Assam’s Directorate of Agriculture has floated bids to empanel manufacturers and system integrators for turnkey installation and commissioning of solar water pumping systems and solar tubewells. The successful bidder will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the solar water pumping systems for five years after they are installed.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders must submit Rs 1 million as an earnest money deposit. As a performance security deposit, the successful bidder must submit an amount equal to 3 per cent of the contract value. The technical specifications of the solar water pumping system with 2 HP DC solar pumps (surface/submersible) should comply with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) standard technical specifications. Only technically qualified bidders in the Energy Efficiency Services’ competitive bids will be eligible to participate in the bidding process.
The benchmark cost for standalone solar pumps will be determined by MNRE rates. A solar array with a minimum capacity of 900 W to 9,000 W, measured under standard testing conditions, should power the solar water pumping system. The bid submission deadline is March 17, 2023.
Recently, in March 2023, the Karnataka State Cabinet approved the proposal to execute the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan-B (PMKUSUM) scheme in the state, which will provide solar-powered irrigation pump sets to about 10,000 farmers.
