Bihar Invites Bids For O&M Tender For Its Supaul Floating Solar Plant

The Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) has issued a tender to select an agency for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of a 525 kW floating solar power plant at Rajapokhar in Supaul district. The project, which has been designed as a long-term initiative of the state government as an alternative way to harness solar power in the land-locked region. The last date to submit the tender is September 22. 

According to the tender, the selected agency will initially sign a seven-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC), with the possibility of extension up to 22 years. The bidding process is being conducted through national competitive bidding and aims to bring in a partner capable of ensuring smooth and efficient functioning of the state’s first-of-its-kind floating solar facility.

The timeline has already been set. BREDA will host a pre-bid meeting in Patna on 10 September, while the deadline for submitting bids is 22 September. Technical bids will be opened the following day, with the financial round to be announced later. Bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹1 lakh and pay a tender fee of ₹11,800.

Scope of Work 

The agency taking charge of the project will be responsible for keeping the plant running at optimal levels, which means daily monitoring of inverter operations and solar generation, regular cleaning of modules, inspections of floaters, and preventive as well as corrective maintenance. The scope also includes replacing faulty equipment, providing round-the-clock security, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards, and securing valid insurance policies for the entire contract period.

BREDA has set clear performance benchmarks. The contractor must maintain a Performance Ratio (PR) of at least 70 percent and a Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 15 percent, with certain tolerances built in. The solar modules, in line with the government’s push for domestic manufacturing, must be “Made in India” crystalline silicon modules of 540 Wp or higher, backed by warranties stretching up to 25 years.

Wind Speed Resilience 

The floating platform itself has been specified to withstand extreme conditions, including wind speeds of up to 150 kmph. It will use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) floats designed for a lifespan of 25 years, along with floating walkways for easy access and maintenance. The system will be integrated with a real-time remote monitoring system to track generation and downtime.

BREDA has also made it clear that it reserves the right to cancel the tender at any stage, underscoring the seriousness of the selection process. With this project, Bihar is not only adding renewable capacity but also stepping into the relatively new domain of floating solar – a technology seen as crucial for states with land constraints.