Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued an advisory to power T&D licensees to insist on primary-grade copper, in their procurement process.
The advisory states that power transmission and distribution licensees shall specify suitable clauses in their tenders that only primary grade copper items conforming to IS91: 2007, IS12444: 2020, IS613: 2000, IS1897: 2008 (of latest issue) are used for manufacturing of the copper wire rods, bars, strips etc for use in electrical and general engineering purposes, and only these items are further used for the manufacturing of downstream products such as cables, transformers and other electro-technical products conforming to relevant Indian Standard by all manufacturers.
In order to ensure the implementation of Indian Standards, these process and quality checks shall be made as mandatory conditions to be fulfilled by the finished equipment suppliers/ manufacturers participating in all the tenders issued by all power transmission and distribution licensees, the advisory states.
All procuring entities will ensure that their tender documents incorporate the following:
- Quality certification: All primary copper manufacturers have their own testing facilities and provide their own test/ quality certificates mentioning the elemental analysis of copper wires, rods, bars, strips, cakes, billets and ingots supplied to their customers. The bidder shall produce a valid certificate to the procurer of cables, transformers and other electrotechnical products at the time of participation in the bid.
- Sampling: Sampling and inspection of cables, transformers and other products shall be conducted at the site of delivery mentioned during the award of contract. Such sampling and inspections shall be over and above the existing on-site inspection(s) and testing at facility of manufacturer or supplier.
- Source certification: The bidder shall be required to submit with the bid the declaration by the manufacturer or supplier revealing the actual source of copper wires, rods bars, strips, cakes, billets and ingots used for making cables, transformers and other products through a certification from their Statutory Auditor/ Cost Auditor. The submission of such certification from their Statutory Auditor or Cost Auditor shall be a precondition for participation in the bids issued by procuring entities for the procurement of cables, transformers, and other products to be used in electric power lines.
Standing Committee & Compliance
The CEA advisory also states that a standing committee shall be constituted by respective transmission and distribution licensees to address the grievances arising out of the non – compliance or violations of any condition of tender document.
Further, a quarterly compliance report relating on the above advisory shall be furnished by procuring entities to the Member (Power Systems), Central Electricity Authority.
Also read CEA Proposes Amendment To Metering Regulations
Featured photograph showing copper CC (continuously cast) copper rods is for representation only.
