Defence Estates Office Floats Tender For 25 MW Solar Power Plant At Bobbili Airfield In Andhra Pradesh

The Defence Estates Officer, Visakhapatnam Circle, under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has invited bids for the development of a 25 MW solar power plant at Bobbili Airfield in Andhra Pradesh. The tender, issued under Tender Notice No. 2026_DGDE_927248, proposes development across land covering about 100 acres in Mugada, Peddapalli, Badangi, Koduru, Palteru, Ramchandrapuram, and Mallampeta villages.

The project will be implemented under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) model. Participation is restricted to Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Central Government Statutory Bodies. Eligible entities can participate individually or as the lead member of a consortium comprising two entities. Private sector entities are not permitted to participate in the consortium.

The successful bidder will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will serve as the concessionaire for the project. The concessionaire will be responsible for designing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the solar power plant. The Commercial Operation Date (COD) is required to be achieved within 24 months from the Appointed Date. Following COD, the project will have an operation and maintenance period of 25 years.

Under the proposed commercial structure, the concessionaire will share revenue with the Authority based on the quantity of solar electricity generated and supplied from the COD. The lead CPSU or Central Government Statutory Body will be required to retain at least 51% equity ownership and voting rights throughout the concession period.

Bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 1 crore through an irrevocable bank guarantee issued by a scheduled bank and payable at Visakhapatnam. A non-refundable bid document fee of INR 10,000 must also be paid through RTGS or NEFT. The successful bidder will have to furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee of INR 10 crore before signing the agreement. The PBG represents 10% of the tentative project cost of INR 100 crore.

The RFP was issued on September 22, 2026, while the site visit is scheduled for September 30. Bidders can submit queries until October 1, followed by the pre-bid meeting on October 2 at 11:00 AM at the Defence Estates Office, Visakhapatnam. Responses to queries and any addendum are scheduled for October 7.

The deadline for bid submission is October 22, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Qualification proposals will be opened on October 23, with qualified bidders expected to be notified on October 29. Financial proposals will be opened on October 30.

The tender will follow a single-stage, two-cover e-tendering process through the Central Public Procurement Portal. Bids must remain valid for 180 days from the bid due date, while the EMD must remain valid for an additional 30 days. The concession agreement is required to be executed within 60 days of the Letter of Award.