The Defence Estates Office (DEO), Bhopal Circle, under the Defence Estates Organization, has invited bids for the development of three solar power projects with a combined capacity of 96 MW in Jhansi and Babina Cantonments in Uttar Pradesh. The projects will be developed on vacant defence land under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) model.
The largest project is a 38 MW solar power plant at GLR Sy No. 270 in Jhansi Cantonment. The project will be developed across approximately 174.12 acres. A separate 30 MW solar project is planned at GLR Sy No. 271 in Jhansi Cantonment on around 135.84 acres. The third project is a 28 MW solar power plant at GLR Sy No. 103 in Babina Cantonment, covering approximately 128.99 acres.
The tenders are restricted to Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Central Government Statutory Bodies. Eligible entities can participate individually or through a consortium, subject to the conditions specified in the respective tender documents. For the 38 MW and 28 MW projects, consortium participation is permitted with a maximum of two members, while private sector participation is not allowed.
Under the DBFOMT structure, the selected concessionaire will be responsible for designing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining the solar plants. The projects are required to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD) within 24 months from the Appointed Date. Following COD, the facilities will be operated and maintained for a concession period of 25 years.
The financial model for the projects is based on revenue sharing with the Defence Estates Office. Bidders will quote the Annual Gross Revenue share offered to the Authority, and financial proposals will be evaluated based on the highest revenue share. Revenue collections will be managed through an escrow account under the terms of the concession agreement.
For the 38 MW project, the bid document fee is ₹10,000, while the required Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is ₹1.615 crore. The selected bidder will also have to submit a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹16.15 crore. The lead consortium member must retain at least 51% equity contribution and voting rights throughout the concession period.
The 30 MW Jhansi project carries a non-refundable bid document fee of ₹10,000, an EMD of ₹1.275 crore and a PBG requirement of ₹12.75 crore. The 28 MW Babina project requires an EMD of ₹1.19 crore and a PBG of ₹11.90 crore.
The RFPs were issued on September 21, 2026. Site visits for the projects are scheduled for September 29, followed by pre-bid meetings on October 1. Bids for the projects are due by October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Qualification proposals for the 38 MW and 28 MW projects will open on October 22, while the financial proposals for the 38 MW project are scheduled to open on November 3, 2026.
The tender process is structured as a single-stage, two-sub-stage e-procurement process. Technical qualification will include assessment of bidders’ experience in developing and operating solar projects during the previous seven years. The three projects are aimed at utilizing vacant defence land for renewable energy generation while bringing central public sector entities into the development and long-term operation of solar infrastructure.
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