India: BOS Tender For 1 GW Solar Capacity

• NTPC REL issued tender for 1 GW ISTS connected solar capacity BOS package along with land
• Projects can be located anywhere in India by the winners who will be responsible for executing the project capacity and O&M for 3 years
• According to tender documents, it will accept techno-commercial bids till February 3, 2022

NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), the renewables arm of NTPC Ltd., has invited bids from interested companies for balance of system (BOS) package with land for interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected (ISTS) solar projects with up to 1 GW capacity.

Projects qualifying for this tender can be located anywhere in India, and must use tracker technology. Interested bidders will need to identify, acquire and complete transfer of ownership or lease land in favor of NTPC RE Ltd. Broad scope of work also involves ensuring EPC services, grid connectivity at ISTS substation, and comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) for 3 years from the date of commissioning.

The tender with notice inviting tender (NIT) no. NRE-CS-5774-004-9 was launched on January 1, 2022 and mentions last date to submit techno-commercial bids is February 3, 2022. Details can be viewed online on NTPC's tender website.  

Recently, a senior NTPC REL official was quoted by local media as saying that by February 2022, the company plans to launch a global tender for a 3 GW renewable energy project that could relate to solar and/or wind, with battery energy storage system. It would entail an investment worth INR 150 billion ($2 billion).

The parent company of NTPC REL is also contemplating divesting its stake in the subsidiary to hold lower than 50% stake with a view to bring in new investors, according to the reports.