Lakshadweep Electricity Department Issues Expression of Interest for 2.1 MW Rooftop Solar and 5.5 MWh Battery Storage Project

The Lakshadweep Electricity Department (LED) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the empanelment of vendors to deploy distributed hybrid grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plants across the archipelago. The initiative seeks to install a cumulative solar capacity of 2107 kW integrated with 5525 kWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Targeted for installation on various government buildings, the project will be executed under a CAPEX procurement model to strengthen the Union Territory’s renewable energy infrastructure and reduce its heavy reliance on diesel-based generation.

Project Scope and Vendor Responsibilities

Selected vendors will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the solar-plus-storage systems. Given the geographical fragmentation of the islands, these distributed systems are critical for localized grid stability. Vendor responsibilities include:

• Engineering and Execution: Performance of site surveys, detailed engineering, and system design, followed by the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of all equipment.
• Operational Continuity: Provision of comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) services for a 10-year duration post-commissioning.
• Administrative Framework: While LED serves as the technical nodal agency for empanelment and technical supervision, the specific government departments occupying the buildings will issue individual work orders and manage vendor payments.

Infrastructure analysts note that the current project’s storage-to-power ratio stands at approximately 2.6 kWh of storage per kW of solar capacity. This represents a slight deviation from the 3:1 ratio often benchmarked in regional rooftop solar tenders, signaling a tailored approach to the load profiles of government administrative buildings.

Bidding and Empanelment Details

The procurement utilizes a “two-bid system,” requiring separate technical and financial submissions. Financial selection will be based on the L1 (lowest) rate discovery method. Successful empanelment is valid for three years, while individual work orders issued under this framework carry a one-year validity.

• UT Administration of Lakshadweep Official Website: Tender Notice for 2,107 kW Hybrid Rooftop Solar
• eProcurement System (UTL): Tender ID: 2026_UTL_3330_1

Tender Schedule and Requirements

Regional Energy Context and Infrastructure

This EOI is a tactical implementation of the broader strategy to mitigate the logistical bottleneck of barrel-shipped diesel from mainland Kerala. Because the islands are separated by significant sea distances and lack a single interconnected power grid, decentralized BESS-integrated solar is essential for energy security.

The archipelago’s renewable energy landscape includes several high-impact projects:

• Kavaratti/Agatti Project: Commissioned on January 3, 2024, by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and SunSource Energy, this 1.7 MW solar and 1.4 MWh BESS installation is a cornerstone of the region’s green transition. It is projected to yield commercial savings of Rs. 250 crores and reduce diesel consumption by 190 lakh litres, offsetting 58,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan.
• Existing Capacity: Approximately 2.5 MW of rooftop solar is already operational across various islands.
• Utility-Scale Pipeline: A 9 MW solar project featuring 32 MWh of BESS is currently under implementation to provide base-load support to the isolated island grids.

Regulatory and Operational Roadmap

The energy sector in the Union Territory is governed by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the State of Goa and Union Territories. As of FY 2023-24, the Lakshadweep Electricity Department manages an installed capacity of 26.262 MW and serves 27,351 consumers.

A primary focus for the department is the aggressive reduction of Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, which stood at 12.42% in FY 2023-24. The JERC has mandated a declining loss trajectory, targeting a reduction to 8.00% by FY 2029-30. The deployment of decentralized rooftop solar is expected to play a vital role in meeting these efficiency targets by generating power closer to the point of consumption.

The strategic direction for these initiatives is codified in the “Integrated Report on Greening of the Islands,” prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in July 2025. This roadmap serves as the definitive guide for decarbonizing the archipelago’s energy mix and systematically phasing out diesel dependence through large-scale renewable integration.