NALCO Invites Bids For 7 MW Rooftop Solar Project With NVVN As Project Consultant

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has invited online bids to develop a 7,000 kW (7 MW) grid-connected rooftop solar project for National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). The project will be implemented across NALCO’s locations in Angul and Damanjodi in Odisha, marking a significant step toward expanding renewable energy adoption within industrial facilities.

While NALCO is the project owner and final contracting authority, NVVN will operate as the Project Management Consultant (PMC). In this position, NVVN will oversee the bid publication, evaluation, and monitoring of project execution. However, the final award of the contract will be made directly by NALCO. Once construction starts and throughout the five-year operation and maintenance period, all payments related to the project will be released by NALCO based on certification of work completed by NVVN.

The project covers a comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) scope. The selected developer must not only design and install the 7 MW rooftop solar system but also manage operations and maintenance for five years after commissioning. This ensures long-term performance accountability and sustained energy generation from the rooftop installation. Participation is limited to ‘Class-I local suppliers’ and ‘Class-II local suppliers’ under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, reinforcing domestic manufacturing and industry support. In addition, bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must have a valid registration from the competent authority, in line with government procurement regulations.

A significant condition in the tender is the requirement for a mandatory site visit. Prospective bidders must survey the project locations and submit an undertaking on their official letterhead confirming the visit. Any bidder failing to submit this undertaking will have their bid rejected outright, highlighting the importance of understanding site conditions before proposing technical and financial solutions.

Financial conditions include a Bid Security or Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 50,00,000, which must be submitted in favor of NVVN Limited. However, the Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) and any subsequent guarantees must be issued in favor of NALCO Limited, reflecting the division of responsibilities between the two organizations.

The bidding process follows a Single Stage Two Envelope system, consisting of a Techno-Commercial Bid and a Price Bid. Key dates, including bid sale, query deadlines, bid submission, and technical bid opening, will be available on the GEPNIC portal as per the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT). The date for the opening of the price bid will be announced later by NVVN.

This tender marks another major initiative by NVVN and NALCO to enhance energy sustainability through rooftop solar deployment and aligns with national goals to promote clean energy within industrial operations.