NTPC Seeks Bids for Maintenance of 255 MW Solar Projects

India’s leading power generating conglomerate NTPC Limited, formerly National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, has invited bids for the maintenance of its solar power projects totalling 255 MW capacity. There are two separate solar plants that require service in the fresh contract. A 250 MW solar power plant is based in Ananthapuram district of Andhra Pradesh. A 5 MW solar power plant is in Andaman. The contract period for the maintenance service is three years. PSU’s running solar plants have usually gone the outsourcing route, unlike major developers in the private sector in India, who still seem to prefer the O&M with internal teams.

The bidding document says that the final date to submit bids is March 1 of the present year and successful bidders will be announced on March 3. Those participating in the bid will be required to deposit Rs 50 lacs as earnest money.

As far as qualifications are concerned, a bidder must have installed and commissioned at least one grid connected solar power project with a capacity of 150 MW or above in the last seven years. If not, then the bidder should have executed a contract for ‘Operation and Maintenance’ of at least one grid connected solar power project of 150 MW or a higher capacity for at least one year in the past seven years.

The bidder should also have an average annual turnover of Rs 16.32 crore for the last three financial years. Additionally, the net worth of the bidder should not be less than 100% of the paid up share capital as on the last day of the preceding financial year. The holding company of the bidder can also meet the said turnover requirements.

NTPC has said in the notification that only Class-I local suppliers are eligible to send in bids and the local content requirement is minimum of 50% to categorise a bidder as a Class-I supplier.

There is also a condition that any bidder belonging to any country that shares land border with India as specified in the bidding document, can participate in the bidding activity if the bidder is registered with the competent authority.