The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has issued a call for tenders for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of 2.88 MW of mini-grid and decentralised distributed generation solar projects in Uttar Pradesh. The projects will operate on a revenue model basis. The O&M agreement will remain valid for 20 years and will undergo a review every five years. The deadline for submitting bids is the 22nd of May 2023. The bids will be opened on the following day. In 2016, Uttar Pradesh installed a total of 16 solar mini-grid power projects with a capacity of 2.332 MW and 28 solar projects with a capacity of 548 kW. After a span of five years, these projects were scheduled to be transferred to UPNEDA for O&M. However, due to the significant capital and operating costs required for their maintenance and revival, UPNEDA intends to entrust the operation and maintenance of these projects to private organisations under a revenue-sharing model. The scope of work will include the upgrading or replacement of faulty inverters, batteries, solar panels, cables, and other related components. Successful bidders will have the opportunity to sell the power generated from these projects to residents, MSME customers, and farmers during the agreement period. The revenue generated from the sale of power must be shared with UPNEDA. Bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 2.95 lakh. The selected contractors will need to provide a security deposit of Rs 5 million. Applicants must possess a minimum of five years of experience in commissioning, operating, and maintaining solar power projects, covering at least 50 sites, with a cumulative capacity of 3 MW. Furthermore, bidders should have achieved an average annual turnover of Rs 60 million over the past five years. Bidders are also required to have a minimum turnover of Rs 40 million from their mini-grid business in the previous year. Also read: TCC seeks consultants for green power project optimisation Vibrant Energy partners with Envision for 149 MW wind turbine order