Coal India Invites Bids for 875 MW Solar Project at RVUNL’s Bikaner Solar Park

In a significant move toward India’s green energy ambitions, Coal India Ltd. (CIL), has invited bids for the engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance of an 875 MW (AC) grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Rajasthan.

The project, to be developed on a turnkey basis, will be located at the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL)’s 2000 MW solar park in Pugal Tehsil of Bikaner district. Along with project commissioning, the selected bidder will also be responsible for two years of comprehensive operation and maintenance services.

This tender, floated under a Single Stage Two-Part online bidding system, is open only to Indian firms registered within the country under the category of 'Domestic Competitive Bidding'.  Interested bidders must submit proposals online via the Coal India e-tender portal. The procurement will be financed through a mix of domestic funding and internal financial resources, as outlined in the Bid Data Sheet.

The scope of work under this tender is extensive and includes design, engineering, and procurement of all materials and equipment, including PV modules. The successful bidder will also manage transport, insurance, storage, civil works, installation, testing, grid synchronisation, and final commissioning. Specific responsibilities also include the construction of site infrastructure like internal roads, stormwater drainage, cleaning passages, and fire protection systems, along with the supply of all mandatory spares and specialised tools.

As per tender documents, the total PV module procurement must be at least 1,182 MWp, excluding spare components. The power plant is expected to meet a minimum Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of 25 percent at delivery, translating into a minimum net electrical energy generation guarantee of approximately 1.916 billion units during the first year of operation. 

The commissioning period is pegged at 24 months from the date of the notice inviting tender, with a further six-month cushion in case of delays linked to the associated RVPN transmission system. The operation and maintenance commitment begins from the date of commissioning or operational acceptance, whichever is later, and will extend for a full two-year cycle.

Eligibility for participation in this tender is governed by strict technical and financial criteria. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum average annual financial turnover of INR 1,263 crore during the last three financial years ending March 31, 2025. Additionally, the net worth of participating entities must be at least INR 421 crore, based on their latest audited financial statements. Financial credentials must be certified by a practicing Chartered Accountant with a valid UDIN, while international partners must submit certificates compliant with IFRS and verified by relevant embassies or high commissions.

On the technical front, bidders must have prior experience in executing or developing solar projects aggregating at least 175 MW (AC) over the last ten years, with individual projects of no less than 44 MW (AC). These projects must have been in satisfactory commercial operation for a minimum of six months before the date of bid submission, and bidders are required to furnish commissioning certificates as proof of compliance.

The tender is part of a broader roadmap by Coal India to diversify into renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. The company aims to build a total of 5 GW of renewable capacity by FY 2028-29. Toward this goal, Coal India and RVUNL have jointly floated a subsidiary named Rajasthan Akshay Urja Ltd., which was officially incorporated on June 9, 2025. The Pugal project represents the first and largest development under this new joint venture and signifies Coal India’s strong entry into utility-scale solar power.