CEL Extends Deadline for 1.6 MW Rooftop Solar Projects Tender

CEL has extended the bid submission deadline for its tender for setting up of rooftop solar systems worth 1.6 MW in various government buildings in Tamil Nadu

The Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has issued in a notification that it has extended the bid submission deadline for its tender for setting up of grid-connected solar PV rooftop power plants of cumulative capacity of 1.6 MW ranging from 10 kWp to 50 kWp in various Government Buildings in Tamil Nadu.

The deadline for bid submission has been extended from March 26, 2020, to April 20, 2020. CEL hasn’t given the reason for the extension of the deadline, however, it is believed that the ongoing lockdown imposed in the country to combat the spread of the coronavirus is the reason for the extension.

The agency had first issued the tender in January, with a bid submission deadline of February 3, 2020. In February, CEL had issued its tender for a second time. However, the second tender was only limited to bidders who had received an email from CEL with the tender document.

The scope of work for the selected bidders will include the survey, design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, commissioning of the rooftop solar projects of cumulative capacity of 1.6 MW ranging from 10 KWp to 50 KWp in various government buildings. The project timeline for the commissioning of the projects is 90 days from the date of issue of the letter of award (LOA). The developers will also be required to provide comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the rooftop systems for a period of 25 years.

All bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 7.5 lakh along with their bids.

Recently, it was reported that the government is set to privatise the manufacturer of its solar products – CEL and had invited bids for selling its 100 percent shareholding with management control. CEL is a Government of India Enterprise under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology. It is India’s oldest monocrystalline cell manufacturer having a capacity of 10 MW p.a. The company is also having a high-quality module manufacturing line with an installed capacity of 38 MW, i.e. 10 MW in manual line and 28 MW in an automated line.