Dilip Buildcon has been declared as the L-1 bidder for REC Power Development and Consultancy’s (RECPDCL) auction to set up an intrastate transmission system (InSTS) to establish a 400 kV substation and associated transmission lines in Karnataka’s Belagavi district on a build, own, operate basis. It will acquire a 100% stake in RECPDCL’s project special purpose vehicle.

The tender was floated on April 30, 2025.

The contract’s period is for 35 years. The project’s estimated cost is ₹18.5 billion (~$205.76 million).

Dilip Buildon must design, engineer, construct, erect, test, and commission the project. The company must also supply the project’s equipment and materials and provide operation and maintenance services.

Additionally, Dilip Buildcon’s scope of work includes undertaking the project’s site survey, preparing a detailed project report, arranging financing, providing project management, obtaining the necessary consents, clearances, and permits, and providing the project land.

Most of the 220 kV substations in the Belagavi and Bagalkot districts are fed from the 2X500 MVA, 400/220 kV Narendra substation. A new 400/220 kV substation has been proposed to relieve the 400/220 kV Narendra substation and its surrounding lines and to ensure reliable evacuation of the existing and proposed wind, solar, and cogeneration energy.

Dilip Buildcon must establish a 2X500 MVA, 400/220/33 kV air-insulated substation at Mekhali village. It must also obtain a transmission license from the state regulatory commission.

Apart from Dilip Buildcon, Adani Energy Solutions, KCC Buildcon, Montecarlo, Power Grid Corporation of India, and Resonia, qualified in the technical bidding round.

The Government of Karnataka has appointed RECPDCL as the Bid Process Coordinator (BPC) for selecting a Transmission Service Provider (TSP) to develop an intra-state transmission project in Karnataka through tariff-based competitive bidding.

RECPDCL had invited bids from eligible entities. The selected bidder will become the TSP and will be responsible for implementing the project and making the transmission system available for use against transmission charges, to be paid in accordance with the Transmission Service Agreement and applicable Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations, as amended from time to time.

Recently, Dilip Buildcon was among the winners of the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam’s 4.3 GW solar auction to develop projects under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan program. In October, Dilip Buildcon, through its joint venture with DBL-APMPL, won Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam’s auction for developing a 100 MW solar project at Madhya Pradesh’s Ramnagar and Dhanwada villages. The project will supply power at ₹2.09/kWh for 25 years.

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