The West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) has floated a tender for the development of 9.9 MW of rooftop solar power projects on a turnkey basis in the state. The capacity is distributed over 990 rooftops using systems of 10 kW each. Developers will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning of the project. Further, successful bidders will also have to take care of the project’s comprehensive maintenance for five years. The project is estimated to cost Rs 405.9 million and must be completed with 300 days of the issue of the work order.Bidders will have to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 2.8 million and 10 per cent of the tendered value as the performance bank guarantee. The last date to submit bids is April 23, 2021.
To be eligible, bidders must have carried out similar work for a cumulative capacity of 2.64 MW. The project should have been commissioned before the date of the issuance of the tender. Further, the bidder must have recorded a minimum average turnover of Rs 40.6 million in the last five financial years. They must also hold liquid assets of at least Rs 13.5 million.
In January 2021, the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission made amendments to the Cogeneration and Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources Regulations 2013. Among the amendments was the mandate of a gross metering facility for rooftop solar systems above 5 kW in capacity.