NTPC REL Invitation for Bids: 200 MW Solar Balance of System Package in Bikaner, Rajasthan

NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Balance of System (BoS) package for a 200 MW capacity block in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Identified by tender reference NRE-CS-5800-004(BOS1)-9, the package pertains to either Block-VIII or Block-IX, which are components of a larger 1000 MW (2×300 MW + 2×200 MW) grid-connected solar development project. Procurement is being conducted via domestic competitive bidding on a single-stage, two-envelope basis, with a Reverse Auction serving as the final selection mechanism.

Technical Scope of Work

The selected contractor will be responsible for the comprehensive Balance of System requirements, excluding the supply of solar PV modules. The scope includes:

• Design and Commissioning: Engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the Solar PV plant.
• Site Infrastructure: Site grading, vegetation clearing, topographical surveys, and geotechnical investigations.
• Construction Utilities: Provision and arrangement of power and water supply for all construction-related activities.
• Module Mounting Structures (MMS): Design and construction of foundations and erection of tracker-based MMS, including module fixing and interconnection.
• Civil and Building Works: Construction of Pre-Engineered Inverter rooms (for central inverter configurations) or HT Switchgear rooms (specifically for string inverter configurations), including power conditioning units and associated switchgear.
• Grid Compliance and Electricals: Supply and installation of dynamic reactive power compensation equipment and harmonic filters to meet CEA technical standards for grid connectivity. The scope further includes transformers, panels, protection systems, and 33kV level metering.
• Power Evacuation: Supply, laying, and termination of HT cables from the block boundary to the 33kV Main Pooling Switchgear at the owner’s pooling substation.
• Ancillary Systems: Implementation of module cleaning systems (with all accessories), SCADA systems for remote monitoring and control, Weather Monitoring Stations (including cloud cover monitoring), and 100% periphery CCTV coverage for blocks and entry/exit gates.
• Spares: Supply of all mandatory spares as defined in the technical specifications.

Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and Bidder Eligibility

The contractor is required to provide three years of comprehensive Operation & Maintenance for the SPV plant. This O&M mandate includes all electrical equipment, the provision of consumables, and the supply of spare parts starting from the date of full project commissioning.

Bidders must satisfy the following qualifying requirements for the 200 MW capacity block:

Technical Criteria Bidders must have designed, supplied, and commissioned (or supervised the same) grid-connected solar projects with a cumulative installed capacity of 40 MWp or higher. At least one reference plant must have a capacity of 10 MWp or higher and must have been in successful operation for at least six months prior to the techno-commercial bid opening. Notably, grid-connected roof-top and floating solar projects are considered eligible for meeting these requirements.

Financial Criteria (200 MW Specific)

Timeline and Submission Details

As per Corrigendum No. 1, the following schedule defines the critical milestones for bid participation:

• IFB Issuance Date: 09.04.2025
• Pre-Bid Conference and Query Deadline: 24.04.2025 at 11:00 hrs (IST)
• Bidding Document Download Deadline: 02.05.2025; 17:00 hrs (IST)
• Last Date for Receipt of Bids (Techno-Commercial and Price): 15.05.2025 up to 15:00 hrs (IST)
• Techno-Commercial Bid Opening Date: 15.05.2025 at 15:30 hrs (IST)
• Cost of Bidding Documents: INR 22,500
• Tender Portal: https://ntpctender.ntpc.co.in

Administrative Requirements

Participation is contingent upon registration with M/s ISN Electronic Tender Services (ETS). To obtain the bidding documents, interested parties must submit a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in the prescribed format; failure to provide a compliant NDA will result in the denial of download authorization.

Bidders must submit the cost of bidding documents via Demand Draft or NEFT/Electronic Transfer. When making payments, bidders are required to provide their GSTIN and ETS Organization ID. In the case of electronic transfers, a copy of the transfer receipt must be emailed from the bidder’s registered email ID to the concerned nodal officers at NTPC REL to gain document access.

Eligibility is also governed by land border regulations. Bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must be registered with the Competent Authority. This requirement also applies to bidders with a specified Transfer of Technology (ToT) arrangement with an entity from such countries. However, exemptions apply to bidders from countries to which the Government of India has extended lines of credit or those involved in developmental projects engaged by the Government of India.