The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has invited bids to select a Power Trading Licensee (PTL) as a collaboration partner for renewable power trading activities across India. The Request for Selection (RfS), issued under tender reference number SECI/C&P/MI/00/0001/26-27 on August 3, 2026, aims to strengthen SECI’s ability to market renewable energy, optimize power scheduling, and manage emerging clean energy assets, including energy storage systems.
Through this initiative, SECI intends to partner with a financially strong and technically qualified Category-I Inter-State Trading Licensee approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The selected partner will support SECI in trading surplus and untied renewable power available from various sources while helping improve market access for green energy projects.
The collaboration will cover multiple power trading models, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term power arrangements extending up to 25 years. The scope will include trading of untied renewable energy capacity as well as power available from existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) where buyers have not yet commenced power offtake.
In addition to power trading, the selected partner will also collaborate with SECI for the development of renewable energy and storage projects. These projects may include solar power plants, wind projects, hybrid renewable energy projects, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Pumped Storage Projects. The trading partner will be required to contribute a minimum equity share of 26 percent in joint ventures or special purpose vehicles formed for such capital expenditure projects.
The initial term of engagement under the agreement will be three years, with an option for a one-year extension based on satisfactory performance and mutual consent between SECI and the selected partner.
To qualify for participation, bidders must meet specific technical and financial eligibility criteria. Applicants must have achieved an average annual power trading volume of at least 10,000 Million Units (MU) during the last three financial years, covering FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and FY 2025-26. Additionally, bidders should have experience in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) or development of renewable energy projects with a cumulative capacity of at least 50 MW.
Financial eligibility requirements include a Minimum Average Annual Turnover (MAAT) of ₹422 crore over the same three-year period and a positive net worth during the latest financial year. SECI will evaluate bids through a Quality Cum Cost Based Selection (QCBS) approach, assigning 75 percent weightage to technical capabilities and 25 percent to the financial bid based on proposed trading margins.
The tender requires bidders to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹12 lakh through a Bank Guarantee or Insurance Surety Bond. Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) registered under UDYAM will be exempt from submitting the EMD and paying the bid processing fee.
The successful bidder will need to provide a Performance Security Deposit or Performance Bank Guarantee of ₹60 lakh within 15 days of receiving the Letter of Award (LoA). The selected entity must acknowledge the LoA within seven days and complete the Contract Agreement within 30 days of issuance.
The RfS was released on August 3, 2026, and interested bidders can seek clarifications within 15 days of publication. Bids will remain valid for 180 days from the technical bid opening date. Through this partnership, SECI aims to enhance renewable energy market integration and create stronger trading mechanisms for India’s expanding clean energy sector.
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