Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a tender for selection of Solar Power Developers (SPDs) to set up 700 MW of ISTS-connected Solar PV Power Projects in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) or areas designated as Export Oriented Units (EOUs) across India. The projects will be developed under the Build Own Operate (BOO) model through tariff-based competitive bidding.
Under the tender, SECI will procure the generated solar power and subsequently sell it on a back-to-back basis to an identified Commercial and Industrial (C&I) consumer with an EOU in Odisha. SECI has stated that the details of the Buying Entity will be intimated at a later stage. The identified C&I consumer intends to use the renewable electricity for producing green hydrogen and/or green ammonia under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
700 MW Capacity Through Solar Tender
The total capacity to be awarded under the solar tender is 700 MW. The bidding will follow a single-stage, two-envelope process, comprising techno-commercial evaluation followed by financial evaluation and an e-Reverse Auction.
A bidder can offer:
- Minimum contracted capacity: 50 MW
- Maximum contracted capacity: 700 MW
- Capacity must be quoted in multiples of 10 MW
A bidder, including its Parent, Affiliate, Ultimate Parent or Group Company, can receive a cumulative allocation of up to 700 MW.
The projects will be located in SEZs or EOU-designated areas selected by the developer. A single project may also be spread across multiple locations with different delivery points. The developer will be responsible for land, project development, statutory approvals, connectivity and the transmission network up to the interconnection/delivery point.
Odisha C&I Demand Drives Tender Structure
A key feature of the 700 MW solar tender is its linkage to a specific industrial power requirement in Odisha.
SECI will act as an intermediary procurer. Power generated by the selected projects will be purchased by SECI under a 25-year PPA and subsequently supplied to the designated C&I Buying Entity through back-to-back Power Sale Agreements.
The tender document states that the Buying Entity intends to use the solar power for green hydrogen and/or green ammonia production, connecting the procurement directly with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
ALMM Exemption for SEZ/EOU Projects
The projects will be established under the SEZ/EOU framework to supply power to the Odisha-based Buying Entity. According to the RfS, this structure allows the projects to avail exemption from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) requirements, in accordance with the applicable MNRE provisions.
The exemption is specifically linked to the SEZ/EOU framework and the intended supply arrangement; it should therefore not be interpreted as a blanket ALMM exemption for all projects outside these conditions.
Connectivity and Project Development
The solar projects must connect to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), with a minimum interconnection voltage level of 220 kV. Developers can select suitable ISTS substations on a pan-India basis, subject to the connectivity conditions specified by SECI.
The developer will bear the costs associated with transmission up to the interconnection point, including construction, maintenance, applicable charges and losses up to that point. The Buying Entity will be responsible for transmission charges and losses beyond the Delivery Point up to the drawal point.
The Start Date of Connectivity at the selected delivery point must be on or before December 31, 2028, or within 24 months from the PPA Effective Date, whichever is earlier.
25-Year PPA and Generation Requirement
SECI will execute PPAs with successful bidders for 25 years from the Scheduled Commencement of Supply Date (SCSD). Full power supply is scheduled to commence 24 months from the Effective Date of the PPA, with a maximum additional period of three months available subject to applicable penalties.
Developers must declare the project’s annual Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) at the bidding stage. The declared CUF cannot be below 25%, and generation must remain within +10% and -15% of the declared CUF, subject to the provisions of the RfS and PPA.
Financial Requirements for Bidders
The tender also sets specific financial qualification thresholds.
Bidders must demonstrate:
- Net worth: At least ₹80 lakh/MW of quoted contracted capacity.
- Annual turnover: At least ₹37.2555 lakh/MW, or
- PBDIT: At least ₹7.4511 lakh/MW, or
- In-principle bank credit line: At least ₹9.3139 lakh/MW towards working-capital requirements.
The financial criteria can, subject to the RfS provisions, also be met using the financial capability of eligible affiliates.
EMD, PBG and Tender Fees
The solar tender carries an EMD of ₹8 lakh/MW/project, which can be submitted through a Bank Guarantee, Payment on Order Instrument (POI) or Insurance Surety Bond.
Successful bidders must subsequently provide a Performance Bank Guarantee of ₹20 lakh/MW/project before signing the PPA.
Other applicable charges include:
- RfS document fee: ₹50,000 + applicable GST
- Bid processing fee: ₹20 lakh + applicable GST
- Success charge: ₹1 lakh/MW + applicable taxes on awarded capacity.
Bid Timeline of SECI SOLAR TENDER
SECI’s official tender portal lists the following schedule:
Particular Date
- Tender publication September 3, 2026
- Pre-bid meeting September 14, 2026, 2:30 PM
- Online bid submission deadline October 5, 2026, 6:00 PM
- Offline bid submission deadline October 7, 2026, 6:00 PM
- Bid opening October 8, 2026, 10:00 AM
The e-Reverse Auction date and time will be communicated separately to eligible bidders.
Overall, this 700 MW solar tender links large-scale renewable generation with a defined industrial consumption requirement, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia production. The combination of SEZ/EOU eligibility, an ALMM exemption under the specified framework, long-term offtake and ISTS connectivity makes the tender significant for developers targeting India’s emerging C&I renewable-energy and green-molecule market.
| Capacity | 700 MW (minimum 50 MW; maximum 700 MW) |
| Location | India — SEZs/EOUs; solar power to an EOU-based buyer in Odisha |
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