Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) has invited bids to commission an 8 MW solar power project at Bada Basot in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The scope of work includes comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) services for a period of eight years.

The last date for submitting bids is August 14, 2024, and the bids will be opened on the same day. Bidders are required to furnish an earnest money deposit of ?10 million (~$119,679) to participate in the tender.

The successful bidder will be responsible for the entire process, from inception to the completion of the commissioned project for HPPCL. This includes providing all necessary equipment, materials, and services for the satisfactory operation of the solar system and its integration with the evacuation system provided by the state electricity authority.

To be eligible, bidders must have participated as contractors, joint venture partners, or subcontractors in at least one completed contract within the last ten years, with a value exceeding ?140 million ($1.67 million) and a minimum capacity of 2.4 MW. Alternatively, they can qualify by having completed two contracts, each with a value exceeding ?94 million ($1.12 million) and a minimum capacity of 1.6 MW each, or three contracts, each with a value exceeding ?47 million (~$562,491) and a minimum capacity of 800 kW each.

Additionally, bidders must have completed an operational and maintenance contract of at least one year in one solar project with a minimum capacity of 2 MW within the last ten years. They must also have a minimum average annual turnover of ?235 million ($2.81 million) from operations, excluding other income, for the last three financial years, and access to financial resources of at least ?117.5 million ($1.4 million) to meet the cash-flow requirement.

This latest tender from HPPCL comes after the corporation invited bids in March 2023 to commission solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 13 MW at Maira and Dabhota II in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.