REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) has invited bids to set up an interstate transmission system (ISTS) to evacuate power from 5 GW of green hydrogen projects in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The last date to submit bids is April 7, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders must furnish a bid bond of ₹787 million (~$8.71 million) and a contract performance guarantee of ₹1.97 billion (~$21.76 million).

The scope of work covers the establishment of a 4×1,500 MVA, 765/400 kV GIS substation at Pendurthi, with 1×330 MVAr (765 kV) bus reactor and space provision for a 220 kV switchyard.

It also entails the setup of a 300 MVAr STATCOM with 2×125 MVAr MSC at the Pendurthi GIS, with a control switching arrangement for the proposed 1×330 MVAr bus reactor.

Successful bidders must establish the Pendurthi–Srikakulam 765 kV double-circuit transmission line, with 330 MVAr switchable line reactors (convertible) installed at the Srikakulam end on both circuits. T

The scope also includes the line-in-line-out of the Kalpakka–Maradam 400 kV (quad) double-circuit line at Pendurthi, along with the establishment of a 3×1,500 MVA, 765/400 kV Khammam-II substation featuring a 1×330 MVAr (765 kV) bus reactor and space provision for a 220 kV switchyard.

Included in the scope is the establishment of the Khammam-II – Warangal New 765 kV double-circuit line, the Khammam-II – Pendurthi 765 kV double-circuit line with 330 MVAr switchable line reactors (convertible) at both ends on both circuits, and the Khammam-II – Khammam 400 kV (quad) double-circuit line.

It also covers the design, engineering, equipment supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the project.

Successful bidders must also provide for the establishment and operation and maintenance of the project under a build-own-operate-transfer model.

They must conduct surveys, prepare a detailed project report, arrange financing, manage the project, and secure clearances and permits.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has identified 5 GW of demand for green hydrogen/green ammonia projects in the Visakhapatnam  area and 6 GW in the Kakinada area. The areas are also expected to see a surge in data centers, further driving demand.

The project must be completed within 30 months.

Successful bidders must have developed projects in the infrastructure sector in the last five years with an aggregate capital expenditure of at least ₹39.35 billion (~$435.32 million). Each project must have received capital expenditure of at least ₹7.87 billion (~$87.07 million).

Alternatively, bidders must have developed infrastructure projects over the last five financial years that have received aggregate payments of at least ₹39.35 billion (~$435.32 million), with each project valued at a minimum of ₹7.87 billion (~$87.07 million).

Bidders must also have a net worth of at least ₹15.74 billion (~$174.14 million) over the last three financial years.

Last year, RECPDCL invited bids to set up an ISTS to integrate 3 GW of renewable energy at the Ananthapuram-II Renewable Energy Zone (Phase-II) in Andhra Pradesh.

Recently, it also invited bids to set up an ISTS to evacuate 6 GW of solar power from the Barmer-II pooling substation in Rajasthan.