SECI Announces Major Tender for 900 MWp of Domestically Manufactured Solar Modules

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a major tender for the procurement of 900 MWp of domestically manufactured solar PV modules, which must also utilize domestically produced solar cells. This initiative is part of SECI’s ongoing efforts to support and enhance India’s solar energy infrastructure and domestic manufacturing capabilities within the renewable energy sector.

With a substantial bid bond of INR 25,000,000 required from interested parties, the tender outlines a comprehensive process for submission and evaluation of bids. The deadline for both soft and hard copy bid submissions is set for Tuesday, March 12, 2024, with the bid opening also scheduled on the same day, signaling a transparent and streamlined process for potential bidders.

The tender specifies that the total 900 MWp capacity is divided into nine packages, each comprising 100 MWp. Bidders have the option to quote for packages ranging from 100 MWp to the full 900 MWp, in increments of 100 MWp, with no allowance for intermediate capacities. This structured approach ensures clarity and fairness in the bidding process, allowing participants to clearly state their capacities and intentions.

SECI’s tender document further details that bidders must adhere strictly to the predefined configurations and cannot alter their quoted capacities once submitted. This stipulation underscores the importance of firm commitments in the bidding stage, ensuring a reliable foundation for the subsequent e-Reverse Auction (e-RA) process.

The eligibility criteria for technical and financial capabilities are clearly outlined, scaling proportionally with the number of packages a bidder intends to supply. This requirement ensures that participants have the necessary qualifications and resources to fulfill their commitments, thereby safeguarding the quality and reliability of the solar modules supplied under the tender.

Moreover, SECI reserves the right to adjust the final awarded capacity by ±10% at the time of order placement, maintaining flexibility to accommodate project-specific needs. Additionally, an option for a repeat order of up to 100% of the awarded capacity is available, with the same price, terms, and conditions as the original contract, emphasizing SECI’s strategic planning for future scalability and project continuity.

This tender represents a significant step forward in India’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions and the promotion of domestic manufacturing in the solar energy sector.