CEL Seeks EoI For 40 MWp Automated Solar Manufacturing Plant

Central Electronics Limited (CEL), has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking vendors to identify domestic suppliers for outsourcing the Automated Solar PV Module Manufacturing Plant. The plant has an annual capacity of 40 MWp when operated in three shifts and will be located in Sahibabad on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis. The last date for EoI submission and opening is February 28, 2025.

Central Electronics Limited (CEL), is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR). Its Automated Solar PV Module Manufacturing Plant will be outsourced for three years, initially for two years, extendable by up to one year. The outsourcing terms cover manufacturing, operation, maintenance, marketing, and selling of the produced solar PV modules. These terms will be finalized at a later stage and shared with eligible parties responding to this EoI.

The bidder must meet certain qualifications. The tender states: “The bidder must have an average annual turnover of ₹12 crore in any three consecutive financial years out of the last four years (FY 2020-21, FY 2021-22, FY 2022-23, and FY 2023-24).” To verify this, bidders must submit copies of the audited balance sheet and profit and loss account for any three consecutive financial years within the specified period.

Facilities

The tender mentions, “CEL can extend the following facilities to prospective outsourcing agencies for operating the Automated Solar PV Module Manufacturing Plant” The facilities are:

a. A fully automated Solar PV Module Manufacturing Plant with an annual production capacity of 40 MWp on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis. (Interested parties are encouraged to visit the plant site during the period mentioned in the EoI. The plant condition may be jointly inspected before handover.)
b. Supporting infrastructure and utilities for operating the plant.
c. Round-the-clock security.
d. Power and water supply at prevailing commercial rates on an actual utilization basis.
e. Maintenance of the building (civil and electrical only) during the outsourcing contract period.

The Automated Solar PV Module Manufacturing Plant will be outsourced to the successful bidder. The outsourcing will include manufacturing, operation, maintenance, marketing, and sales of solar PV modules for two years on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis. CEL reserves the right to extend the contract for up to one additional year based on factors such as contract performance and statutory compliance.

The company was part of the ALMM list until, but was removed, probably due to the lower efficiency of the modules produced, which may have missed the new qualifying criteria laid down by MNRE.