Odisha Issues Tender For Off-Grid Solar Pumps

Odisha Issues Tender For Off-Grid Solar Pumps

The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) has issued a tender for off-grid solar pumps. The state nodal agency issued the tender under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The agency asked the eligible bidders to submit their bids by February 10, 2025. With this tender, OREDA plans to replace the existing diesel-run agricultural pumps with solar pumps.

As per the MNRE directive of July 25, 2023, states are allowed to have their own tenders under PM-KUSUM Component B. Under the scheme, the state agency has sought interest from vendors to install off-grid solar pumps in the range of 1 HP to 7.5 HP. It has also mandated the bidders to ensure the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of these projects for the initial five years.

OREDA Role 

“OREDA shall be the bidding agency for selection of Vendors for Design, Manufacture, Supply, Transport, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Off Grid Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems (SPWPS) of 1- 7.5 HP capacities in the State of Odisha including complete system warranty and insurance along with its repair and maintenance for 5 Years under Component-B of PM-KUSUM scheme of MNRE, GoI. Details regarding the selection process are contained in Section-5 of the RfS. OREDA’s role is for price discovery through transparent competitive bidding mechanism along with award of work under this scheme,” the tender document said.

OREDA said that the bidders will be free to avail fiscal incentives like Accelerated Depreciation, Concessional Customs and Excise Duties, Tax Holidays, etc., as available for such projects. “Individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP for replacement of existing diesel agriculture pumps/irrigation systems in off-grid areas, where grid supply is not available. Installation of new pumps shall also be permitted under this scheme. Pumps of capacity higher than 7.5 HP may be allowed; however, the CFA by MNRE, GOI is limited to the CFA applicable for pumps of 7.5 HP. Water User Associations (Pani Panchayats) and community-based irrigation systems may also be covered under this component,” the tender said.

Only domestic modules & parts 

OREDA stated that only domestically manufactured solar panels with domestic (DCR) solar cells and modules will be used for these projects. It has also mandated the use of domestic motor pump sets, controllers, and balance of system components.

“Only indigenously manufactured solar panels enlisted under ALMM list-I of MNRE with indigenous solar cells and modules. Further, the motor pump set, controller, and balance of the system should also be manufactured indigenously. The motor pump set and controller should be enlisted under empanelled OEM of OREDA,” the tender said.

As per the latest details furnished by the PM-KUSUM dashboard, MNRE sanctioned a total of 6,441 off-grid solar pumps under the scheme, whereas to date it has installed a total of 5,354 solar pumps under the scheme.