NTPC REL Issues Tender for Land and Power Evacuation for Major Solar Project in Anantapur

NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) has advanced its procurement cycle for the Anantapur solar cluster with the release of Corrigendum No. 3 to the original Invitation for Bids (IFB). This comprehensive tender focuses on the Land and Power Evacuation Package for ISTS-connected solar PV projects in Andhra Pradesh, featuring a massive base capacity of 900MW and a 300MW Green Shoe option. As per the latest filings, NTPC REL intends to finance this infrastructure expansion through “Own Resources/Borrowings,” marking a significant step in the utility’s renewable energy roadmap.

Land Requirement and Site Development Specifications

The scope of work involves securing land parcels near the Anantapur ISTS substation through either Government or private land arrangements. Bidders are tasked with ensuring the site meets specific topographical and structural standards suitable for modern solar technology.

Note: While the land must be developed to support tracker-based Module Mounting Systems (MMS), the supply and installation of the tracker system itself is explicitly excluded from the bidder’s scope.

Power Evacuation and Substation Infrastructure

The package details a robust technical scope for engineering and commissioning, ensuring seamless power flow to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). The “Power Evacuation Related Works” include:

• Substation Type: Design, engineering, and commissioning of an AIS Pooling Substation (400kV or 220kV, depending on quoted capacity) equipped with associated SAS and protection.
• Equipment: Supply and installation of 33 kV Pooling Switchgear and Tie Transformers (400kV/33kV or 220kV/33kV).
• Grid Connection: Construction of an EHV Transmission Line from the pooling substation to the ISTS Sub-Station, including the design and construction of terminal bay(s) at the ISTS end and securing necessary “Right of Way.”
• Additional Technical Works: Implementation of telemetry systems for data communication, installation of a Common Power Plant Controller (Main and Sub-PPCs), and a mandatory Grid Compliance Study for the associated solar plants.
• Operational Scope: Provision of 3 years of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) services for the pooling substation, transmission line, and terminal bays at the ISTS end, following project commissioning.

Bidder Qualification and Financial Criteria

NTPC REL has established stringent eligibility benchmarks to ensure the selection of technically capable and financially stable partners.

Technical Criteria Bidders must have executed grid-connected solar or wind projects with a cumulative capacity of at least 100MW, including at least one project of 50MW or higher at a single location. This experience must encompass both land arrangement and the successful procurement of technical feasibility approvals for power evacuation through STU/ISTS substations.

Financial Criteria

• Average Annual Turnover: For capacities exceeding 300MW, bidders must show a turnover of at least Rs 6.49 Lakhs per MW, calculated over three of the preceding five financial years.
• Net Worth: Bidders must maintain a positive Net Worth (the sum total of paid-up share capital and free reserves) as of the last day of the preceding financial year.
• Corporate Definitions: Per the source context, “Holding Company” and “Subsidiary” shall have the meanings ascribed to them as per the Companies Act of India.

Bidding Schedule and Submission Details

The tender is being conducted through a Single Stage Two Envelope system. Interested parties must submit their bids online via the ETS Portal.

• Bid Submission Deadline: May 23, 2024, at 15:00:00 (IST)
• Techno-Commercial Bid Opening: May 23, 2024, at 15:30:00 (IST)
• Bidding Document Cost: INR 22,500 (non-refundable, payable via Demand Draft or NEFT)
• Tender Search Code: NTPCREL-2023-TN000029
• TENDER PORTAL: https://eprocurentpc.nic.in/nicgep/app

Important Compliance Notes

To remain eligible, bidders must adhere to the following non-negotiable regulatory and legal requirements:

• Bid Security Declaration: Bidders must submit a “Bid Security Declaration” in a separate sealed envelope; failure to provide this will result in immediate rejection.
• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): A signed NDA must be submitted via the ETS portal to gain authorization to download the official bidding documents.
• Land Border and Technology Restrictions: Bidders from countries sharing a land border with India, or any bidder with a Transfer of Technology (ToT) arrangement with an entity from such a country, must be registered with the Competent Authority. This requirement is waived for countries where the Government of India has extended lines of credit or is engaged in development projects.