The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has officially issued an invitation for e-tenders regarding the facility management and comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of a 1.5 MWp rooftop solar PV plant at Chennai International Airport. As the fifth busiest airport in India, handling over 22 million passengers annually, Chennai serves as a critical southern gateway where infrastructure reliability is paramount. This tender specifically targets the sustained performance of the solar installation located at the Integrated Cargo Complex. The primary objective is to safeguard the airport’s green energy backbone, ensuring that the facility continues to meet its ambitious environmental and operational efficiency goals through professional third-party maintenance.
Project Scope and Infrastructure Details
The contract focuses on a 1.5 MWp Roof Top Grid-Connected Solar PV system, a cornerstone of the airport’s sustainability strategy. Chennai International Airport has achieved the significant milestone of operating entirely on green energy, and this specific rooftop installation is instrumental in that achievement, currently supplying approximately 80% of the total power requirements for the Integrated Cargo Complex.
The plant’s origins trace back to a landmark 2014 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AAI and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), aimed at deploying 50 MW of solar capacity across AAI-owned airports. By maintaining this high-output system, the airport significantly reduces its reliance on the state grid, lowers its carbon footprint, and stabilizes energy expenditures for the cargo section.
Contractual and Financial Framework
The procurement process utilizes an “Item Rate” e-tender format. From a journalistic perspective, this framework is designed to provide maximum transparency and fiscal accountability, as it requires bidders to provide specific unit pricing for various maintenance tasks and components.
Tender Financials and Duration
| Parameter | Value |
| Estimated Project Cost | Rs. 1,60,91,556 (excluding GST) |
| Contract Duration | 36 Months (3 years) |
| Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) | Rs. 4,82,747 (3% of project value) |
| Tender Processing Fee | Rs. 1,180 (including GST) |
| Tender Type | Open Tender / Item Rate |
Bidder Eligibility and Statutory Compliance
To maintain the high standards required for such a critical utility, AAI has mandated rigorous eligibility and compliance criteria for all prospective contractors:
- Licensing and Statutory Registration: Bidders must hold a valid Electrical Contractor’s License issued by a State Licensing Authority. Furthermore, they must provide proof of registration for GST, Permanent Account Number (PAN), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
- Technical Experience: Candidates must demonstrate successful experience in the O&M of grid-connected solar power plants within the last seven years.
- Financial Standing: Applicants are required to show an annualized average financial turnover of at least 30% of the estimated project cost and maintain a positive net worth. AAI will disqualify any firm that has incurred continuous losses over the preceding three financial years.
- Exclusions: In the interest of singular accountability, the tender is restricted to individual entities; consortiums and joint ventures are strictly prohibited from bidding.
Critical Tender Timeline and Submission Process
The bidding process is governed by a Two-Envelope System, where Envelope-I consists of the Technical Bid and pre-qualification documents, and Envelope-II contains the Financial Bid. All submissions must be processed via the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal.
Tender Identifiers:
- Tender ID: 2026_AAI_278126_1
- TENDER PORTAL: https://etenders.gov.in/eprocure
- Tender Reference Number: AAI/CHE/AMED-VII/2026/02
Milestone Schedule:
- Document Download Start: May 21, 2026, at 09:00 hours.
- Clarification Deadline: May 28, 2026, at 16:00 hours.
- Bid Submission Deadline: June 11, 2026, at 15:00 hours.
- Technical Bid Opening: June 12, 2026, at 15:30 hours.
- Financial Bid Opening: June 15, 2026, at 15:00 hours (subject to technical evaluation).
Implementation and Authority
The project is managed by the Senior Manager of Engineering Electrical (AMED-VII) on behalf of the Chairman of AAI. The Tender Inviting Authority is headquartered at the Operational Office, 1st Floor, Electrical Maintenance Division, Chennai Airport.
This maintenance contract represents a vital link in AAI’s aggressive pursuit of renewable energy across its nationwide portfolio. By securing long-term expertise for the Chennai installation, AAI reinforces its commitment to modernizing India’s aviation infrastructure through sustainable, self-reliant power solutions.
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