NTPC And TPCL Invite International Bids For 50 MW Solar Project In Sri Lanka With BESS

Trincomalee Power Company Limited (TPCL), a strategic joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s NTPC Limited, has officially announced an international competitive bidding process for a landmark renewable energy project in Sri Lanka. The project involves the development of the Phase-I Solar Power Project at Sampoor, Trincomalee, which will feature a 50 MW$_{ac}$ ground-mounted solar facility. This initiative represents a major step in strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and India to expand the island nation’s green energy infrastructure.

The selected Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of the solar project. This includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, and commissioning of the 50 MW$_{ac}$ solar photovoltaic plant. A notable feature of the project is the integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of at least 20 MW/20 MWh. The BESS is expected to enhance grid stability and facilitate efficient energy management. Following commissioning, the contractor will also be required to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for a period of five years.

TPCL has set stringent qualifying criteria for bidders to ensure the project is executed by experienced global players. Eligible bidders must have successfully commissioned at least two solar PV plants of 50 MW$_{ac}$ or more on an EPC basis, with these plants having been operational for at least two years. Financially, bidders must demonstrate an average annual turnover of at least $38 million USD over the preceding three financial years and possess a net worth not less than 100% of their paid-up share capital.

The project has a well-defined timeline, with total completion expected within 21 months from the commencement of works. Key milestones for interested bidders include the issuance of the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) on December 18, 2025, and the start of document downloads from December 20, 2025. The deadline for queries is January 19, 2026, followed by a pre-bid conference scheduled for January 30, 2026. Bids must be submitted by February 18, 2026, and the techno-commercial bid opening is planned for February 19, 2026.

Financial requirements for the bidding process are significant, reflecting the scale of the project. Bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), referred to as Bid Security, of $585,000 USD. This security must remain valid for at least 45 days beyond the 180-day bid validity period. Additional financial guarantees, such as the Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG), will be detailed in the full bidding documents.

The bidding process will be conducted online through a Single Stage Two Envelope system, followed by an e-Reverse Auction. Interested bidders must pay $250 USD for the bidding documents and a $100 registration fee via the electronic tender portal. For any communications related to the project, TPCL’s Colombo office is the primary contact point, while NTPC Limited will act as the Project Management Consultant to oversee the project’s execution.

This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity while strengthening India-Sri Lanka collaboration in the energy sector.