The Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) has invited bids from renewable energy developers and Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) to develop a 3 MW AC grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant integrated with a 1 MW/4 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at six EXIM Godowns. The project will be implemented under the RESCO model and will include the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and long-term maintenance of the solar and storage facility.
The initiative aims to reduce the port’s dependence on electricity drawn from the grid, lower long-term energy costs, and improve the reliability of its power supply. The integration of battery storage is expected to support energy management and improve the utilization of solar power. The project will also generate environmental attributes, including carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, which will remain the property of Chennai Port Authority.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 20 crore. The tender specifies a maximum fixed tariff of Rs. 6.55 per unit for the electricity supplied under the project. However, the stated bid security amount in the tender details requires clarification, as the specified Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs. 40 crore does not correspond to the stated two per cent of the estimated project cost. Two per cent of Rs. 20 crore would amount to Rs. 40 lakh.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) or performance security of Rs. 1 crore, equivalent to five per cent of the estimated project cost. The contractual arrangement includes a 180-day period for design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning from the date of the award letter. An additional 30 days will be provided to achieve the Commercial Operation Date (COD). Following commissioning, the selected developer will be responsible for operation and maintenance for 25 years.
According to the tender schedule, the tender document download process began on October 9, 2026. The last date for submitting written clarification queries is October 15, 2026. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for the same day at 11:00 hours at the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Conference Room, with participation also available through video conference.
The deadline for downloading the tender document and submitting bids is November 6, 2026, at 15:00 hours. The technical bids under Cover-I are scheduled to open on November 7, 2026, at 15:30 hours.
The tender will be managed by the Chief Mechanical Engineer of Chennai Port Authority through the Central Public Procurement Portal and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The bidding process will follow a two-cover system, separating technical and financial submissions.
The project represents an effort by Chennai Port Authority to integrate renewable energy and battery storage into its operations while addressing electricity costs and supply reliability. The 25-year operational period also provides a long-term framework for maintaining the facility and supporting the port’s energy requirements.
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