West Bengal Tenders for Geotechnical Survey at Proposed 200 MW Solar Park

WBSEDCL has tendered for the geotechnical investigation and measurement of Earth resistivity at the proposed 200 MW solar park site in West Bengal.

The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) has issued a tender for the geotechnical investigation and measurement of Earth resistivity at the proposed 200 MW (125 MW in 1st Phase & 75 MW in 2nd Phase) solar park site located in Medinipur, West Bengal.

The last date for bid submission is May 18, 2020, and the technical bids will be opened on the same date. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for May 11, 2020, to address the concerns raised by the prospective bidders. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23 lakh and all bidders will be required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 46 thousand along with their bids.

The scope of work for the selected firms will include the testing of the soil resistivity in the area as directed by the Controlling Officer of the work by ‘Wenner for electrode method’. Area covered under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the solar park shall be measured at intervals of 0.5 km or in case soil characteristics changes within 0.5 km value shall have to be measured at intermediate locations also.

Furthermore, the successful bidder will also have to ascertain soil parameters through sub-soil investigation at different stretches of 1,032 acres of land. The scope of sub-soil investigation covers soil investigation and execution of complete soil exploration to construct the sub-station foundations, boundary walls, proposed roads, and embankments at different locations. 

The successful bidder will need to do the field execution by June 12, 2020, and the completed report should be submitted by June 30, 2020.

To be eligible for participating in the bidding process, the bidders must have completed previously, detailed soil investigation work, which includes conducting fields and laboratory tests and submission of reports. The firm should also have done surveys and soil resistivity tests previously.

In December 2019, we had reported that the WBSEDCL had issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the engagement of reputed consultants for the 125 MW Phase – I and the 75 MW Phase – II solar projects. The scope of work for the selected bidder is to provide consultancy services for detailed planning, preparation of the tender documents, bid evaluation, design engineering review, and supervision of preparation work of the two solar projects. The scope of work also includes, but isn’t limited to, construction monitoring services during project execution in compliance with technical specifications, an inspection of performance of works, witness and assist in certification of quality tests, an on-site physical inspection of the equipment.

In July 2019, BHEL had issued tender seeking bids from eligible parties for conducting Geotechnical investigations and Bathymetric survey works of the water body for the company’s proposed project site for the 100 MW floating solar power plant at NTPC Ramagundam.