SECI Invites Bids To Procure 1,000 MW Of Excess Power From Existing Renewable Energy Projects (FDRE-VIII)

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited has announced a new initiative to better utilize the country’s existing renewable energy capacity by inviting proposals for the supply of 1,000 MW of excess power from operational renewable energy projects. The tender, identified as SECI-FDRE-VIII, focuses on projects that already have valid power purchase agreements but generate surplus electricity during solar hours that often remains unused. Through this mechanism, SECI aims to improve the availability of clean power during daytime hours and enhance overall grid efficiency.

The tender is open to renewable energy projects that are already commissioned and have surplus generation after meeting their existing contractual commitments. Under this scheme, developers will sign a fresh power purchase agreement with SECI for a period of 12 years. The power procured under this medium-term arrangement will be sold by SECI to various buying entities across India, helping them meet their renewable purchase obligations. This approach allows surplus renewable power to be absorbed into the grid instead of being curtailed, thereby improving asset utilization.

A key operational condition of the tender is that developers must ensure a minimum daily energy supply of 1.5 MWh for every 1 MW of contracted capacity during solar generation hours. At the same time, SECI has made it clear that existing PPAs will take priority. Only after fulfilling obligations under current agreements can developers supply excess power to SECI under this new arrangement.

To ensure serious participation and safeguard project execution, the request for the selection document includes detailed financial requirements. Each bid must be supported by an earnest money deposit of ₹9,54,000 per MW of the quoted capacity. This deposit can be submitted through a bank guarantee, a payment on order instrument issued by PFC or REC, or an insurance surety bond. In addition, selected bidders will be required to submit a performance bank guarantee before signing the power purchase agreement. The performance guarantee will act as security to ensure compliance with contractual obligations during the supply period.

The bidding process will be conducted online through the ISN-ETS portal and will follow a single-stage, two-envelope system. Interested bidders must download the official request for selection documents from the portal to be eligible to participate. The tender document was issued on December 26, 2025. While the exact timelines for bid submission and opening will be as per the notice inviting tender published on the ISN-ETS portal, bidders have been advised to regularly check the portal and SECI’s website for updates or amendments.

In terms of costs, bidders are required to pay a non-refundable document fee of ₹50,000 plus GST. A bid processing fee of ₹20,000 per MW plus GST is also applicable, subject to a maximum cap of ₹20 lakh plus GST. The total capacity under the tender is fixed at 1,000 MW, and the contract period will be counted from the scheduled commencement of supply date.

By tapping excess renewable energy from existing projects, SECI’s latest tender is expected to support better grid management, reduce wastage of clean power, and strengthen India’s renewable energy supply during peak solar hours.