The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Alipurduar Division – Electrical has issued a call for bids to develop 3.5 MW grid-connected rooftop solar power systems in Guwahati, Assam. The deadline for submitting bids is December 2024, with the completion timeline set at six months.

The project is divided into three tenders:

Tender 1 (1 MW): Requires an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ?425,300 (~$5,039). The tender’s estimated value is ?55 million (~$651,637).

Tender 2 (1.3 MW): Requires an EMD of ?492,500 (~$5,835). The tender is valued at ?68 million (~$810,314).

Tender 3 (1.2 MW): Requires an EMD of ?469,700 (~$5,564), with a project value of ?64 million (~$758,197).

The scope of work includes the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of rooftop solar systems, using 550 Wp or above monocrystalline solar modules, certified by IEC standards.

To qualify, bidders must demonstrate financial and technical capability, having completed similar projects in the last seven years. They must have handled at least three projects worth 30% of the tender value, two projects worth 40%, or one project worth 60% of the tender's advertised value.

This initiative follows NFR’s previous tender in August 2024, which targeted 2.93 MW of solar installations at 42 stations and 204 level crossings in the Rangiya division of Assam.

In parallel, Western Railway has also invited bids for a 1.2 MW on-grid rooftop solar project at its Mahalaxmi EMU workshop in Mumbai.

This push reflects Indian Railways' broader commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity and reducing its carbon footprint.