CMPDI Issues ₹155.23 Crore Fast-Track Solar Tender for BCCL Amid CIL’s Regulatory Pressure

The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), a Miniratna subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has invited turnkey bids for a 25 MW (AC) / 35 MWp (DC) solar power project at the Dugdha-II site of the Dugdha Coal Washery in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Valued at an estimated ₹155.23 crore, this tender is being executed on behalf of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). The move comes under the shadow of recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) scrutiny, which highlighted “tardy implementation” of CIL’s solar initiatives—revealing that the coal giant had met just 4.08% of its 3 GW renewable target by late 2024. In response, CIL is aggressively accelerating capital expenditure, with ₹9.61 billion already deployed for solar projects in FY 2026 as it attempts to de-risk its energy portfolio.

Technical Project Specifications

The proposed installation is a ground-mounted, grid-connected solar power plant designed to modernize BCCL’s energy infrastructure. The contract dictates a “Full Lifecycle Responsibility” model for the successful bidder.

• Capacity: 25 MW (AC) / 35 MWp (DC).
• Installation Type: Ground-mounted, grid-connected solar array.
• Turnkey Scope: Comprehensive responsibility for design, engineering, procurement, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning.
• Operational Tail: Beyond the construction phase, the contractor is mandated to provide 10 years of comprehensive Operation and Maintenance (O&M), which accounts for 90% of the total contractual duration.

Financial Investment and Contractual Timeline

The project represents a substantial financial commitment to the Jharkhand region, structured to ensure long-term operational viability through a decade of dedicated maintenance.

Bidder Eligibility and Financial Criteria

CMPDI has outlined rigorous qualification standards to ensure the technical and fiscal robustness of prospective partners:

• Technical Experience: Bidders must have successfully completed similar solar PV projects (ground-mounted, rooftop, or floating) within the last 10 years.
• Average Annual Turnover: Prospective firms must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of at least 30% of the estimated project cost over the last three fiscal years, ending March 31, 2025.
• Net Worth Requirements: A minimum net worth of 10% of the project cost as of the last financial year is mandatory. All individual members of a consortium must maintain a positive net worth.
• Joint Venture (JV) Regulations: JVs of up to three companies are permitted. The lead member must hold a minimum 50% participation share, while each non-lead member is required to hold a minimum 20% share.

Administrative Timeline and Compliance

The bidding and contractual process is governed by the Coal India e-procurement portal and necessitates strict adherence to administrative milestones.

• Online Bidding: All bids must be submitted via the Coal India e-procurement portal. Participants must possess a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
• Tender Release & Validity: The tender was issued on March 30, 2026. Bids must remain valid for 180 days from the submission deadline.
• Contractual Milestones: The successful bidder is required to submit a Performance Bank Guarantee within 21 days of acceptance and sign the formal agreement within 60 days.
• Work Commencement: Execution must begin within 30 days of the Letter of Acceptance or within seven days of site handover, whichever is later.
• “Make in India” Compliance: The project mandates the use of domestically manufactured components in accordance with Order No. P-45021/2/2017-PP (BE-II).

BCCL and CIL’s Renewable Portfolio

This tender is a pivotal component of BCCL’s ongoing expansion into green energy. The company recently inaugurated 51 rooftop solar plants with a cumulative capacity of 2.428 MW and has other ground-mounted projects—a 20 MW site at Dugdha Washery and a 25 MW installation at Bhojudih Coal Washery—currently in development.

On a group level, however, the scale of the challenge remains immense. While CIL aims for approximately 9.5 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, government data provided to the Rajya Sabha in March 2026 indicates CIL’s current installed solar capacity is only ~247 MW, with another ~635 MW under development. This ₹155.23 crore project at the Dugdha site serves as a vital step in scaling that capacity to meet national energy transition and sustainable mining objectives.