The Sonpur Division (Electrical) of Central Railway has invited bids to develop a 1.24 MW rooftop solar power system in Bihar under a public-private partnership model. The electricity generated will be supplied to Indian Railways for 25 years at a fixed tariff of Rs 5.59 per kWh. The tender submission deadline is December 13, 2024. The project has an estimated cost of Rs 48.4 million, and the selected developer will be responsible for operating and maintaining the system for the entire 25-year period.
According to the tender guidelines, bidders must submit a deposit of Rs 969,200 along with a non-refundable tender document fee of Rs 10,000. The financial eligibility criteria require bidders to have a total contract amount over the last three financial years equivalent to at least 150 per cent of the estimated project cost. For consortiums, each member must hold a minimum equity share of 26 per cent in the special purpose vehicle.
According to the eligibility criteria, bidders must have received payments for at least one grid-connected solar project over the past three financial years with a value equivalent to at least 35 per cent of the contracted capacity. Additionally, they are required to submit a list of commissioned projects, including commissioning certificates and work orders from the respective clients.
In April 2024, Southern Railway issued a request for proposals to install 1.2 MW rooftop solar projects at various locations in Perambur, Chennai, to be developed under the renewable energy service company model, with an estimated project cost of Rs 169.8 million.
