GRIDCO Limited has invited bids to appoint a consultant for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the proposed 225 MW Upper Indravati Floating Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Odisha. The assessment will cover the project, its associated power evacuation infrastructure and transmission lines across Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts.
The Request for Proposal (RFP), issued on October 16, 2026, seeks an experienced consultant to assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the project and recommend measures to manage identified risks. The study will follow applicable Indian regulations, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards 2012 and the World Bank Group’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines.
Scope of the ESIA Consultancy
The selected consultant will undertake technical, physical, biological and socio-economic assessments to evaluate the proposed project’s potential effects on the surrounding environment and communities. The study will examine the project footprint over the Indravati reservoir, including possible impacts on water quality, aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The scope also includes a Critical Habitat Assessment to identify ecologically sensitive areas that may require special protection. Hydrodynamic water quality modelling and oil spill modelling for synthetic transformer oils will be conducted to evaluate potential environmental risks associated with project development and operation.
Battery Storage Safety and Climate Risk Assessment
Battery safety will be an important part of the consultancy assignment. The selected consultant will assess potential risks associated with fire incidents, thermal runaway, hazardous waste management and other environmental and operational hazards linked to the BESS installation.
A Climate Change Risk Assessment will also be carried out to evaluate the project’s vulnerability to climate-related risks and identify suitable adaptation measures.
In addition to the technical studies, the consultant will prepare key environmental and social management documents, including an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) and Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP). These documents will establish measures for managing environmental impacts, consulting affected stakeholders, addressing livelihood concerns and protecting vulnerable communities.
GRIDCO Tender Schedule and Bid Details
GRIDCO has outlined the following schedule and financial requirements for the consultancy tender:
- Project: 225 MW Upper Indravati Floating Solar PV and BESS Project
- Location: Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts, Odisha
- Tendering authority: GRIDCO Limited
- Scope: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment consultancy
- RFP issue date: October 16, 2026
- Pre-bid meeting: October 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM
- Pre-bid venue: GRIDCO Conference Hall, with video conferencing facilities
- Query responses/corrigendum: November 3, 2026
- Last date for bid submission: November 17, 2026, by 3:00 PM
- Techno-commercial bid opening: November 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Technical evaluation and qualified bidder declaration: November 20, 2026
- Price bid declaration: November 25, 2026
- Expected Letter of Award: December 2, 2026
- Contract agreement: December 23, 2026
The tender document costs ₹10,000 plus 18% GST, taking the total fee to ₹11,800. Bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹1 lakh. The successful consultant will be required to furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee of ₹2.5 lakh within 20 days of the work order. The guarantee must remain valid for 12 months, followed by a six-month claim period.
Bids must remain valid for at least 180 days from the submission deadline.
Project Assessment to Support Development
Through the ESIA consultancy, GRIDCO aims to identify and evaluate potential environmental and social risks associated with the proposed floating solar and battery storage project before its development. The assessment will help establish mitigation measures and management plans for the project’s proposed infrastructure, ecological setting and surrounding communities.
| Capacity | 225 MW Upper Indravati Floating Solar PV and BESS Project |
| Location | Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts, Odisha |
| Last Date | 17/11/2026 |
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