Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a request for selection (RfS) for the development of 700 MW of inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar projects in India. The projects will be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding. The bid submission deadline is October 5, 2026.
According to the tender guidelines, the scope of work requires the developer to develop ISTS-connected solar projects in special economic zones (SEZs) or areas designated as export-oriented units (EOUs), including the transmission network up to the ISTS substation. The developer will be responsible for land identification, project installation and ownership, obtaining required licences and approvals, and securing connectivity and interconnection with the ISTS network. Additionally, the developer will be solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining SEZ or EOU status in accordance with India’s Foreign Trade Policy and the Customs Act, 1962. The projects will supply solar power to a commercial and industrial (C&I) buying entity having an EOU in Odisha.
According to the financial criteria, the bidders are required to have a net worth of at least Rs 8 million per MW of the quoted contracted capacity, as of the end of financial year 2025-26 or at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline. The net worth may include the cumulative net worth of the bidding company or consortium and eligible affiliates undertaking to provide the required equity funding and performance security. Moreover, the bidders will be required to pay a document fee of Rs 50,000 and a bid processing fee of Rs 2 million. An earnest money deposit of Rs 0.8 million per MW per project must be submitted in the form of a bank guarantee, payment on instrument, or surety bond along with the response to the RfS.
