Lakshadweep Electricity Department Issues EoI for 2.1 MW Hybrid Rooftop Solar Empanelment

The Lakshadweep Electricity Department (LED) has signaled a significant expansion of the Union Territory’s renewable energy footprint, issuing an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the empanelment of vendors and a comprehensive rate contract for 2.1 MW of distributed hybrid grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems. This initiative, targeted at government buildings across the archipelago, marks a critical step in the territory’s ambitious roadmap to displace expensive, polluting diesel-based thermal generation with clean, resilient energy infrastructure. The move follows the successful commissioning of India’s first on-grid solar-plus-storage projects in the region last year, underscoring a rapid scaling of local renewable ambition.

Project Scope and Capacity

The LED is targeting a cumulative capacity of 2,107 kW (approximately 2.1 MW) to be distributed across the unique geography of the Union Territory. By utilizing rooftop space on government assets, the department aims to decentralize power generation and bolster energy security on islands including Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Androth, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kiltan, and Minicoy.

The project is structured to accommodate varying architectural and energy requirements through the following sizing parameters:

• Minimum System Capacity: 1 kW
• Maximum System Capacity: 500 kW
• Total Program Target: 2,107 kW

This 2.1 MW solicitation represents a strategic scale-up from the 1.7 MW combined capacity established by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Honeywell in 2024, which previously served as the territory’s renewable benchmark.

Contracting Model and Structure

The commercial framework is defined as a “Rate Contract” for empanelment, operating under a Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) delivery model. Under this structure, the selected vendors bear the initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) and technical risks. The developers will recover their investment through the established rate contract while maintaining the assets before eventually transferring ownership to the LED.

The scope of work for empanelled vendors is comprehensive, covering the entire lifecycle of the installation:

• Pre-installation: Detailed site surveys, design, and engineering.
• Execution: Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning (SITC).
• Long-term Sustainability: A mandatory 10-year period of comprehensive Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

Technical Specifications and Hybrid Integration

To address the intermittency of solar power in an island grid environment, the LED has mandated a hybrid configuration. Every system must integrate a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to ensure grid stability and smooth power delivery. The storage requirement is set at a ratio of 3 kWh of BESS capacity for every 1 kW of solar PV capacity.

Empanelled vendors are responsible for the management and integration of primary technical components, including:

• High-efficiency Solar PV Modules (ALMM compliant)
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Hybrid/Grid-interactive Inverters
• Balance of System (BOS) components and monitoring hardware

Regulatory Compliance and ALMM Requirements

In a move to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports, the LED has mandated strict adherence to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). As a government-assisted project, bidders must comply with the two-tier sourcing structure:

• ALMM List-I: Mandatory use of approved solar PV modules.
• ALMM List-II: Mandatory use of approved solar PV cells, following the operationalization of this list effective June 1, 2026.

This requirement aligns with the national policy shift toward localized manufacturing, ensuring that all components—from cells to modules—originate from verified domestic facilities.

Tender Timeline and Submission Details

The procurement process is being managed through the UTL eProcurement portal. Critical milestones for interested bidders are summarized below:

Next Steps

Prospective bidders are required to conduct site surveys and submit their proposals via the official eProcurement system. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled to facilitate technical clarifications; this will be held at the Electrical Sub Division, Willingdon Island, Kochi-682003, or via Video Conferencing (VC) on May 16, 2026.

TENDER PORTAL: https://tendersutl.gov.in/nicgep/app

Administrative and technical inquiries may be directed to the Nodal Officer, Executive Engineer R. Ravichandar, at the Divisional Office in Kavaratti, UT of Lakshadweep, Pincode 682555. Full tender documentation and eligibility criteria are available on the UTL eProcurement portal (tendersutl.gov.in).