GRIDCO Limited has invited proposals from consulting firms to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the planned 225 MW Upper Indravati Floating Solar Project in Odisha. The initiative highlights the state’s growing focus on expanding renewable energy capacity while ensuring that environmental and social factors are carefully evaluated.
The proposed project will be developed over the Upper Indravati reservoir in three phases of 75 MW each. Along with the floating solar installations, the project will also include evacuation infrastructure and 220 kV transmission lines to connect the generated power to the grid. As floating solar projects are relatively new in India, the assessment is expected to play an important role in identifying potential risks and mitigation measures.
The main objective of the ESIA study is to examine the environmental and social impacts linked to the project. The selected consultant will be required to ensure that the study complies with Indian regulatory requirements as well as international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards. This reflects the increasing importance of global benchmarks in large-scale renewable energy developments.
As part of the scope, the consultant will establish baseline environmental conditions, including air quality, water quality, and biodiversity in the project area. In addition, the study will include Critical Habitat Assessments to evaluate any risks to sensitive ecosystems. Special focus will also be given to water-related aspects, including modelling for water quality and potential oil spills that could occur during project operations.
On the social side, the consultant will prepare plans related to livelihood restoration, indigenous communities, and stakeholder engagement. These components are crucial to ensure that local communities are not negatively affected and that their concerns are addressed through structured engagement processes.
The bidding process follows a clear timeline. The Request for Proposal was issued on April 29, 2026, and a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2026, which will be conducted both physically at the GRIDCO Conference Hall and through virtual mode. Interested firms must submit their proposals online by June 3, 2026, by 1:00 PM. The techno-commercial bids will be opened later the same day at 5:00 PM. The list of technically qualified bidders will be announced on June 10, followed by the price bid declaration on June 16. The final contract agreement is expected to be signed by June 30, 2026.
From a financial perspective, bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit of INR 1,00,000 in the form of a bank guarantee or insurance surety bond. This will remain valid for 120 days from the date of proposal opening. The selected consultant will also need to provide a Performance Bank Guarantee of INR 2,50,000 within 20 days of receiving the work order. This guarantee must remain valid for 12 months, along with an additional six-month claim period. A non-refundable bid document fee of INR 11,800, including GST, is also applicable.
To qualify, the lead consultant must have an average annual turnover of at least INR 10 crore from consultancy services over the last three financial years. Additionally, the firm must have completed a minimum of three ESIA or EIA/SIA studies in the renewable energy sector within the past five years.
Proposals will be submitted through the Bharat Electronic Tender portal or the GRIDCO website. The selection process will follow a least-cost bidding method among those firms that achieve at least 70 marks in the technical evaluation, ensuring both quality and cost-effectiveness in the final selection.
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