Cochin Port Trust invites bids for 1.5 MW Floating Solar Power Project

The project will be implemented under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model. The deadline for bid submission is February 2, 2024, with bids to be opened on the same day. Bidders are required to provide an earnest money deposit of ₹251,000 (~$2903.14) and a performance bank guarantee of 5% of the estimated project cost.

The scope of work for the selected bidder includes surveying, designing, engineering, manufacturing, supplying, erecting, and commissioning the floating solar power plant. Additionally, the bidder will be responsible for storage, civil works, and operation and maintenance (O&M) services for a period of 25 years.

The project also requires the integration of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) facilities. The solar power generated will need to be interconnected with the port’s 11 kV grid at the Cochin Port Authority’s 110 kV substation. This will involve installing a new 11 kV VCB panel, coupled to the existing 11 kV bus. They may have to install an additional 25% capacity at the port authority’s discretion.

Successful bidders must ensure a minimum capacity utilization factor of 21% and a maximum capacity utilization factor of 28%. They must use cells and modules included in the Approved List of Modules and Manufacturers.

Bidders must use commercially established and operational technologies to minimize technology risk and achieve timely project commissioning.

The project will cover 15,000 sq m in the Vembanad backwaters near the Cochin Port Authority’s walkway avenue between the Board of Trustees junction and Willingdon Island’s Kannangatt bridge. The project must be a 750 m long and 20 m wide single module or two segments, each 375 m long and 20 m wide.

Bidders must have had a minimum annual turnover of ₹18.7 million (~$216,290) in the last three financial years.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways set a target of achieving 60% of the total power requirement in major ports through renewable energy by 2030 under the Maritime India Vision 2030.

In 2023, ILIOS Power, a Telangana-based solar project developer, won an engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance contract from Bharat Petroleum Corporation for 6.9 MW floating solar power projects in Kerala.