary documents for bid submission.

The timeline for the tender process is crucial, with the publishing date for the RfS being January 17, 2025. The document download begins on the same day, and the last date for submitting queries or clarifications regarding the bid is January 29, 2025. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for January 31, 2025. The online submission of bids will begin on February 14, 2025, and the last date for submitting bids is February 24, 2025. Offline submission must be completed by February 27, 2025, with the opening of technical bids on February 28, 2025.

For a bidder to be eligible for this tender, several conditions must be met. The bidder must be an Indian-incorporated legal entity operating under the jurisdiction’s commercial laws. They must also meet the qualifications set in the tender document, ensuring that they are not currently under any declaration of ineligibility for corrupt practices or blacklisting from any government institution or public sector undertaking in India. Bidders whose contracts have been terminated for poor performance in the past five years are not eligible to participate.

In terms of qualifications, bidders must have experience in designing, supplying, and commissioning Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based grid-connected power plants of a cumulative installed capacity of at least 400 kWp, with at least one plant being of 40 kWp or more. Alternatively, they can also qualify by being a developer of SPV-based grid-connected plants or having experience in process industry or infrastructure development. In addition, bidders must demonstrate experience in executing electrical substations of 11 kV or above voltage levels.

Financial criteria include a minimum average annual turnover requirement for the past three years, depending on the bidder’s category. The categories range from a turnover of ₹0.54 crore to ₹3.54 crore, depending on the type and scale of the work the bidder has undertaken in the past.

This tender marks a significant opportunity for developers in the solar power sector, particularly those with experience in solar rooftop installations. It is also a step towards advancing Sikkim’s renewable energy goals and supporting the country’s broader shift to clean energy solutions.