The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender to select developers for the assured peak supply of 4,800 MWh (1,200 MW X 4 hours) of firm and dispatchable renewable energy from interstate transmission system-connected projects with co-located energy storage systems (FDRE-IX).

The last day to submit bids is July 20, 2026. Bids will be opened on July 23.

Bidders must pay a non-refundable document fee of ₹50,000 (~$525.10) plus applicable GST. They must also pay a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 (~$210.04)/MW plus applicable GST, subject to a ceiling of ₹2 million (~$21,003.99) plus applicable GST.

The earnest money deposit must be calculated based on the rated installed capacity of the project components. It will be: (₹968,000 (~$10,165.93)/MW x installed solar capacity; ₹1.37 million (~$14,366.73)/MW x installed wind capacity; and ₹240,000 (~$2,520.48)/MWh x installed energy storage capacity).

The performance bank guarantee will also be based on the installed capacity of each component. It will be: (₹2.42 million (~$25,414.83)/MW x rated installed solar capacity, ₹3.42 million (~$35,916.82)/MW x rated installed wind capacity and other renewable energy sources, and ₹600,000 (~$6,301.20)/MWh x rated installed energy storage capacity).

Selected bidders must pay success charges of ₹100,000 (~$1,050.20)/MW plus applicable taxes, corresponding to the installed capacity committed under the power purchase agreement.

The minimum cumulative contracted capacity a bidder can offer is 50 MW, and the maximum is 600 MW. The cumulative contracted capacity allocated to a bidder, including its parent, affiliate, ultimate parent, or group company, will be limited to 600 MW.

The renewable energy generating component and energy storage system must be co-located for each project. The project can be located anywhere in India. The installed capacity of the renewable energy component can be lower than, equal to, or higher than the contracted capacity.

The energy storage system must form part of the project. SECI has clarified that energy storage systems charged with non-renewable energy will not qualify as renewable energy power. The storage system may be owned by the renewable energy power developer or tied up separately with a third party.

The projects will supply power to SECI for 25 years under a power purchase agreement. SECI will sell the power to buying entities on a back-to-back basis.

The buying entity will choose four hours during peak periods each day to draw power. The developer must deliver 4,000 kWh of energy per MW of contracted capacity during peak hours daily. For every 100 MW of contracted capacity, the developer must supply up to 400,000 kWh during peak hours.

The buying entity must offtake energy during peak hours at a rate of 4 MWh per 1 MW of contracted capacity. The energy to be offtaken in any hour will be 1 MWh for every 1 MW of contracted capacity.

Any shortfall in peak power supply will attract a penalty. A shortfall of more than10% of the monthly energy requirement during peak hours will attract a penalty equal to 1.5 times the PPA tariff for the shortfall quantum.

The developer must offer power such that 100% of the annual energy supplied is renewable. However, it may source up to 5% of its annual renewable energy from green market sources or through bilateral agreements outside the PPA to meet supply obligations.

Developers may use the energy storage system for other applications, including third-party sale or sale on power exchanges, outside peak hours, and within the available connectivity. However, supply obligations under the PPA will get priority.

If a developer sells power to third parties while PPA supply commitments remain unmet, it will be liable to pay a penalty of 1.5 times the applicable market rate for the quantum sold. This will be in addition to the penalty for shortfall in peak-hour supply.

Renewable energy, including storage charged with renewable energy, will be eligible for compliance with the renewable purchase obligation. The storage capacity used in the project can also be used by the buying entity to meet energy storage obligations, if applicable.

The scheduled commencement of supply date will be 18 months from the effective date of the PPA.

To qualify financially, bidders must meet the net-worth requirement based on the installed capacity breakdown. The minimum net worth requirement is ₹9.68 million (~$101,659.32)/MW for solar photovoltaic capacity, ₹13.68 million (~$143,667.30)/MW for wind and other renewable energy sources, and ₹2.4 million (~$25,204.79)/MWh for energy storage capacity.

Bidders must also demonstrate liquidity through one of three routes: minimum annual turnover of ₹8.24 million (~$86,583.70)/MW of quoted contracted capacity, internal resource generation capability of ₹1.64 million (~$17,316.74)/MW, or an in-principle line of credit of ₹2.06 million (~$21,645.93)/MW.

Solar modules and cells used in the projects must be from models and manufacturers included in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, Lists I and II.

Wind turbines must be from models listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

In December, SECI invited bids from renewable energy developers to supply 1,000 MW of excess power from projects with existing medium-term power purchase agreements (FDRE-VIII).

Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker to stay on top of real-time tender activity.