The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for the development of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected renewable energy projects under its SECI-FDRE-IX program. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s renewable energy infrastructure by ensuring a reliable supply of clean power during peak demand periods while supporting grid stability through integrated energy storage solutions.
According to the tender document, SECI plans to select renewable energy power developers capable of providing an assured peak power supply of 4,800 MWh, equivalent to 1,200 MW for four hours every day. The projects will be developed on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis, with developers responsible for establishing, owning, and operating the facilities throughout the project lifecycle.
The selected developers will sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SECI, which will act as an intermediary procurer. The generated power will subsequently be supplied to various state-owned distribution companies (DISCOMs), helping them meet growing electricity demand with firm and dispatchable renewable energy. The initiative reflects India’s ongoing efforts to integrate large-scale renewable energy capacity while ensuring a stable and reliable power supply.
The bidding process will be conducted through a single-stage, two-envelope competitive bidding mechanism on the ISN-ETS electronic tendering platform. Developers participating in the tender will be responsible for securing land, obtaining all necessary approvals and permits, and arranging grid connectivity for their projects.
SECI has also specified several financial requirements for prospective bidders. The cost of the RfS document has been fixed at INR 50,000 plus applicable GST and must be paid through electronic transfer. In addition, bidders are required to pay a non-refundable bid processing fee calculated at INR 20,000 per MW of quoted capacity, subject to a maximum limit of INR 20 lakh plus GST.
To ensure serious participation, the tender mandates the submission of an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 9.68 lakh per MW of rated cumulative installed capacity. The EMD can be provided through a Bank Guarantee, Payment on Order Instrument (POI), or an Insurance Surety Bond and must accompany the bid submission.
Successful bidders will be required to replace the EMD with a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) before signing the PPA. The PBG has been fixed at INR 24.20 lakh per MW of rated installed capacity and serves as a financial safeguard to ensure project completion and compliance with contractual obligations.
SECI released the RfS notification on June 5, 2026. An online pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for June 17, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST through Microsoft Teams, where potential bidders can seek clarifications regarding the tender conditions. The deadline for both online and offline bid submissions is July 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST. Techno-commercial bids will be opened on July 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST. Qualified bidders will subsequently be invited to participate in an e-Reverse Auction, with the schedule to be communicated separately by SECI.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
