SMP Kolkata Invites Bids For 5 MW Solar Project At Haldia Dock On 30-Year Lease

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has invited bids for the allotment of around 14 acres of land at its Haldia Dock Complex for setting up a 5 MW (AC) ground-mounted solar power project. The land will be given on a long-term lease of 30 years on an “as-is-where-is” basis. The proposed site is located in the Industrial Zone at Mouza-Hatiberia, and the move is aimed at strengthening renewable energy capacity in the region.

According to the tender notice, reputed industrial houses and organizations can participate either individually or as part of a consortium. The selection will follow a tender-cum-auction process. Interested bidders will first undergo a techno-commercial evaluation. Only those who qualify in this stage will be allowed to participate in the price-based e-auction. The successful bidder will have the flexibility to choose between paying rent upfront or through an advance annual rent model.

For the solar project, the port has committed to a maximum annual power off-take of 32,40,000 units initially. After 2030, this is expected to increase to 70,00,000 units per year. Any excess electricity generated beyond the port’s requirement can be sold to outside agencies. However, the responsibility of signing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with third parties will rest entirely with the lessee, who will have to make such arrangements at their own cost.

The Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) was released on February 19, 2026. The last date for sending queries is February 27, 2026. A site inspection and offline pre-bid meeting are scheduled for March 5, 2026. Online submission of bids will begin on March 13, 2026. The last date for submission of the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and tender fee is March 20, 2026, by 13:30 hrs, while the online bid submission will close the same day at 14:30 hrs. The techno-commercial bids will be opened later that day after 16:00 hrs.

The bid document fee has been fixed at Rs. 2,950, including GST, and is non-refundable. The EMD amount is Rs. 1,49,03,874. In addition, successful bidders opting for annual rent will have to submit a security deposit equivalent to two years’ rent based on the highest accepted quoted amount, plus GST. This must be paid along with the upfront or advance rent before taking possession of the land.

All bids must be submitted electronically through the MSTC portal. Participants must hold at least a Class II digital signing certificate. Bids submitted below the reserve rate or after the deadline will be rejected, and the EMD may be forfeited.