The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has invited bidders to bid for a rural electrification project in the eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. The task involves installing solar power packs of 300 W capacity each in 1,058 off-grid villages in the state.
SECI has floated the tender on behalf of Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA). The project will be developed under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) program that aims at strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure including metering at all levels in the rural areas.
The Arunachal Pradesh Project needs to be completed within six months from the date the project is awarded. The lowest rate offer will win the project. According to Mercom Capital Group, a global clean energy research and communications firm, a total of 16,000 solar power packs of 300W each will be installed under the project.
The winner will also have to undertake site surveys, planning, design, engineering, assembly engineering, testing, supply, loading, transportation, unloading, insurance, delivery at site, handling, storage, installation, testing and commissioning. The awarded bidder will also have to provide operation & maintenance of the systems for five years, along with relevant documentation for electrification work.
A SECI official was quoted by Mercom as saying, "Arunachal Pradesh has very tough terrain and it is hard to install grid-connected solar. These solar power packs are the solution as they are both power-efficient and cost-efficient. The government will not have to spend on grid-connectivity and transmission. It will also lead to these villages becoming power-independent to an extent."
Payment terms
The successful bidder will be paid 80% of the value of work done after officials have received a report that the solar power packs have been installed. This report is planned to be provided by the concerned village head or any other authorized person appointed by SECI. Another 10% is to be paid when the company sets up service centre in each district of the state where solar power packs and street lighting systems are installed and commissioned. The remaining 10% will be given at the rate of 2% at the end of every year for the next 5 years. This is pending satisfactory performance and timely submission of quarterly performance report.
For more information on the tender, please check here.