The Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has invited bids for design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of solar photovoltaic mini and micro-grid systems across villages as part of its rural electrification programme targeting remote and underserved regions. The tender covers projects including battery storage, distribution infrastructure, control rooms and household connectivity under a five-year rate contract. The deadline for submission of bids is May 28.

The tender seeks empanelment of contractors to execute systems grouped by capacity into four categories. Group A covers one to 10 kWp, Group B covers 11 to 50 kWp, Group C covers 51 to 100 kWp, and Group D covers above 100 kWp. The scope includes the supply and commissioning of complete solar mini-grid systems along with the construction of control rooms for battery banks and power conditioning units.

JREDA has fixed estimated benchmark rates excluding GST at Rs 0.258 million (Rs 0.258 million) per kWp for Group A, Rs 0.207 million (Rs 0.207 million) per kWp for Group B, Rs 0.216 million (Rs 0.216 million) per kWp for Group C and Rs 0.227 million (Rs 0.227 million) per kWp for Group D. Agencies will develop distribution networks, install energy meters, provide chain-link fencing and ensure household connections. Bidders must conduct pre-feasibility studies, site surveys and obtain recommendations from village-level committees and local representatives.

The tender mandates deployment of at least two skilled personnel at each village site for round-the-clock monitoring and requires contractors to maintain spare inventory and provide prompt maintenance during the five-year O&M period. Technical eligibility criteria require prior experience in design, engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of solar power plants, with general category bidders needing either one 50 kWp project or three 10 kWp projects in the last seven years to qualify for Group B. Agencies must seek site changes from JREDA where villages are already connected to the conventional grid.