SECI Invites Bids for 1,000 MW Round-the-Clock Thermal Mimic Renewable Power
Solar Energy Corporation of India has issued a tender to procure 1,000 MW of Round-the-Clock Thermal Mimic (RTC-TM) renewable power from ISTS-connected projects integrated with energy storage systems in India. Bid submission ends on May 4, 2026.
March 12, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
The RE Power Developer (RPD) shall be required to set up ISTS-connected RE power project(s) with an energy storage system (ESS), including the transmission network up to the interconnection/delivery point(s), with the primary objective of supplying RE power to SECI. Land and connectivity shall be in the scope of the RE Power Developer.
Bidders need to pay INR 59,000 as a tender document fee. Further, they need to deposit a bid processing fee of INR 20,000/MW (plus GST), subject to a maximum of INR 20 lakh (plus GST). They also need to furnish an earnest money deposit of a cumulative of INR 9.54 lakh/MW for the solar component, INR 13.32 lakh/MW for the wind component and approximately INR 2.35 lakh/MWh for the energy storage component.
Selected bidders must deposit a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of a cumulative of INR 23.85 lakh/MW for the solar component, INR 33.30 lakh/MW for the wind component and approximately INR 5.89 lakh/MWh for the energy storage component.
The last date for submission of bids online is May 4, 2026. The techno-commercial bids will be opened on May 7, 2026.
A bidder can submit bids for a minimum capacity of 100 MW and a maximum capacity of 500 MW.
The procurement will be measured in power capacity (MW), and the Renewable Power Developer (RPD) must supply renewable energy on a round-the-clock basis while maintaining specific Demand Fulfilment Ratios (DFR). The RPD is required to maintain a minimum DFR of 90 percent in each time block during peak hours and 80 percent in each time block during off-peak hours. However, the developer may designate any two full calendar months between July and September during which the minimum DFR for off-peak hours can be reduced to 70 percent, provided written notice is given to the buying entity by May 31 of that year. Overall, the project must maintain a minimum annual DFR of 90 percent.
RE Projects are required to be designed for interconnection with the ISTS substation at a voltage level of 220 kV or above. However, for the STU/InSTS connected project, the voltage level may be as per the concerned State Regulations, the tender noted.
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) shall mandatorily constitute part of the Project. “It is clarified that ESS charged using a source other than RE power would not qualify as RE power. For avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby clarified that ESS may be owned by the RPD or may be tied up separately with a third party by the RPD, for the supply of power,” noted the tender.
A bidder quoting for ‘X’ MW of contracted capacity must demonstrate prior project experience. The bidder should have successfully commissioned renewable energy projects within the last seven years (as of the bid submission deadline). This requirement can be met in any one of three ways: by commissioning one RE project with a capacity of at least 4X/5 MW, or two RE projects each with a capacity of at least X/2 MW, or three RE projects each with a capacity of at least 2X/5 MW.
The bidder, in FY25, must have a net worth of a cumulative of INR 95.40 lakh/MW for the solar component, INR 133.20 lakh/MW for the wind component and approximately INR 23.545 lakh/MWh for the energy storage component.
Further, the bidder must have an annual turnover equivalent to at least INR 4 crore/MW of the quoted capacity, in FY25 or at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline. Alternatively, the bidder must demonstrate Internal resource generation capability, in the form of Profit Before Depreciation Interest and Taxes (PBDIT) of at least INR 80 lakh/MW or produce an in-principle sanction letter from the lending institutions/ banks of the bidder, committing a Line of Credit for a minimum amount of INR 1 crore/MW of the quoted contracted capacity, towards meeting the working capital requirement of the project.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
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