OREDA Issues Empanelment Bid for Off-Grid Solar Applications

OREDA Issues Empanelment Bid for Off-Grid Solar Applications

The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA), a government undertaking, has issued a Request for Empanelment (RfE) seeking agencies for the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and five-year comprehensive maintenance of off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across Odisha.

The empanelment will be valid for one year from the date of the Empanelment Order, during which the selected agencies will implement solar street lights, mini masts, and high masts under a rate contract. OREDA has reserved the right to revise the total project capacity during this period.

Project Scope and Compliance

The scope of work includes full lifecycle responsibility for solar PV installations, with a mandatory focus on quality control, safety standards, and long-term maintenance. Successful bidders are expected to follow technical specifications, prudent utility practices, and regulatory norms in Odisha, with all components sourced from OREDA-approved OEMs.

All systems must be designed to endure local wind and lightning conditions, with remote monitoring, protection systems, and detailed documentation required through OREDA’s official mobile app, currently “ReSolve.”

Installation and Quality Control

Vendors must ensure neat and safe installations with appropriate signage, earth grounding, and display of key project details. OREDA will conduct pre-delivery inspections (PDI) and may send components to third-party labs like NISE, NABL, BIS, or MNRE-accredited institutions for quality testing. Any deviation may attract penalties, sanctions, or blacklisting of vendors and OEMs.

Commissioning and Monitoring

Testing and commissioning will be supervised by OREDA officials alongside beneficiaries, culminating in a Joint Commissioning Certificate (JCC). System health will be monitored for 90 days post-commissioning, after which formal acceptance will be granted.

Five-Year Maintenance Contract

The empaneled vendors must undertake scheduled and corrective maintenance for five years, with a mandatory resolution timeline of 72 hours for defects reported through OREDA’s Customer Relationship Centre (CRC). Delays will invite financial penalties of INR 10 per day per unit and may risk forfeiture of the performance bank guarantee.

Failure to meet service benchmarks for two years could lead to debarment or blacklisting. Vendors are also required to maintain spare parts inventory, establish a local office in Odisha, and train beneficiaries in basic maintenance.

Technical and Safety Standards

The systems must comply with relevant IEC and BIS standards and provide autonomy for at least 2.5 days or 30 operating hours. Streetlight poles must be hot-dip galvanized to withstand wind speeds of up to 180 km/h (200 km/h in coastal areas). All installations must meet IS 3043-2018 and CEA Safety Regulation 2010 grounding standards, with earth resistance not exceeding 5 ohms.

Each system must be accompanied by a Warranty Card detailing repair protocols and contact information. Specific warranty durations are mandated for solar modules, mounting poles, and electronic components.

OREDA retains oversight over all design approvals, supervision, and testing, and may engage third-party agencies to validate compliance.